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⚑ NHTSA Official DataUpdated: May 2026Methodology

LAND Rover Defender Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls β€” NHTSA Data

Comparing used LAND Rover Defender options? We analyzed 7 model years (2020–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

πŸ“‹
507
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
πŸ””
35
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
πŸ’₯
5
Crash-Related
crash complaints
πŸ”₯
4
Fire-Related
fire complaints
πŸ₯
3
Injuries Reported
across all years
πŸ“ˆ
Poor
Reliability Signal
overall trend

Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact LAND Rover Defender you plan to buy.

Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the LAND Rover Defender has 507 owner complaints and 35 safety recalls across model years 2020–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2023 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.

LAND Rover Defender β€” key reliability facts
Make
LAND Rover
Model
Defender
Model years analyzed
2020–2026 (7 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
507
Safety recall campaigns
35
Crash-related complaints
5
Fire-related complaints
4
Worst model year (by complaints)
2023 (213 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2026 (0 complaints)
Top reported issue area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Β· Data last refreshed May 25, 2026
This Defender has 35 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free β†’

LAND Rover Defender: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β€” lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

⚠ Years to Avoid
2023 LAND Rover Defender213 complaints2022 LAND Rover Defender128 complaints2021 LAND Rover Defender66 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

βœ“ Best Years to Buy
2026 LAND Rover Defender0 complaints2020 LAND Rover Defender46 complaints2024 LAND Rover Defender54 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β€” lower risk starting points.

⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.

What the Complaint Data Suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

The LAND ROVER DEFENDER has 507 NHTSA complaints and 35 recalls on record. 5 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key Findings
  • 507 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 35 federal recall campaigns
  • 5 crash-related complaints on record
Top Concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
⚠️ Worst Years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

βœ… Best Years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to Check Before Buying Used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume β€” popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

πŸ“… Problems by Model Year (Best vs. Worst Years)

2020
46
2021
66
2022
128
2023
213
2024
54
2026
0
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: May 2026

πŸ”” NHTSA Safety Recalls

35 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Campaign #24V678000December 9, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign #24E102000June 12, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT
Campaign #24E102000June 12, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT
Campaign #24E102000June 12, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT
Campaign #24E102000June 12, 2024

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT
Campaign #23V044000February 2, 2023

Safety Recall

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Campaign #23V044000February 2, 2023

Safety Recall

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Campaign #21V435000August 6, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Campaign #21V435000August 6, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Campaign #21V424000March 6, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Campaign #21V424000March 6, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Campaign #21V499000January 7, 2021

Safety Recall

Component: SEATS
Campaign #26V163000

Safety Recall

Component: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Campaign #26V263000

Safety Recall

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Campaign #21V584000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Campaign #26V248000

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Campaign #21V668000

Safety Recall

Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Campaign #21V584000

Safety Recall

Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Campaign #26V248000

Safety Recall

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER
Campaign #24V450000

Safety Recall

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:FILTER/SCREEN

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2020–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

πŸ”§ Most-Reported Problem Areas

Based on component keywords extracted from all 507 NHTSA complaints.

1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
197 complaints
2
VISIBILITY/WIPER
95 complaints
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
63 complaints
4
ENGINE
58 complaints
5
STEERING
53 complaints
6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
46 complaints
7
POWER TRAIN
29 complaints
8
LANE DEPARTURE
27 complaints

πŸ“‹ NHTSA Complaint Reports

507 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGMay 2026

The driver-side headlight assembly failed unexpectedly on my 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. This appears to be a known and recurring issue with this vehicle model involving the headlight or related electrical/control system. The failed component and vehicle are available for inspection upon request. The failure significantly reduced nighttime visibility and made the vehicle less visible to oncoming traffic and other drivers. Operating the vehicle with only one functioning headlight created a hazardous driving condition, especially during nighttime driving, adverse weather, and on poorly lit roads. This increased the risk of an accident for myself, passengers, and other motorists. The issue was reproduced and/or confirmed by the dealership/service center after inspection. The failure appears consistent with similar complaints reported by other Defender owners regarding headlight malfunction issues. The vehicle/component has been inspected by the dealership/service center. No inspection has been conducted by police or insurance representatives at this time. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApr 2026

While I was driving, the vehicle shut down unexpectedly. I was sliding sideways across the road on ice on the side of a cliff and luckily was able to stop the vehicle before going off the side of the mountain. I had to entirely restart the vehicle to begin driving again.

