Land Rover Recalls Defender 130 TReK Over Brake Caliper Detachment

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【Summary】Land Rover is recalling 121 examples of the Defender 130 TReK due to the risk of brake caliper detachment. The vehicles were modified by JLR North America for the 2023 edition of the TReK off-road competition. The detachment could lead to poor braking performance and an increased risk of a crash. The remedy is to reinstall the brake calipers following the correct procedure. No incidents have been reported other than one in September 2023. The vehicles are priced from $69,100 to $116,600.

FutureCar Staff Nov 27, 2023 5:16 AM PT

Land Rover Recalls Defender 130 TReK Over Brake Caliper Detachment

The Land Rover Defender from 2019 onward is known internally as L663 and is available in three main specifications: the two-/three-door 90, the four-/five-door 110, and the stretched 130. However, a safety recall has affected an estimated 121 examples of the Defender 130, specifically the 2023 model year vehicles modified by JLR North America for the TReK off-road competition.

TReK is a North America-specific challenge that showcases the off-road capability of the Land Rover Defender. It originated in 1996 as the Camel Trophy and allows dealers from the United States and Canada to demonstrate their off-road expertise. The 2023 competition saw the participation of US and Canadian teams, with all the Defender 130 P400 SE vehicles intended for TReK being modified with various off-road enhancements.

In September 2023, an unexpected brake caliper detachment occurred in one of the vehicles. JLR North America conducted an investigation and determined that the dealers responsible for modifying the vehicles may not have followed the proper reinstallation procedure. The detachment of the brake caliper bolts not only affects braking performance but also increases the risk of structural damage and potential crashes.

The recall report, published on the NHTSA website, identifies the brake caliper bolts with part numbers LR033274 and SYG000013 as the recalled components. Jaguar Land Rover's North American division has not received any reports of incidents related to this issue, apart from the September 2023 detachment. The remedy for the recall involves removing and reinstalling the brake calipers following the correct procedure. Dealers will be notified of the recall by December 6, while customers who purchased TReK vehicles following the competition will be notified on January 19.

The Land Rover Defender is considered a standalone brand within JLR and offers a range of powertrains. These include the 2.0-liter turbo I4, inline-six engines, and the 5.0-liter supercharged V8. The Defender 130 vehicles modified for TReK are referred to as P400 SE, indicating a petrol (gasoline) engine with 400 metric ponies (395 horsepower) and standard equipment. The P400 model features a mild-hybrid system with the Ingenium 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 engine, which is derived from the original 2.0-liter turbo I4. The Ingenium family also includes a 1.5-liter turbo I3 engine and is manufactured in the UK and China.

Currently, the starting price for the most basic Defender 130 in the US market is $69,100 (excluding the destination freight charge). On the other end of the spectrum, the supercharged V8 option comes with a sticker price of $116,600.