Land Rover Defender L663
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Defender L663 marked a radical break with the past in 2020: instead of a ladder frame it uses a self-supporting monocoque body for the first time. What was once a spartan work tool has become a modern, comfortable lifestyle SUV in the large off-roader segment — one that has kept its genuine off-road ability but is sold mainly as a rugged family and leisure all-rounder. Its market position sits between affordable premium and luxury, and with the switch to complex monocoque electronics the Defender has also inherited the classic Land Rover reliability concerns.
Engine advice is clear-cut. The Ingenium straight-six diesel (DT306) with 48-volt mild hybrid is the smoothest, most capable powerplant and the sensible choice for high-mileage drivers and towing. The four-cylinder diesel (204DT), by contrast, shares the well-known Ingenium weakness of the wet-running timing chain that stretches prematurely — and in a heavy off-roader it feels somewhat strained, making it the weakest option. On the petrol side the straight-six (PT306) is clearly preferable to the four-cylinder (PT204), which also suffers timing chain stretch and thermostat housing leaks. The plug-in hybrid (PT306-PHEV">PT306-PHEV) brings the usual PHEV concerns (battery capacity, oil dilution). The V8 flagship with the bought-in BMW twin-turbo (S68B44B) makes 500 to 635 hp, is fundamentally solid as a fun machine, but oil consumption and turbo oil supply need watching.
The biggest problem areas on this model are the build quality and electronics of the early years. Water ingress into the passenger footwell and at the A-pillar is a known issue, as is the sagging rear door with a worn hinge and wind noise from the door seals. The Pivi Pro infotainment freezes and restarts. Add front-axle brake squeal, the usual air suspension candidates (compressor, ride height sensors) and — thanks to the chip shortage of the production years — some missing standard equipment. The early D250/D300 diesels also showed electrical injector faults.
When buying, the build year is worth checking: later cars have put many teething troubles behind them. Inspect the passenger footwell thoroughly for damp, check the rear door for sag, cycle the air suspension several times and confirm the software and recall status. Bottom line: a characterful SUV that is both off-road capable and usable day to day, one that cuts a fine figure with the right six-cylinder and a later build year — while the early years and the small four-cylinder diesel demand patience and a repair budget.
635 PS
Defender V8 P635 · Benzin
Defender V8 P635: brute force on four wheels
Legendary!400 PS
3.0L Ingenium I6 Benzin Turbo Benzin
6 weaknesses
Stay Away!Engine Overview
The Land Rover Defender L663 is available with 9 engine variants — from 200 to 635 hp.
This 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel belongs to the Ingenium family and inherits its well-known weak points: the wet-running timing chain frequently stretches early and announces itself with a cold-start rattle, so acting promptly heads off expensive consequential damage. Frequent particulate-filter regenerations dilute the engine oil under a short-trip profile, accelerating wear — shortened oil-change intervals are therefore essential. The turbocharger is another known failure candidate, and a coolant leak at the piston-cooling valve can get costly. Strong and torquey, but only durable long-term with meticulous oil care.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 90,000 km
Identical issue to the 204DTD: timing chain stretches prematurely due to worn plastic guides. Same base engine, same structural weaknesses.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, power loss, fault codes P0016 or P0341 - !! Oil dilution from DPF regeneration from 30,000 km
Base engine 204DTD: incomplete DPF regeneration cycles allow fuel to drain into the sump. Short trips in the Defender increase the risk of incomplete regenerations.
Symptoms: Early service warning, oil level above max mark, fuel smell in oil - !! Turbocharger failure from 100,000 km
Same base engine as 204DTD: turbocharger failure due to oil dilution-related lubrication degradation and plastic debris from timing chain guides.
Symptoms: Blue or black exhaust smoke, whistling noise, severe power loss
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel belongs to the Ingenium family and inherits its well-known weak points: the wet-running timing chain frequently stretches early and announces itself with a cold-start rattle, so acting promptly heads off expensive consequential damage. Frequent particulate-filter regenerations dilute the engine oil under a short-trip profile, accelerating wear — shortened oil-change intervals are therefore essential. The turbocharger is another known failure candidate, and a coolant leak at the piston-cooling valve can get costly. Strong and torquey, but only durable long-term with meticulous oil care.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 90,000 km
Identical issue to the 204DTD: timing chain stretches prematurely due to worn plastic guides. Same base engine, same structural weaknesses.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, power loss, fault codes P0016 or P0341 - !! Oil dilution from DPF regeneration from 30,000 km
Base engine 204DTD: incomplete DPF regeneration cycles allow fuel to drain into the sump. Short trips in the Defender increase the risk of incomplete regenerations.
