2023 Land Rover Defender

Defender Stop/Start Problems

The 2023 Land Rover Defender has a auto stop/start problem that has been reported to the manufacturer.  According to Land Rover, the Defender will do an un-commanded shift from drive to neutral when restarting after a start/stop event.  Additionally, the Jaguar F-Pace, XE, XF, and Range Rover Velar are affected by the same start/stop defect as the 2023 Defender.

In response to the start/stop problem, Land Rover issued a technical service bulletin.   The Technical Service Bulletin, released in May 2022, warns that “customers may be concerned” if the gear selector on a restart displays ‘N’ (Neutral) after an auto stop/start occurrence.

According to the bulletin, there is a software problem with the start/stopping the transmission control module (TCM).  The system will initiate a “fail-safe mode” by mistake after a auto stop/start occurrence and go into Neutral instead of remaining in Drive mode.

Land Rover has also issued a Special Service Message advising Dealers not to do any repairs, such as replacing any hardware or software to resolve the issue until Land Rover releases a TCM software update to solve the stop/start defect with the Defender.  Owners of Land Rover Defenders are recommended to turn off that auto stop/start as a temporary fix.

Land Rover Defender Owner Complaints to NHTSA

Many Land Rover owners are reporting the Auto Stop/Start problems to the NHTSA.

One Texas Land Rover Defender owner states:

Stopped on an uphill grade, start stop on vehicle activated, engine stopped. Upon brake release, engine started, vehicle made un-commanded shift from drive to neutral, rolled backward several feet before brake could be reapplied. Land Rover has been aware of the un-commanded shift to neutral issue for sometime. Local dealer has a bulletin on this issue, but Land Rover has no fix, instead advising to manually disengage auto start stop every time vehicle is driven. Unfortunately, sometimes I forget to do this. It’s a problem.

Another Land Rover driver from Illinois says:

When stopped at stoplight engine gear slips to neutral without warning. When applying gas it becomes apparent it’s no longer in drive. Has happened 8 plus times and I’ve had this new car less than 2weeks. Reported to dealer who tells me 2 other customers have reported this as well. No one is sure why it happens.

Owners Flood Online Land Rover Defender Forums

Along with complaints to the NHTSA, many owners are posting complaints on the online Forums.  Here is a complaint posted on Land Rover Forum

When using autostart, the gearbox will shift into neutral at certain stops when I let go off the brake pedal.  This only happens once in the while, but it always takes a few seconds to put it back in the gear, as there is a slight delay when I shift it back to drive. This is especially annoying when I have cars behind me in traffic! I know I can turn the feature off by pressing the button, but there is no way to permanently disable autostart, and I just forget sometimes. I’m taking the car back to dealer, just wanted to know if anyone ever experienced the same issue and/or was able to resolve this.

Lemon Law Help for Land Rover Defender Owners with Stop/Start Problems

The 2023 Land Rover Defender’s stop/start problems are currently being investigated.  Countless Land Rover owners have obtained new cars or full refunds for their defective cars thanks to our lemon law attorneys.

You can contact us for free lemon lawn help if you are having problems with your auto-start/stop feature.  We are the lemon law experts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii.