2014 DEFENDER ISSUES

[Dobby]

Is it just me or is this normal for an almost new Defender 110?


I purchased a brand new 2014 Defender 110 just shy of 12 months ago. I had a few extra's put on at the time of purchase including a long range tank, heavy duty tow bar, bull bar and roof rack.


I have only put on a touch over 18,000km on it thus far and since the time I purchased it I have had the following issues-


1. Leak in fuel line from long range tank (not a Land Rover part, but installed by the dealership).


2. Fault with blue tooth and CD player resulting in the system being replaced.


3. Fault with the wiring up of the trailer connection which resulted in brake lights coming on when you indicate etc


4. I'm on my third steering box. The first one leaked, it's replacement was faulty and the third one seems to be going okay (finally).


5. The Engine Malfunction warning light came on yesterday. I have been told by the dealership that it's ok to drive the 100 odd kilometers for them to have a look at it this Wednesday??


It seems to me that I've bought a 'lemon'. The truck drives really well when it's going and I love driving it, but it's concerning that these issues are occurring and I'm starting to wonder about the reliability of it. I haven't taken it off road yet, but was hoping to start doing a few trips. As I said to the dealership, it's just as well the engine malfunction light came on 5km out of town and not 300km out of Alice Springs!!

[mickygee]

Not a Lemon, this is just the way they are. for the next 3yrs after you buy one new its is a partnership between you and the dealer to correct all the faults these cars have built-in or added to by the assemblers! learn all you can about the known faults from the web - i believe everyone of them is covered , and do what you can in preventative maintenance (like greasing the axle flanges). all new cars come with with some faults, some more than others but defenders are comparatively easy and inexpensive to fix.

[Tombie]

Is it just me or is this normal for an almost new Defender 110?


I purchased a brand new 2014 Defender 110 just shy of 12 months ago. I had a few extra's put on at the time of purchase including a long range tank, heavy duty tow bar, bull bar and roof rack.


I have only put on a touch over 18,000km on it thus far and since the time I purchased it I have had the following issues-


1. Leak in fuel line from long range tank (not a Land Rover part, but installed by the dealership).

So, not a Lemon fault but an installer detail issue.

2. Fault with blue tooth and CD player resulting in the system being replaced.

A 3rd party supplied unit - Hardly blame LR for an Alpine issue.
Electronics fail at times... This is hardly predictable.

3. Fault with the wiring up of the trailer connection which resulted in brake lights coming on when you indicate etc

Again an installer issue.

4. I'm on my third steering box. The first one leaked, it's replacement was faulty and the third one seems to be going okay (finally).

OK, so one fault so far that is a factory problem.

5. The Engine Malfunction warning light came on yesterday. I have been told by the dealership that it's ok to drive the 100 odd kilometers for them to have a look at it this Wednesday??

Likely and EGR issue, these can happen. Nothing too serious.

It seems to me that I've bought a 'lemon'. The truck drives really well when it's going and I love driving it, but it's concerning that these issues are occurring and I'm starting to wonder about the reliability of it. I haven't taken it off road yet, but was hoping to start doing a few trips. As I said to the dealership, it's just as well the engine malfunction light came on 5km out of town and not 300km out of Alice Springs!!

So far you havent had any show stoppers, a MIL is hardly grounds to panic - and the vehicle would likely have taken you where ever you needed.

[ozy013]

As I said to the dealership, it's just as well the engine malfunction light came on 5km out of town and not 300km out of Alice Springs!!

There is a dealer in The Alice, Sutton Motors, up on Smith st.

Exactly as Tombie stated, most of your faults seem to be third party or installer related issues.

I would hardly call your Defender a lemon. Yes there are issues, recalls etc all of which you can read about here or DEFENDER2.NET - Index. But unlike many manufacturer's, Land Rover are pretty good at fixing faults within the warranty period, with very little fuss. Plus you'll soon be on first name basis with your local service manager .

If you love driving it, then really that's all that matters, just go with the flow, learn all you can, and enjoy the ride.

[AndyG]

18,000 km and haven't been off road no wonder it's sulking and having a few hissiy fits.

Got mine, 5000 km and 3 weeks later it had done the Birdsville and Stezleki, , maybe black wasn't such a great color after all

[Mjt084]

I've had my 2014 Defender about 12mths now and it hasn't missed a beet!

Just notched up 14000km today.

[Pocket Rocket]

We have a 13 month old 110 and have had a few issues but none that we would say are deal breakers.

Regards to problems with after market accessories, after the experience of spending a lot of money on an Izusu DMax at a 4wd shop and having to take it back time and time again to fix issues, we decided that this time we would not let anyone touch our Defender and have done all the work ourselves.

So far we've installed a bullbar, light guards, underbody protection, drawers, driving lights, headlight relay upgrade, spotties, light bar, reversing light, dual battery system, rear wheel carrier and a brake controller.

My motto is if you want a job done properly do it yourself. The care factor is greater.

[Pocket Rocket]

So far you havent had any show stoppers, a MIL is hardly grounds to panic - and the vehicle would likely have taken you where ever you needed.

Tombie what does MIL stand for? On other forums MIL means Mother In Law but I can't work out how that is hardly grounds to panic (unless she's in the Deefer).

[LR V8]

Hi Dobby. It sounds like your dealer has been taking care of these issues well. Although frustrating, looking at a 'glass half full' perspective, she's getting sorted and should work out to be a nice puma.

Good luck with the latest issue and let us know how it goes 😊

I have a mate in Canberra that had a 'structural issue' with his new puma with 10k on the clock. He was offered: 1) a fix, 2) a refund, or 3) a new puma.... as you would expect, he took option 3 and they gave him a D4 to drive until the puma turns up (Dec ?).

Sometimes '**** happens' and it's the way the dealer handles it which makes the difference.

Cheers,

Pete

[MrLandy]

Hi Dobby. It sounds like your dealer has been taking care of these issues well. Although frustrating, looking at a 'glass half full' perspective, she's getting sorted and should work out to be a nice puma.

Good luck with the latest issue and let us know how it goes 😊

I have a mate in Canberra that had a 'structural issue' with his new puma with 10k on the clock. He was offered: 1) a fix, 2) a refund, or 3) a new puma.... as you would expect, he took option 3 and they gave him a D4 to drive until the puma turns up (Dec ?).

Sometimes '**** happens' and it's the way the dealer handles it which makes the difference.


Cheers,

Pete

Are you able to say what the structural issue was?