Symptoms: Early service warning, oil level above max mark, fuel smell in oil - !! Turbocharger failure from 100,000 km
Same base engine as 204DTD: turbocharger failure due to oil dilution-related lubrication degradation and plastic debris from timing chain guides.
Symptoms: Blue or black exhaust smoke, whistling noise, severe power loss
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This 3.0-litre inline-six diesel from the Ingenium range runs a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and is noticeably smoother and more refined than the four-cylinder diesel. The key concern is recall N908: the oil filter housing can crack and poses a fire risk — its status must be verified before purchase, no exceptions. The turbo actuator is a known failure, the EGR system cokes up, and the particulate filter clogs under predominantly short-trip use. On the mild-hybrid side the DC-DC converter is the usual weak link, alongside occasional injector failures. A commanding straight-six that demands a clean service history and a confirmed recall status.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This 3.0-litre inline-six diesel from the Ingenium range runs a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and is noticeably smoother and more refined than the four-cylinder diesel. The key concern is recall N908: the oil filter housing can crack and poses a fire risk — its status must be verified before purchase, no exceptions. The turbo actuator is a known failure, the EGR system cokes up, and the particulate filter clogs under predominantly short-trip use. On the mild-hybrid side the DC-DC converter is the usual weak link, alongside occasional injector failures. A commanding straight-six that demands a clean service history and a confirmed recall status.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This 3.0-litre inline-six diesel from the Ingenium range runs a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and is noticeably smoother and more refined than the four-cylinder diesel. The key concern is recall N908: the oil filter housing can crack and poses a fire risk — its status must be verified before purchase, no exceptions. The turbo actuator is a known failure, the EGR system cokes up, and the particulate filter clogs under predominantly short-trip use. On the mild-hybrid side the DC-DC converter is the usual weak link, alongside occasional injector failures. A commanding straight-six that demands a clean service history and a confirmed recall status.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil under pressure onto hot components such as the turbocharger. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles after parking, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger actuator failure from 80,000 km
The DT306 electronic turbocharger actuator develops faults from overheating and deposits. Repair is labour-intensive due to the engine layout.
Symptoms: Power loss, engine warning light, uneven acceleration, delayed turbo response - !! Injector failure from 150,000 km
The DT306 common rail injectors can fail from fuel contamination and internal wear. On the inline-six diesel all 6 injectors are affected.
Symptoms: Rough idle, diesel knock, black smoke, misfires, engine warning light
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This supplied 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 replaces the old supercharged V8 and delivers a massive 500 to 635 hp with brutal, linear thrust — a modern high-output engine with maintenance demands to match. The critical concerns are a tendency toward raised oil consumption and the two turbochargers, which suffer if oil is low or changes are skipped; meticulous oil supply is essential here. The cooling system works hard, so leaks and overheating risk must be taken seriously, and there are occasional sensor and electrical faults as well as injector issues. In this application the engine is still young, so long-term reliability cannot yet be judged conclusively — close, regular servicing is a prerequisite.
- !! Turbocharger problems from oil starvation from 100,000 km
The S68 twin-turbo setup can develop bearing damage with insufficient lubrication. Oil starvation is a frequent cause, especially with hot-soaking after hard driving without a cool-down period.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, unusual noises, power loss, whistling noise - !! Cooling system leak and overheating risk from 80,000 km
The S68 cooling system is complex and can develop leaks at hoses, thermostat and radiator. Overheating damage is particularly serious given the high power output.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, temperature warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Elevated oil consumption from 60,000 km
The BMW S68 V8 biturbo exhibits elevated oil consumption on some units as a known characteristic. Regular oil level checks between oil changes are mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil level drops between service intervals, occasional bluish smoke
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol from the Ingenium family makes around 300 hp depending on tune and pulls well, but it can feel strained hauling a heavy off-roader and drinks accordingly. Mechanically it carries the family's known weak spots: the timing chain stretches early, and a rattle on cold start is the first warning sign — act promptly before the chain jumps. The plastic thermostat housing tends to weep coolant, and the turbocharger can fail prematurely if oil changes are neglected. Before buying, check the oil-service history and listen for cold-start noise while watching for coolant loss.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 85,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: timing chain stretches prematurely from worn plastic guides. In the Defender the high vehicle weight places extra strain on the drivetrain.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, rough idle - !! Thermostat housing leak from 70,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: thermostat housing prone to coolant leaks. Coolant can secondarily damage the piston cooling valve.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, fluctuating engine temperature, steam from the engine bay - !! Turbocharger failure from 110,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: turbocharger failure from oil starvation. The PT204 had a short production run in the Defender (2020–2021) but is structurally identical to 204PT problems.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, power loss, oil warning light, bluish smoke
This 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol from the Ingenium family makes around 300 hp depending on tune and pulls well, but it can feel strained hauling a heavy off-roader and drinks accordingly. Mechanically it carries the family's known weak spots: the timing chain stretches early, and a rattle on cold start is the first warning sign — act promptly before the chain jumps. The plastic thermostat housing tends to weep coolant, and the turbocharger can fail prematurely if oil changes are neglected. Before buying, check the oil-service history and listen for cold-start noise while watching for coolant loss.
