Head-to-head reliability
LAND Rover Defender vs Toyota Camry
How the LAND Rover Defender and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
LAND Rover Defender vs Toyota Camry: The Defender has 628 complaints over 7 years (90/year) and 48 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (206/year) and 31 recalls. Defender issues are often electrical; Camry issues span power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the LAND Rover Defender or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
LAND Rover Defender
The LAND Rover Defender is a luxury SUV that demands attention. Over 7 years, it has 628 complaints (about 90 per year) and 48 recalls, with electrical problems dominating. Owners report frequent check engine lights, hybrid system failures, and overheating steering wheels, suggesting a high-maintenance ownership experience.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a strong reputation, but data shows 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. Power train, engine, and brake issues are common, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and stuck keys. Despite the higher complaint count, the Camry's issues are often less severe than the Defender's electrical gremlins.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | LAND Rover Defender | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 628 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 48 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 89.7 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
LAND Rover Defender
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING109
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER101
- 04ENGINE74
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER57
Owners report check engine lights and hybrid electrical failures, such as code P0A1F-96 for the battery energy control module. Heated steering wheels can overheat and burn leather, posing a burn risk. These issues can be costly and may recur.
Daytime running lights and halo lights fail prematurely, often around 63,000 to 68,000 miles. This reduces nighttime visibility and can be a safety hazard. Replacement costs add up.
Windshields crack easily from small pebbles, with multiple reports of cracks appearing without obvious impact. This suggests a design weakness that could lead to frequent replacements.
Exhaust manifold bolts can fracture, and the auto start/stop system may fail to restart the engine at stoplights. These issues can cause performance problems and potential stalling.
“My 2020 Land Rover Defender 48V Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) experienced a check engine light and hybrid electrical failure. Diagnostics by an authorized Jaguar Land Rover dealer confirmed code P0A1F-96 (Battery Energy Control Module / BECM internal co…”
“While using the heated steering wheel function on my 2020 Land Rover Defender, the steering wheel began to overheat significantly after being turned on for a short time. The surface temperature became so hot that it burned and discolored the leather, releasin…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report ignition keys getting stuck even when in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Also, hesitation and shuddering with check engine lights, indicating transmission or engine management issues.
Delayed throttle response when accelerating from a stop, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous in traffic and is a recurring complaint.
Electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring towing. Also, clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, attributed to the ABS system, which owners find abnormal.
Multiple system malfunctions reported, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. This can be disorienting and unsafe.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
LAND Rover Defender — 48 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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. Land Rover's number for…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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. Land Rover's number for…
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) may overheat and cause the 3D surround camera images, including the rearvie…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the NFSM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N927.
The defect: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with Raised Air Intake (RAI) aftermarket accessory equipment, with part number VPLEP0543. The raised air intake may not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach fr…
The risk: A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this rec…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
LAND Rover Defender or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The LAND Rover Defender has fewer complaints per year (about 90) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Defender has more recalls (48 vs 31). In practice, the Defender's issues are often electrical and may be more expensive to fix, while the Camry's higher complaint volume includes many minor or repetitive issues. Both have safety-related reports, but the Camry has more crash and injury reports.
Key differences
- The Defender has far fewer complaints per year (90 vs 206) but more recalls (48 vs 31), indicating more frequent safety recalls.
- Electrical system issues dominate Defender complaints, while Camry complaints are spread across power train, engine, and brakes.
- Camry has significantly more crash-related complaints (171 vs 5) and injuries (158 vs 3), though this may reflect higher sales volume.
- Defender owners report specific failures like DRL and windshield cracks, while Camry owners report stuck keys and brake noises.
- Check for electrical issues: scan for stored codes, test heated steering wheel function, and inspect for any signs of overheating or burnt leather.
- Inspect exterior lights: ensure all DRLs and halo lights work, and check windshield for cracks or chips, especially near edges.
- Test the ignition key: ensure it can be removed easily when in Park, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Listen for brake noises: press the brake pedal and listen for clicking or vibrating sounds, and test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for outstanding recalls on both models.
- For the Defender, have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, including the hybrid components and lighting.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to check for transmission hesitation and brake performance.
- Check windshield condition on the Defender for cracks, and on the Camry, verify all advanced safety systems function.
- Review NHTSA complaints for specific model years to identify common issues before purchase.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | LAND Rover Defender | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 75 | 50 |
| 2023 | 246 | 64 |
| 2022 | 150 | 61 |
| 2021 | 84 | 157 |
| 2020 | 55 | 274 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific LAND Rover Defender or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- LAND Rover Defender vs Toyota Camry
- LAND Rover Defender total complaints
- 628
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- LAND Rover Defender total recalls
- 48
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- LAND Rover Defender avg complaints/year
- 89.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- LAND Rover Defender
- LAND Rover Defender top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN