10 documented faults
Engine & fuel system
Two documented faults — one affects power, one starting.
Warning light on, and the car feels gutless
All models with 2.4 Diesel engine.
What you'd notice
The engine warning light (MIL) comes on and the car feels down on power. The workshop bulletin records trouble codes P0234 and P0299 alongside these symptoms; these are codes stored by the engine computer and read with a diagnostic tool.
Why it happens
The documented cause is corrosion on the control rod for the turbocharger’s wastegate regulating valve. The wastegate is the valve that limits turbo boost pressure. When its control rod sticks, the valve cannot regulate boost as intended.
The repair
The workshop repair uses a kit to repair the control rod. The bulletin specifies that only the stated grease should be used for this repair. Both the kit and grease part numbers are listed below.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Repair turbocharger (TC) wastegate regulating valve control rod using repair kit. Only use specified grease.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Repair kit | LR019905 | 1 |
| Grease | LR029042 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Hard to start, with misfire and power loss
All models with 2.4 Diesel engine.
What you'd notice
The engine can be difficult to start, misfire and feel short of power. The bulletin also records trouble codes P0089 and P1169 in the engine control module (ECM), the computer that runs the engine.
Why it happens
The documented causes are a faulty fuel pressure relief valve and a faulty fuel metering solenoid. The relief valve releases excess fuel pressure, while the metering solenoid controls how much fuel the high-pressure pump delivers.
The repair
The workshop remedy specifies fitting a new fuel pressure relief valve and a new fuel metering solenoid. The full procedure and the two replacement part numbers are included below.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit new fuel pressure relief valve (located on high-pressure fuel pump).
- Fit new fuel metering solenoid (located on fuel rail).
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel pressure relief valve | LR009837 | 1 |
| Fuel metering solenoid | LR006866 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Electrical & ignition
One documented fault — premature wear of the ignition switch.
The key won't turn in the ignition
All models.
What you'd notice
The ignition switch can feel stiff or jerky when you turn the key, or the key may refuse to turn at all. These are the two symptoms recorded in the bulletin.
The repair
The documented cause is premature wear of the ignition switch. The workshop remedy is to fit a new switch, and the bulletin supplies the replacement part number.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit new ignition switch.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition switch | LR035359 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Brakes
Three documented faults — a servo vacuum-pump oil leak, a brake-light switch and rear-brake squeal.
Engine oil leak near the brake servo vacuum pump
All models, VIN 7A732615-9A779263.
What you'd notice
Engine oil can leak from the area around the brake servo vacuum pump. The brake servo provides assistance when you press the brake pedal; this bulletin concerns an oil leak at its vacuum pump and applies to the VIN range shown above.
The repair
Dirt getting into the pump can cause its seal to fail. The documented repair is to fit a modified brake servo vacuum pump. The bulletin lists both the replacement pump and its gasket, with their part numbers in the workshop details below.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit modified brake servo vacuum pump.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Brake servo vacuum pump | LR014973 | 1 |
| Gasket | LR004381 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Brake lights stop working
All models.
What you'd notice
The brake lights do not come on when the brake pedal is pressed. The bulletin calls them ‘stop lamps’ and identifies a faulty brake pedal position (BPP) switch as the cause.
The repair
This is the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights. The documented repair is to fit a new BPP switch; no replacement part number is included in this bulletin.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Fit new BPP switch.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Rear brakes squeal under light braking
All models with rear disc brakes, 2005→.
What you'd notice
The rear brakes can squeal when braking lightly at 30–50 mph (48–80 km/h). That combination of light braking and road speed is the specific symptom described in the bulletin, which covers models with rear disc brakes from 2005 onwards.
The repair
The cause recorded is vibration from the rear brakes when they are applied. The repair is to fit modified rear brake pads. The fitting instruction is specific: the large chamfer, or bevelled edge, must face downwards. The replacement pad-kit number is listed below.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit modified rear brake pads. Note: When fitting brake pads ensure large chamfer is facing downwards.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Rear brake pad kit | LR032954 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
Suspension & drivetrain
One documented fault — the front driveshaft can contact the engine oil sump.
Knocking from the front over rough roads
All models, VIN 7A732615-8A758400.
What you'd notice
A knocking noise from the front of the Defender when driving over rough roads is the symptom described in this bulletin. The documented cause is contact between the front driveshaft and the engine oil sump, on vehicles within the VIN range shown above.
The repair
The workshop procedure is to inspect the sump for damage and fit a modified sump if necessary. The bulletin makes replacement conditional on the inspection and lists both the sump and sealant part numbers.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Inspect engine oil sump for damage. Fit modified engine oil sump if necessary.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil sump | LR007598 | 1 |
| Sealant | STC50550 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Clutch & gearbox
One documented fault — a weak clutch pedal return spring on manual models.
The clutch pedal feels heavy
All models with manual transmission, 1999→.
