Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | typical | 3 | Electrical | Few |
| 2025 | 13 | typical | 1 | Window & Wiper | Average |
| 2024 | 27 | typical | 7 | Electrical | Average |
| 2023 | 85 | 3.0× | 9 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2022 | 75 | 2.4× | 6 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2021 | 42 | 1.8× | 9 | Headlight | Caution |
| 2020 | 55 | — | 7 | Headlight | Limited data |
| 1995 | 1 | — | 2 | Engine | Few |
* Complaints compared with the median Defender year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Land Rover Defender problems
Latest Land Rover Defender recalls
Seat belts › Rear/other › Webbing › Stitching
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The second-row seat belt may be improperly stitched.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat belt serial number, and replace the seat belt, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 20, 2026.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › DC/DC converter
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 2026.
Air bags › Frontal
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver's air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver's air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D127.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › DC/DC converter
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024…
Remedy: Dealers will update the central software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Land Rover Defender should you avoid?
2023, 2022 and 2021 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Defender years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2023.
What are the most common Land Rover Defender problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (105), lights (62) and windows, wipers & sunroof (56). Electrical complaints peak in the 2023 model year.
How many recalls has the Land Rover Defender had?
20 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2021. See all Land Rover Defender recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.