ENGINEFeb 2026

I am reporting a systemic failure of exhaust manifold retaining bolts on the 2020 Land Rover Defender (L663, P400 engine). While removing the engine skid plate, I discovered a fractured exhaust manifold bolt that had fallen down. The bolt head had separated, leaving the threaded portion in the cylinder head. There are I believe 12 manifold bolts securing the integrated exhaust manifold/turbocharger assembly, & multiple owners have documented similar failures, including cases with multiple broken bolts on one vehicle. The exhaust manifold is integrated with the turbocharger and is part of the emissions control pathway. This assembly operates at extremely high temps. Based on the pattern of failures, repeated thermal cycling and inadequate fastener material appear to cause bolt fatigue and fracture. When bolts break, proper clamping force is lost and hot exhaust gases escape directly into the engine compartment rather than remaining sealed within the manifold/turbo assembly. This presents serious safety concerns: Fire risk: Escaping exhaust gases from a turbocharged engine can exceed 1,000Β°F. These gases are released near wiring, plastic components, insulation, and other materials. Loss of sealing increases the risk of localized overheating and engine compartment fire. Exhaust gas intrusion: Exhaust leaks at the manifold can allow exhaust gases to enter the passenger compartment. Emissions defect: As this leak occurs upstream of emissions control components, unmetered exhaust gases escape before entering the emissions system, affecting federally regulated emissions compliance. This costs thousands to fix and owners are going to ignore it due to cost & unawareness. Multiple vehicles across varying mileages have experienced this issue, suggesting a systemic design or material defect rather than normal wear. Exhaust manifold fasteners should not fracture under normal operating conditions on a vehicle with 30,000 miles.

VISIBILITY/WIPERFeb 2026

We have had our vehicle for 3 years and had to replace our windshield twice from random cracks starting from the exterior windshield where it meets the body of the care. It has happened on its own, twice, which impact from any object. The cost of the windshield, as installed is over $2000 each time, and it is repeated occurrence with owners.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJan 2026

The DC to DC converter for the Hybrid 48v Electrical system has failed. This puts the vehicle at risk of a fire. The part is backordered for a significant amount of time, and there are many others in this situation.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEJan 2026

The DC/DC converter is failing on the vehicles regularly. This results in the vehicle losing power and shutting down while driving. I own this vehicle and while it hasn’t happened yet, I constantly fear that it will. With the common knowledge and frequency of this occurrence, Land Rover should fix as a recall to ensure the safety of all customers. Please push for this. Thank you.

πŸ”₯ FireSTEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMOct 2025

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, releasing a strong burnt smell. This overheating poses a serious fire hazard and could easily burn the driver’s hands during operation. This issue compromises driver safety because the steering wheel is an essential control part of the vehicle. If the driver’s hand is burned or the leather catches fire, it could result in loss of control of the vehicle. There were no warning messages or lights before or during the incident. The problem has occurred multiple times and can be reproduced when the heated steering wheel function is activated. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I believe this is a critical safety defect that should not occur under normal operation and could potentially affect other vehicles of the same model.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGSep 2025

The Daytime Running Lights (DRL) stopped working. The biggest hazard of DRL failure in a 2020 Defender is reduced daytime visibility to other drivers, which increases accident risk, especially in marginal light conditions. Also, in the Defender, DRLs are LED-based and integrated into the front lighting assembly. A failure could point to wiring, control module, or fuse issues. If ignored, these could eventually affect other lighting systems. The issue has been reported to JLR and I will be taking the car to the dealer for formal diagnostics and report.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGJul 2025

Mileage at time of failure: ~27,500 miles The signature LED headlamp assembly on my 2020 Land Rover Defender 110 X has experienced a failure of the integrated Daytime Running Light (DRL) module. The DRL has gone completely dark and is no longer functioning. This failure occurred shortly after the expiration of the factory warranty and affects a key visibility and safety feature of the vehicle. The only available repair, according to the dealership, is full replacement of the headlamp assembly at a cost of over $3,000. The DRL cannot be serviced independently. This is an unreasonable cost for a low-mileage vehicle and a safety-critical component. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting 2020–2022 Defender models, with numerous reports online from other owners citing identical DRL failures. This suggests a systemic design or quality defect in the headlamp assembly. A DRL failure undermines the vehicle’s visibility to other drivers and reduces safety during daylight driving. Given the high cost of repair and the frequency of reported failures, I believe this defect warrants investigation and potential recall action.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGJul 2025

