Most common 2026 Land Rover Defender problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Land Rover Defender complaints by model year
2026 Land Rover Defender recalls (3)
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.
Seat belts › Critical fasteners
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket may have an insufficient weld stud.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld-stud on the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026.
2026 Land Rover Defender engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 18 / 22 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo supercharged hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 18 / 22 / 20 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl turbo hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl supercharged | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Land Rover Defender a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2026 Defender rates few complaints: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Defender at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Land Rover Defender?
The electrical system — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (1) and transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many recalls does the 2026 Land Rover Defender have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2026 Land Rover Defender, the most recent from June 12, 2026 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Land Rover Defender?
Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2022 and 2021. See the full Land Rover Defender years comparison.
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.