- !! Timing chain stretches prematurely from 85,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: timing chain stretches prematurely from worn plastic guides. In the Defender the high vehicle weight places extra strain on the drivetrain.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, engine warning light, rough idle - !! Thermostat housing leak from 70,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: thermostat housing prone to coolant leaks. Coolant can secondarily damage the piston cooling valve.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, fluctuating engine temperature, steam from the engine bay - !! Turbocharger failure from 110,000 km
Same base engine as 204PT: turbocharger failure from oil starvation. The PT204 had a short production run in the Defender (2020–2021) but is structurally identical to 204PT problems.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, power loss, oil warning light, bluish smoke
This 3.0-litre inline-six turbo petrol with 48-volt mild-hybrid assist is regarded as the most polished modern JLR engine: smooth, strong and effortless with a healthy 340 to 400 hp on tap. The critical item is recall N908 — the oil filter housing can crack and pose a fire risk, so confirm the remedy was carried out. Beyond that, a timing chain rattle can develop over time, oil consumption may creep up, and the turbocharger, water pump and thermostat are typical wear points. The 48V DC-DC converter fails occasionally. Regular oil changes and a short cool-down after spirited driving noticeably extend its life.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the Ingenium I6 3.0L petrol oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray engine oil onto hot components. Fire risk. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Visible oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, in severe cases smoke or fire - !! Timing chain — rattle and wear from 120,000 km
The PT306 inline-six shows timing chain wear with rattling on cold start. Although more robust than the 2.0L four-cylinder, wear and tensioner issues are documented at higher mileages.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling on cold start, rough idle, engine warning light with camshaft correlation errors - !! Turbocharger bearing and seal wear from 120,000 km
PT306 turbochargers develop bearing wear and oil blow-by particularly with insufficient oil change intervals. Allow cool-down time after spirited driving.
Symptoms: Whistling or howling noise, smoke from exhaust, power loss, elevated oil consumption
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Here the 3.0-litre inline-six turbo petrol works as a plug-in hybrid with an electric motor, producing roughly 400 to 550 hp of system output depending on spec — strong and pleasantly quiet in electric mode. The combustion-side weaknesses mirror the family: confirm that recall N908 on the oil filter housing, which carries a fire risk, has been done, and keep an eye on turbocharger wear. Hybrid-specific issues add up: occasional refusal of EV mode, gradual loss of high-voltage battery capacity, and above all oil dilution when the engine mostly runs cold and briefly. Owners who drive mainly on electric should warm the engine regularly and shorten oil-change intervals.
- !! Recall N908: oil filter housing — fire risk
Incorrect plastic specification for the I6 3.0L PHEV oil filter housing. The housing can crack and spray oil onto hot components. Recall N908.
Symptoms: Oil leak, oil puddles, oil warning light, smoke or fire - !! Turbocharger wear from 120,000 km
Same base engine as PT306: turbocharger wear from insufficient lubrication. In PHEV mode the combustion engine often starts cold, which damages the turbo without pre-lubrication.
Symptoms: Whistling noise under acceleration, power loss in hybrid mode, smoke - !! PHEV: EV mode unavailable
Frequent malfunction: the system refuses EV operation with the message "EV temporarily unavailable". Cause is often a faulty HV coolant heater or defective battery control modules.
Symptoms: EV temporarily unavailable message, system switches to hybrid mode unintentionally
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This supplied 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 replaces the old supercharged V8 and delivers a massive 500 to 635 hp with brutal, linear thrust — a modern high-output engine with maintenance demands to match. The critical concerns are a tendency toward raised oil consumption and the two turbochargers, which suffer if oil is low or changes are skipped; meticulous oil supply is essential here. The cooling system works hard, so leaks and overheating risk must be taken seriously, and there are occasional sensor and electrical faults as well as injector issues. In this application the engine is still young, so long-term reliability cannot yet be judged conclusively — close, regular servicing is a prerequisite.