The LED daytime running light failed on my vehicle and the dealer needed to replace the entire headlight unit. The manufacturer wanted to charge $2,500 for the replacement. There must be something faulty in the design of these headlights as out of 156 people I surveyed with Defenders, I’ve heard of 55 who have had this same issue, 7 who have had their daytime running light and headlight fail, 87 who have not had the daytime running light issue yet, and 7 respondents do not have the LED headlights and have not had their daytime running issue. This seems to be a manufacturer defect.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGJun 2025

The daytime running lights which also dim the overall lights at night, also known as the halo LED light continues to malfuction. I bought this car (2) years ago and I'm now on the second set up LED running lights. There are numerous other reports of this malfunctioning across owners. multiple online forums. this overall poses a large saftey hazard as the light is very dim at night from it not running, also including the daytime light casuing saftey issues for other cars.

STRUCTUREJan 2025

2020 Land Rover Defender with air intake snorkel was detached from the vehicle driving down the highway during a windy day. I see that Land Rover has recalled the snorkel for 2023 and 2024 models for that very reason. The recall should include 2020 models as well! I've noticed that there are many Land Rover Defender owners talking about this same issue online.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNov 2024

This is a 2020 Land Rover Defender 110. The daytime running lights on the headlamp need replaced. I had replaced the passenger side a few months ago at the Land Rover dealership while the car was still under warranty at 49,500 miles. Now, the Land Rover has 55k miles and the driver side has gone out and the Land Rover Dealer has quoted me 3K to fix this. This is a common problem and many owners with the years 2020-2023 are experiencing the same problem. This should not be happening with LED lights with such low mileage on the Defenders. This is a safety issue and this model should be recalled. Yes, the dealer has confirmed the problem with the daytime running light on the headlamp. There were no warning lamps or messages with this failure.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGApr 2024

Daytime running light failure. Making vehicle difficult to see. Dealer lists and a knows issue and and flagged as a safety concern. But refuses to repair or rectify the problem. And wants to charge over $4000 for a safety item.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEFeb 2024

My car does not fall under the VINs specified in recall N599 but is exhibiting the same unsafe conditions. At a rolling stop in traffic the car asks me to manually select a gear (while in Drive) and then shuts off the engine. The engine then will not restart and I am in unsafe conditions in intersections. I have brought the car to the dealership several times to resolve this and it continues to worsen. It has become a daily event and is now back at the delaership where they have told me it is not affected by this recall but clearly exhibits the same issue as described in that recall. This is a MAJOR SAFETY issue! The car shuts off without warning and wont restart. This is engine electrical system and transmission related. It drains the battery and leaves the car inoperable

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTIONFeb 2024

The rear backup camera is foggy and it is not possible to see clearly while backing up. It is foggy in any weather condition, during the daylight, and at night. There are halos around lights at night in addition to the general fogginess.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGJan 2024

Daytime running lights stopped working with no warning signs or notifications, reducing visibility.. Has been confirmed by independent service center. Circuitry in headlight is known to fail causing the daytime running light to stop without warning

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPERSep 2023

2 windshields cracked within a 2 month period. Second windshield cracked about 45 days after installation with no evidence of any impact causing it. One morning I came out to my vehicle and there was a 6-8 inch crack starting at the bottom of the windshield. Have driven the same roads for 30 years and have never had issues with windshields and now 2 in a couple of months.

UNKNOWN OR OTHERSep 2023

Windshield cracking for no reason Many occurrences in owners forum. Class action lawsuit filed. Manfature doing nothing. Windshields need to be redesigned .

POWER TRAINJul 2023

Large clunking sound with shuddering of the vehicle during a turn at low speeds. Inspection revealed cracked transfer case and differential damage which could lead to loss of control of vehicle. Had part repaired at Land Rover, again malfunctioned after 1000 miles with shuddering and "skipping" of rear tires during turns. Aware of two other malfunctions of transfer case with instability during turns.

Showing 20 of 507 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Before You Buy, Check the Exact LAND Rover Defender

These pages show model-year patterns across 7years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

πŸ“– Understanding This Data

πŸ“‹

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β€” but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The LAND Rover Defender has 507 complaints on record across 7 model years.

πŸ””

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The LAND Rover Defender has 35 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

πŸ’₯

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 5 of the LAND Rover Defender's 507 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β€” a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

🧭

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

πŸ“Š

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β€” simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

πŸ”

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all LAND Rover Defender vehicles on the road β€” not any specific car. Two LAND Rover Defender vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

πŸ”Ž

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β€” NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The LAND Rover Defender has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

Buyers Also Compare

How does the LAND Rover Defender stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.

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