Model year
2021 Land Rover Defender
NHTSA lists 9 recalls and 42 complaints for the 2021 Land Rover Defender (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are EXTERIOR LIGHTING (16), VISIBILITY/WIPER (12), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5). NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,350–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2020 55 complaints
- 2021 42 complaints
- 2022 75 complaints
- 2023 85 complaints
- 2024 27 complaints
- 2025 13 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V599000 · Sep 17, 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…
26V389000 · Jun 12, 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 driverâs air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
26V248000 · Apr 17, 2026
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…
23V044000 · Feb 2, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
21V668000 · Aug 26, 2021
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can…
21V584000 · Jul 29, 2021
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The owner's manual incorrectly states that the third-row seating is equipped with LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
21V499000 · Jul 1, 2021
SEATS
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Defender 90 vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable front seats. The front seat track end-stop bracket may become deformed, which could prevent the seat from locking into place.
21V435000 · Jun 8, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles equipped with smoked rear light assemblies. A voltage spike, triggered by a bright light shining on the rear of the vehicle, can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail…
21V424000 · Jun 3, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no…
Complaints
42 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 0, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L663 110 SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| L663 90 SUV 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defender 110 MHEV · 3L · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Hybrid | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Defender 90 MHEV · 3L · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Hybrid | 17 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Defender 110 · 2L · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 20 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| Defender 90 · 2L · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 21 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Land Rover Defender at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.