What you'd notice
The clutch pedal takes more effort to operate than it should. For the manual-transmission models covered by this bulletin, the documented cause is a weak clutch pedal return spring.
The repair
The repair involves removing and discarding the existing return spring, then fitting a modified spring and bushes. The bushes are the mountings at the joint. The workshop parts list includes the spring, both types of bush and a gasket, with the quantities required.
Workshop instructions & parts4 parts
Workshop procedure
- Remove and discard clutch pedal return spring.
- Fit modified clutch pedal return spring and bushes.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Clutch pedal return spring | EDP7510L | 1 |
| Bush | DCP3212L | 2 |
| Bush | CLP3180 | 1 |
| Gasket | ANR6332 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Body & trim
One documented fault — exterior door-handle retaining bolts working loose.
The outside door handle feels loose
All models, 2006→.
What you'd notice
The exterior door handle has excessive movement against the door because its retaining bolts have worked loose. This is the fault described for models from 2006 onwards.
The repair
The workshop repair is to remove the door trim panel and fit modified retaining bolts and washers. The bulletin specifies replacing the bolts one at a time and tightening them to 2.5 Nm, then refitting the trim panel and repeating the procedure on the opposite side. The full instructions and hardware part numbers are below.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit modified exterior door handle retaining bolts and washers: Remove door trim panel. Fit modified retaining bolts and washers. Tightening torque: 2.5 Nm. Note: Only remove/replace bolts one at a time. Refit door trim panel.
- Repeat procedure for opposite side.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Retaining bolt | LR024165 | As required |
| Washer | WC105002 | As required |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.
Wipers & visibility
One documented fault — a loose front wiper arm.
Front wipers work erratically — or not at all
90/110/130/Defender, 1995-09: VIN 600000→.
What you'd notice
The front wipers may behave erratically or stop working altogether. The bulletin traces this to a loose wiper arm: the spindle can still rotate, but it no longer moves the arm with it.
The repair
The workshop procedure includes checking the arm and spindle for damage and replacing damaged components where necessary. The motor must be in its park position before the arm is refitted. For the Defender, the specified wiper-arm nut tightening torque is 17 Nm; the full bulletin below also lists values for the other models it covers.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Remove wiper arm nut protective cover and remove nut.
- If wiper arm has come loose from spindle inspect affected components for damage. Replace components as necessary.
- Ensure wiper motor is in park position.
- Fit front wiper arm. Tighten wiper arm nut as follows:
- Freelander (97-06): 18 Nm.
- Freelander 2 (06-): 25 Nm.
- 90/110/130/Defender: 17 Nm.
- Discovery 3 (04-): 18 Nm.
- Range Rover (02-): 18 Nm.
- Range Rover Sport: 34 Nm.
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Take it with you
Before you view one
Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4 (2006–2011)
Each documented fault as a quick check for a viewing or test drive — tick them off as you go.
A little workshop vocabulary
Workshop terms used on this page
Definitions for the technical language used in these bulletins.
- MIL
- Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
- ECM
- Engine control module — the car's engine computer
- VIN
- Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
- Nm
- Newton-metres — the standard unit for how tightly a bolt is done up
- Brake Servo
- The unit that boosts the force of your foot on the brake pedal
- Wastegate
- The valve that limits the turbocharger's boost pressure
- Fuel Rail
- The pipe that distributes high-pressure fuel to the injectors
- BPP Switch
- Brake pedal position switch — behind the pedal, it triggers the brake lights
- Trouble Codes
- Standardised fault codes stored by the engine computer, read with a diagnostic tool
- BPP
- Brake pedal position — the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights
- TC
- Turbocharger — the exhaust-driven compressor that boosts engine power
- Control Module
- A computer that runs one of the car's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
- Driveshaft
- The shaft that takes drive from the differential out to a wheel
- Fuel Metering Solenoid
- The valve that controls how much fuel the high-pressure pump delivers
- Fuel Pressure Relief Valve
- A valve that dumps excess fuel pressure back to the tank
- Solenoid
- An electrically operated valve or actuator
- Stop Lamps
- Brake lights
- Wastegate Regulating Valve
- The valve that controls the turbocharger's wastegate, and so the boost pressure
- Bush
- A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Bushes
- Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Misfire
- One or more cylinders not firing correctly — the engine runs roughly or loses power
Common questions
Using this guide.
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4?
Garages and workshops regularly encounter 10 documented faults on the Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4 — three concern the brakes and two the engine and fuel system. Each fault above lists the symptoms, cause, fix and any parts needed.
Does every Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4 have these faults?
No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual car. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.
Can I check for Land Rover Defender 2.4 TD4 faults when viewing one?
Many of them, yes — the documented symptoms are things you can see, hear or feel on a viewing or test drive. The 'Before you view one' checklist above turns each documented fault into a quick check you can tick off as you go.