- !! Turbocharger problems from oil starvation from 100,000 km
The S68 twin-turbo setup can develop bearing damage with insufficient lubrication. Oil starvation is a frequent cause, especially with hot-soaking after hard driving without a cool-down period.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, unusual noises, power loss, whistling noise - !! Cooling system leak and overheating risk from 80,000 km
The S68 cooling system is complex and can develop leaks at hoses, thermostat and radiator. Overheating damage is particularly serious given the high power output.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, temperature warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Elevated oil consumption from 60,000 km
The BMW S68 V8 biturbo exhibits elevated oil consumption on some units as a known characteristic. Regular oil level checks between oil changes are mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil level drops between service intervals, occasional bluish smoke
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This supplied 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 replaces the old supercharged V8 and delivers a massive 500 to 635 hp with brutal, linear thrust — a modern high-output engine with maintenance demands to match. The critical concerns are a tendency toward raised oil consumption and the two turbochargers, which suffer if oil is low or changes are skipped; meticulous oil supply is essential here. The cooling system works hard, so leaks and overheating risk must be taken seriously, and there are occasional sensor and electrical faults as well as injector issues. In this application the engine is still young, so long-term reliability cannot yet be judged conclusively — close, regular servicing is a prerequisite.
- !! Turbocharger problems from oil starvation from 100,000 km
The S68 twin-turbo setup can develop bearing damage with insufficient lubrication. Oil starvation is a frequent cause, especially with hot-soaking after hard driving without a cool-down period.
Symptoms: Turbo lag, unusual noises, power loss, whistling noise - !! Cooling system leak and overheating risk from 80,000 km
The S68 cooling system is complex and can develop leaks at hoses, thermostat and radiator. Overheating damage is particularly serious given the high power output.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, temperature warning, steam from the engine bay - !! Elevated oil consumption from 60,000 km
The BMW S68 V8 biturbo exhibits elevated oil consumption on some units as a known characteristic. Regular oil level checks between oil changes are mandatory.
Symptoms: Oil level drops between service intervals, occasional bluish smoke
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Pivi Pro infotainment: freezing and rebooting Pivi Pro system freezes while driving or spontaneously restarts. Early 2020–2021 models particularly affected — black screen, Bluetooth dropouts, loss of Apple CarPlay. Software updates from mid-2021 significantly improve stability. Symptoms: Black screen while driving, reboot loop, wireless smartphone pairing drops out from 20,000 km | Medium | |
| Missing standard equipment due to chip shortage Models from 2021–2022 were delivered without ordered optional equipment due to the semiconductor shortage: ClearSight mirror, adaptive cruise control or fully digital instrument cluster were sometimes missing. Order configuration must be checked against vehicle specification. Symptoms: Ordered equipment features not present, menu options greyed out in the system | High |
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 37 weaknesses have been documented for the Land Rover Defender L663 (2019–2026) — 29 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. 4 problem engines: 204DT (2.0L Ingenium Diesel), DT306 (3.0L Ingenium I6 Diesel), PT204 (2.0L Ingenium Benzin Turbo), PT306 (3.0L Ingenium I6 Benzin Turbo). Typical issues affect Electronics, Body, Brakes, Suspension.
Defender (204DT, 2019–2020) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Oil dilution from DPF regeneration, Turbocharger failure. Power: 241 PS.
Defender (204DT, 2019–2020) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Oil dilution from DPF regeneration, Turbocharger failure. Power: 200 PS.
Defender (PT204, 2020–2021) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Thermostat housing leak, Turbocharger failure. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (S68B44B, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: Turbocharger problems from oil starvation, Cooling system leak and overheating risk, Elevated oil consumption. Power: 525 PS.
Defender (S68B44B, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Turbocharger problems from oil starvation, Cooling system leak and overheating risk, Elevated oil consumption. Power: 634 PS.
Defender (PT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Timing chain — rattle and wear, Turbocharger bearing and seal wear. Power: 400 PS.
Defender (PT204, 2024–2026) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches prematurely, Thermostat housing leak, Turbocharger failure. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (PT306-PHEV, 2024–2026) — Be Careful: Recall N908: oil filter housing — fire risk, Turbocharger wear, PHEV: EV mode unavailable. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (DT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 300 PS.
Defender (DT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 249 PS.
Defender (DT306, 2020–2026) — Stay Away!: Recall N908: oil filter housing can crack — fire risk, Turbocharger actuator failure, Injector failure. Power: 200 PS.
What to watch out for with the Land Rover Defender? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Land Rover Defender L663 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Land Rover Defender L663? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Land Rover Defender L663 engine is the most fun? +
Is the Land Rover Defender L663 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Land Rover Defender L663? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee