Land Rover Defender P400e
The 3.0L I6 turbocharged petrol combined with an electric motor as a plug-in hybrid. Combustion engine weaknesses same as the PT306, plus PHEV-specific issues: EV mode refusal, battery degradation, and oil dilution when running predominantly on electric power.
Defender P400e: adventure with a plug
The PHEV Defender combines off-road capability with city friendliness. Pulling away electrically in off-road crawl mode — that is a new experience for off-road enthusiasts. City-quiet on short trips, supported by the I6 on expeditions.
Engine Weaknesses 5
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
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
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
The PHEV battery loses capacity over time. Electric range drops from roughly 50 km to 30–35 km. Charge port and on-board charger failures are also reported.
Symptoms: Reduced electric range, charging errors, charge port unresponsive
When the PHEV is driven predominantly on electricity, the combustion engine starts rarely and never reaches operating temperature. Fuel enters the sump unburnt.
Symptoms: Fuel smell in engine oil, oil level above max mark, early service warning
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
Missing rubber grommets at body panel penetrations allow rainwater to enter the footwell via the A-pillar. Control units under the driver's seat are damaged. Windscreen sealing is inadequate on early production batches.
Early D250 and D300 diesel models show electrical injector failure as early as around 13,000 km, triggering limp-home mode. Parts on order, vehicle stuck in the workshop for weeks. Affects build years 2020–2022.
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.
Optional air suspension on the L663 shows compressor failures and ride height sensor faults. Expensive to repair when it fails. Hissing at the rear-left during height changes is an early warning sign. Regular maintenance is essential.
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.
The heavy spare-wheel door sags over time with frequent use or roof loads. Hinge adjustment at the dealer is required. Not a critical defect but visually and functionally annoying. Earlier production models are more affected.
Early production batches show folded or poorly fitting door seals that generate whistling wind noise at motorway speeds. Largely resolved from model year 2022 onwards. Seal replacement or adjustment fixes the issue.
Front brake pads on early L663 models tend to squeal during light braking. Cause: corrosion film on the disc or unfavourable pad-disc pairing after standing time. Cleaning or pad replacement usually resolves the issue.
Reports & Tests
44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2019–2026). Most reported: Lighting (13), Engine (7), Electrical (7).