"Land assist not available" and no power steering on 2023 Defender 130 First Edition
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 824
From: Boston, MA
Well, I’m stumped. 2023 110S with P300.
I lost power steering as I was pulling into the driveway this evening. Fortunately, I had seen this thread and ordered the 10mm insulated wrench. Unfortunately, 10 minutes of a disconnected negative terminal did not fix the problem. I rebooted my pivi, but no joy. I’m on 4.1.1_ installed on 22 January 2024. Is that the latest? Of course there’s no way to force an update. I have good home WiFi when I’m in the driveway, so that’s not an issue. Hoping it resets overnight. Or I’ll try the battery trick for a longer time period. I’d rather not lose the time it will take to have it towed to the dealer.
I lost power steering as I was pulling into the driveway this evening. Fortunately, I had seen this thread and ordered the 10mm insulated wrench. Unfortunately, 10 minutes of a disconnected negative terminal did not fix the problem. I rebooted my pivi, but no joy. I’m on 4.1.1_ installed on 22 January 2024. Is that the latest? Of course there’s no way to force an update. I have good home WiFi when I’m in the driveway, so that’s not an issue. Hoping it resets overnight. Or I’ll try the battery trick for a longer time period. I’d rather not lose the time it will take to have it towed to the dealer.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 257
Likes: 193
Had it towed to the dealer yesterday. The service advisor said it’s almost certainly the software; the tow truck driver said the same thing - he tows a few a week for this reason.
I explained that disconnecting the battery didn’t reset it; the service advisor said that’s a temporary fix anyway. So… they should update the software today. I’ll let you all know if that fixes it. Thanks for your comments and advice.
I explained that disconnecting the battery didn’t reset it; the service advisor said that’s a temporary fix anyway. So… they should update the software today. I’ll let you all know if that fixes it. Thanks for your comments and advice.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 257
Likes: 193
The software was up to date. It needs a new steering rack. They are calling dealers in the US who have them to see if anyone is willing to part with it. But they suspect any dealer who has one needs it for this repair for one of their customers.
If they can’t find one, it may be weeks or months.
I was hoping to avoid the curse of Land Rover reliability.
If they can’t find one, it may be weeks or months.
I was hoping to avoid the curse of Land Rover reliability.
Last edited by Mike_F; May 1, 2024 at 09:30 PM.
Mudding
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 130
Likes: 70
From: Seattle Washington
The software was up to date. It needs a new steering rack. They are calling dealers in the US who have them to see if anyone is willing to part with it. But they suspect any dealer who has one needs it for this repair for one of their customers.
If they can’t find one, it may be weeks or months.
I was hoping to avoid the course of Land Rover reliability.
If they can’t find one, it may be weeks or months.
I was hoping to avoid the course of Land Rover reliability.
Mudding
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 159
Likes: 120
Sorry about your experience and it sucks when it happens to “you”. Fortunately, this is the first I’ve heard of a steering rack failure. Overall, the Defender has been more reliable that JLR’s other vehicles. Maybe it’s due to new processes and procedures unique to its new manufacturing plant in Europe. I’m hopeful for some of the very long term problem free experiences I read about here and elsewhere from defender owners when I was researching my purchase.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 416
Likes: 140
From: North of Toronto
Rack is probably made by OEM manufacturer anyway.
Windshield - JLR is liable as they are the one who spec'ced it for thickness and angle.
Windshield - JLR is liable as they are the one who spec'ced it for thickness and angle.
Last edited by TeddyG; May 1, 2024 at 09:31 PM.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 257
Likes: 193
The dealer service rep called today - most of the dealers in the US who had steering racks in inventory need them for Defenders with the same issue I have. But they found one in upstate New York that dealer was willing to part with. It should be at my dealer by Friday; maybe I'll get my Defender back on Monday. One can only hope. He said the replacement was about a four-hour job.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 257
Likes: 193
I picked up my 110 today. Steering rack replaced under warranty. Thank goodness they found one in the US.
My loaner was a Range Rover Velar. Not impressed. The engine was buzzy, and it didn’t drive as nicely as the X3 I sold when I bought my Defender.
My loaner was a Range Rover Velar. Not impressed. The engine was buzzy, and it didn’t drive as nicely as the X3 I sold when I bought my Defender.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 458
From: USA
Glad you got it fixed. With you 100% about the Velar.
Mudding
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 160
Likes: 133
Concerned.
my car wash guy told me he started my rig and couldn’t turn the wheel!
He went to call me but when they power cycled it, it started working again.
it’s never done it for me, but now the steering seems “heavier” than I remember it feeling. I don’t think I would have noticed if I wasn’t looking for issues.
question, did the folks who have the rack failure experience intermittent issues and less boost from the power steering before it got worse?
crossing my fingers.
my car wash guy told me he started my rig and couldn’t turn the wheel!
He went to call me but when they power cycled it, it started working again.
it’s never done it for me, but now the steering seems “heavier” than I remember it feeling. I don’t think I would have noticed if I wasn’t looking for issues.
question, did the folks who have the rack failure experience intermittent issues and less boost from the power steering before it got worse?
crossing my fingers.