Businessman sues Jaguar Land Rover over defective Defender 4x4
Image: Supplied
A North West businessman is taking on Jaguar Land Rover after his dream purchase of a luxury 2022 Defender 4x4 turned into a mechanical and financial disaster. Represented by Trudie Broekmann Attorneys, William 'Liam' Cussons says he was sold a defective vehicle that spent more time in repairs than on the road and was ultimately rejected under warranty.
Cussons bought the brand-new Defender in June 2022 from Jaguar Land Rover Rustenburg for over R1.63 million, drawn in by the iconic brand's promise of rugged endurance. But within a year, the vehicle began to fail and what followed was a litany of complaints, repairs, ignored pleas, and spiralling costs.
'Yes, we find ourselves compelled to again take the extraordinary step of addressing you through this open letter, a step necessitated by your ongoing silence in a matter that strikes at the heart of the integrity of your brand,' wrote Trudie Broekmann Attorneys in a strongly worded letter to Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and the dealership.
They say that between 2022 and 2025, Cussons had to return the vehicle no fewer than 13 times, and was without its use for a total of 206 days — while continuing to pay instalments and insurance on a car he could barely drive.
'From experience we know that consumers can understand that not every product that leaves a manufacturer's factory is perfect. However, the response of the manufacturer when a manifestly defective product is returned in accordance with consumer law, determines consumer confidence in the brand.'
The last straw came in May 2025, when Cussons drove the vehicle through a shallow puddle of mud in Koster. The Defender, marketed as being able to 'tackle up to 900MM of water', began emitting excessive smoke, went into limp mode, and had to be towed.
At the dealership, he was allegedy told that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) was blocked and the turbo and other parts had failed. His warranty claim was rejected and he was handed a repair bill for over R523,000, nearly a third of the vehicle's original price.
'It is particularly alarming that a 4x4 utility vehicle, designed to 'tackle up to 900MM of water', advertised as being 'unstoppable', 'tough. Inside and out' and able to 'go from road, to mud, to snow, to anywhere' would suffer a failure of the air filter and DPF systems after driving through a shallow mud puddle.'
Broekmann Attorneys also raise concern that the issue may not be isolated. They cite class actions in the UK and Australia relating to similar failures in Jaguar Land Rover vehicles with DPF systems.
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Jaguar Land River said the damages were caused by the vehicle being submerged in water, and/or mud,exceeding the prescribed operating parameters of the vehicle
Image: Supplied
'The class actions instituted in the UK and Australia coupled with the consumer complaints and comments on X, indicate that some Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are unsafe and defective, and that the defects in question are the result of inherent manufacturing defects...'
Cussons' frustrations didn't begin in Koster. In fact, problems started within the first year of ownership with the vehicle failing to start, giving off warning lights, malfunctioning parking systems, and rattling noises. These issues persisted despite multiple repair attempts. He eventually requested a replacement, which was flatly denied.
'Our client sought to be provided with a replacement vehicle... Despite repeated requests, our client's demand for a replacement vehicle was rejected and our client was forced to continue dealing with a 'lemon'.'
By 2025, new issues emerged, including vibrating brakes, power drainage, software failures, and loose bolts. Despite seven more repair visits, Jaguar Land Rover and the dealership allegedly continued to ignore his repeated calls and correspondence.
After receiving a letter of demand on 23 June 2025, Jaguar Land Rover's lawyers acknowledged receipt but have yet to formally respond.
'Our office has made every reasonable attempt to engage with Jaguar Land Rover Rustenburg and Jaguar Land Rover South Africa, in an attempt to resolve the matter and just like our client's previous attempts, our correspondence has been met with nothing but disregard.'
The matter has since been escalated, with Trudie Broekmann Attorneys inviting the dealership and manufacturer to resolve it before it proceeds to court or a tribunal.
'Consumers hate being ignored. We are happy to meet the dealership and manufacturer in Court or before a Tribunal, but this vast expense and effort could be saved by constructive engagement from the manufacturer.'
Cussons, a repeat customer who previously owned two other Land Rovers, said this experience has shattered his faith in the brand. His lawyers have warned that the handling of the case could damage Jaguar Land Rover's reputation more broadly.
'Public perception, after all, is a delicate thing and it would be unfortunate if a small minority of 'lemons', paired with your continued indifference were to stain an otherwise prestigious name.'
In a response to media enquiry Jaguar Landrover South Africa said they investigate all vehicle-related claims rigorously and remain fully committed to resolving issues fairly and transparently.
'In this instance, our investigation confirmed that the issue raised by RamoremiTrading CC was caused by the vehicle being submerged in water, and/or mud, exceeding the prescribed operating parameters of the vehicle, clearly defined in the warranty terms. This was not a manufacturing defect.
'These findings were communicated directly to Ramoremi Trading CC and its legal representatives, in line with standard procedure. We stand firmly by our assessment and our obligation to uphold the terms of the warranty agreement.'
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus
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