14 documented faults
Engine & fuel system
4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Loss of engine power.
Defender, →VIN 2A 622424.
What you'd notice
Black smoke from exhaust.
The repair
Turbocharger (TC) to intercooler hose separated internally causing a blockage. Turbocharger (TC) to intercooler hose split.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit new turbocharger (TC) to intercooler hose.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Hose - Defender | PNH102070 | 1 |
| Hose - Discovery | PNH102100 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.
Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated.
All models.
What you'd notice
Accelerator pedal operation may be reinstated when ignition is turned OFF and ON. Engine stays at idle. No response from accelerator pedal.
The repair
Wiring harness multi-plug not correctly latched to accelerator pedal position (APP) sensor.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Ensure that wiring harness multi-plug is fully engaged and latched to APP sensor Fig.101865 .
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.
Lack of power.
All models.
What you'd notice
Black smoke from exhaust.
The repair
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) solenoid filter blocked.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Defender: Disconnect filter from EGR solenoid Fig.101881 .
- Discovery: Disconnect filter from EGR solenoid Fig.101880 .
- If condition is rectified, replace filter.
- View View more information
- View View more information
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Filter | ESR4323 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.
Water-in-fuel warning lamp illuminates when driving.
Defender: VIN XA 159810-1A 199999/VIN 1A 600000-1A 610263.
Water-in-fuel sensor is oversensitive.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Clean area around water-in-fuel sensor.
- Drain fuel filter.
- Clean new sensor electrodes, seal and mating surface.
- Ensure no fingerprints are present on these areas.
- Fit modified sensor.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Water-in-fuel sensor - Defender | WKW000030 | 1 |
| Water-in-fuel sensor - Discovery | WKW000020 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.
Brakes
4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
ABS warning lamp illuminates permanently or intermittently.
All models with ABS, VIN XA 159810-2A 62899.
Poor routing of ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness around front flexible brake hose.
Workshop instructions & parts5 parts
Workshop procedure
- Release brake system fluid pressure.
- Remove brake hose and pipe from hub mounting bracket.
- Fit new hub mounting bracket Fig.101992.1 .
- Fit brake pipe, brake hose and ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness to hub mounting bracket Fig.101992.1 .
- Bleed brake system.
- View View more information
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Front ABS wheel speed sensor | SSW100050 | 2 |
| Front ABS wheel speed sensor clip bracket, right | RGY000020 | 1 |
| Front ABS wheel speed sensor clip bracket, left | RGY000030 | 1 |
| ABS harness clip | DYC101410 | 2 |
| Clip - brake hose to ABS harness | NTC8242 | 2 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.
ABS warning lamp illuminates permanently or intermittently.
All models with ABS.
Poor routing of ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness around the rear axle.
Workshop instructions & parts2 parts
Workshop procedure
- Fit cable tie and clip around axle tube.
- Ensure the cable tie is outboard of the shock absorber with the clip on top of the axle tube Fig.101994.1 .
- Fit ABS wheel speed sensor wiring harness to clip.
- Repeat procedure for opposite side.
- View View more information
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| ABS wheel speed sensor assembly - rear | SSW100060 | 1 |
| Accelerator cable | RGY500010 | 2 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.
Stop lamps not working.
All models.
Brake pedal position (BPP) switch faulty.
Workshop instructions
Squeal from rear brakes when braking lightly at 30-50mph (48-80kph).
All models with rear disc brakes, 2005→.
Rear brakes vibrating when brakes applied.
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 12.
Suspension & drivetrain
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Vibration above 50mph, 2900-3400rpm.
All models, 110/130, →VIN 3A 647098.
Transfer box shock absorber.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Fit modified shock absorber.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorber | IAI100031 | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.
Clutch & gearbox
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Heavy clutch pedal action.
All models with manual transmission, 1999→.
Clutch pedal return spring weak.
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 13.
Air conditioning & heating
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Heater unable to demist front screen.
All models.
What you'd notice
Sound of water moving in heater.
The repair
Heater air intake drain valve sticking or blocked. Water trapped in heater ducting.
Workshop instructions
Workshop procedure
- Ensure air intake drain valve operates correctly Fig.101944 .
- Ensure air intake drain tube is not blocked Fig.101944 .
- View View more information
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.
Body & trim
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Excessive movement between exterior door handle and door.
All models, 2006→.
Exterior door handle retaining bolts loose.
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 14.
Wipers & visibility
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Erratic front wiper operation.
90/110/130/Defender, 1995-09: VIN 600000→.
What you'd notice
Front wipers not working.
The repair
Front wiper arm loose, allowing wiper spindle to rotate without moving wiper arm.
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 10.
Other
1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.
Alloy wheels difficult to remove.
All models with alloy wheels, →03/01.
Corrosion between hub spigot and wheel centre.
Workshop instructions & parts1 part
Workshop procedure
- Clean corrosion from wheel contact surfaces.
- Apply anti-seize grease to wheel contact surfaces.
| Part | Part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-seize grease | RYL105020L | 1 |
Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.
Take it with you
Before you view one
Land Rover Defender 2.5 TD5 (2001–2007)
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.
- 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
- ABS
- Anti-lock braking system — stops the wheels locking under hard braking
- EGR
- Exhaust gas recirculation — feeds some exhaust gas back into the intake to cut emissions
- BPP Switch
- Brake pedal position switch — behind the pedal, it triggers the brake lights
- BPP
- Brake pedal position — the switch behind the pedal that triggers the brake lights
- TC
- Turbocharger — the exhaust-driven compressor that boosts engine power
- Accelerator Pedal Position
- The sensor that tells the engine computer how far the accelerator is pressed
- Anti-Seize
- Grease that stops mating parts (like a wheel on a hub) from corroding together
- EGR Solenoid
- The electrically operated valve that controls exhaust-gas recirculation
- Hub Spigot
- The raised centre of the hub that locates the wheel
- Multi-Plug
- A multi-pin electrical connector on a wiring harness
- Solenoid
- An electrically operated valve or actuator
- Transfer Box
- The gearbox that splits drive between the front and rear axles, and selects high/low range
- Water-in-Fuel
- Water contamination in diesel, collected in the fuel filter
- Wheel Speed Sensor
- A sensor at each wheel used by ABS and stability control
- Wiring Harness
- The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
- Bushes
- Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
- Intercooler Hose
- The pipe that carries pressurised air between the turbocharger, intercooler and engine
- Recirculation
- Air-conditioning mode that recirculates cabin air instead of drawing in outside air
Common questions
Using this guide.
What are the common faults with the Land Rover Defender 2.5 TD5?
Garages and workshops regularly encounter 14 documented faults on the Land Rover Defender 2.5 TD5 — four concern the engine and fuel system and four the brakes. Each fault above lists the symptoms, cause, fix and any parts needed.
Does every Land Rover Defender 2.5 TD5 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 2.5 TD5 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.