Defender door

I have a 2011 defender XS, I've had since new so hasn't been abused. I have a problem with my drivers door, the inner framework is cracked and broken, Landrover have said its down to wear and tear...... Really it's only 4 years old. They won't replace the door but have offered to have the door welded but won't offer a warranty on the repair. I know the door is aluminium but I'm not a fat bird so would you expect this to have broken???

My doors are 30 years old, they aren't cracked. Also,only the outer skin is aluminium, the frame is steel.

you have any piccies?

^^^ pics would help. I'd be pretty persistent with them.

No photos but I will get some

Will be a steel door on that year wouldn't it

I would contact Land Rover customer services, nicely jump up and down a bit - I had a Freelander 2 that had a sensor failure after 4 years and it went into limp home mode, I was quoted an extraordinary amount by the dealer to diagnose and was not too impressed - I went to LR directly and they fixed it FOC. You shouldn't have to put up with a half arse job on a new car.

Does it have a 'full service history'? If the hinges are stiff the door will flex, so should be spotted on a service.

Discokids said:

My doors are 30 years old, they aren't cracked. Also,only the outer skin is aluminium, the frame is steel.

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Not on the new Puma doors, pretty sure they are 1 peice Ali.

bankz5152 said:

Not on the new Puma doors, pretty sure they are 1 peice Ali.

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I'm pretty sure there steel! Well so my magnet says!!

one piece steel

Decent inspection ought to show whether its been slammed to death (why do people think you have to slam Defender doors through to next week - sends me mad when I give folks a lift.....?) - which would be wear and tear and your prob; or poor welding/frame/construction which would not be 'satisfactory durability' for a component such as a door...... AA or good independent engineer. But as said contact LR Customer services direct first cos they might just be very helpful...... Good luck, A

Frame and outer skin are galvanised steel on the Puma

Do a bit of research on The Sale Of Goods Act. The retailer (not the manufacturer) can have a responsibility to a product for up to 6 years from date of sale. If it is reasonable for you to expect a door on a vehicle to last more than 4 years without falling apart, and the door has only seen reasonable use in that time, the retailer should repair or replace it for free. That's the law!

Also remember that if the worst does happen and you can't get a warranty repair, it's not that expensive to buy and fit a new door. In fact you can fit it yourself....they are not that complex like a modern car.
The main expense would be painting it. Land Rover prices are high but they are available aftermarket for much less.

boguing said:

Does it have a 'full service history'? If the hinges are stiff the door will flex, so should be spotted on a service.

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Yes it has full service history with a landrover approved garage.

Here are a couple of photos taken when it went into Landrover, customer services have said no to a replacement door, they offered to have it welded but their body shop have they won't offer any warranty on the repair as it needs a new door!!

Wow that's pretty much broken in half. How on earth did that happen?

lightning said:

Wow that's pretty much broken in half. How on earth did that happen?

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I have no idea but I think it's a safety issue which Landrover need to sort out.

How did you first notice it? My drivers door has had a rattle when it is slammed shut for about a year, haven't taken it apart yet to see what the problem is. Passenger door shuts easily without slamming, but the drivers door needs a light slam to overcome the door seals. Up to now I was thinking it is a loose wire rattling, but might be the same problem as yours.