The Land Rover Defender spans 1993–2026 with 47 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2020, 1993, 2026 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1994, 1997, 2021. It delivers up to 20 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Land Rover Defender is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1993 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Land Rover Defender VIN — every digit explained
Every Land Rover Defender carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Land Rover and the country it was built in (real Land Rover codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Defender.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- UKSAD · SAJ · SAL
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Defender, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Land Rover Defender have?
The Land Rover Defender has 47 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1993–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Land Rover Defender recalls 3
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. In the event of a crash, an improperly manufactured fuel tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A seat belt assembly with an insufficient weld may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. 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. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D098 and D113.
2025 Land Rover Defender recalls 2
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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 from the vehicle.
Risk. A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is N964.
2024 Land Rover Defender recalls 6
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Electrical System:propulsion System:dc/dc Converter
What's wrong. 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 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Back Over Prevention:software
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the touchscreen software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N972.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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 from the vehicle.
Risk. A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is N964.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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 rearview camera image, not to display.
Risk. A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:filter/screen
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
Risk. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N908.
2023 Land Rover Defender recalls 9
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Electrical System:propulsion System:dc/dc Converter
What's wrong. 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 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Back Over Prevention:software
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the touchscreen software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N972.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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 from the vehicle.
Risk. A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is N964.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:filter/screen
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
Risk. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N908.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:critical Fasteners
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles modified for the TRek Off-Road Competition. The brake calipers may not be reinstalled properly, allowing the brake calipers to detach.
Risk. Detached brake calipers can reduce braking ability and cause structural wheel damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will reinstall the brake calipers, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 18, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N848.
Child Seat:vehicle Tether Anchor
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The third-row seatback latch may not latch properly, reducing the strength of a child seat installed to the top tether.
Risk. A child seat with reduced strength may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the third-row seat frame and components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N768.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
Seat Belts:pretensioner
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.
Risk. Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N720.
2022 Land Rover Defender recalls 6
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Electrical System:propulsion System:dc/dc Converter
What's wrong. 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 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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 from the vehicle.
Risk. A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is N964.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
Seat Belts:pretensioner
What's wrong. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.
Risk. Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N720.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
What's wrong. 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 lights to fail.
Risk. Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021. Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.
2021 Land Rover Defender recalls 9
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Electrical System:propulsion System:dc/dc Converter
What's wrong. 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 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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 from the vehicle.
Risk. A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is N964.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
Seats
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A seat that is not properly locked into place can move unintentionally during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace the front seat tracks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N609.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
What's wrong. 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 warning.
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk. Incorrect child restraint information may result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Land Rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N601.
Seat Belts:front:retractor
What's wrong. 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 prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
What's wrong. 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 lights to fail.
Risk. Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021. Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.
2020 Land Rover Defender recalls 7
Air Bags:frontal
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Electrical System:propulsion System:dc/dc Converter
What's wrong. 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 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
Equipment
What's wrong. 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 from the vehicle.
Risk. A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is N964.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/lubrication
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
What's wrong. 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 warning.
Risk. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk. Incorrect child restraint information may result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Land Rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N601.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
What's wrong. 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 lights to fail.
Risk. Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021. Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.
1995 Land Rover Defender recalls 2
Power Train:axle Assembly
What's wrong. AT PORT OF ENTRY, A QUALITY OVERCHECK OF THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT TORQUE WAS PERFORMED. THIS CHECK REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF THE DRIVESHAFTS. WHEN THE DRIVESHAFTS WERE REINSTALLED, THE WRONG SIZED NUTS WERE USED.
Risk. THE NUTS CAN LOOSEN, ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE DISCONNECTION OF ONE OR BOTH OF THE DRIVESHAFTS RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HARDWARE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WITH HARDWARE OF THE APPROPRIATE SPECIFICATIONS.
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
What's wrong. THE "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE LABEL" WARNING WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THE BATTERIES IN THESE VEHICLES.
Risk. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THESE BATTERIES ARE HANDLED INCORRECTLY.
Fix. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A BATTERY WARNING LABEL WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH LABELS AND A LETTER INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN ALSO BRING THE VEHICLE TO ANY DEALER AND HAVE THE LABEL INSTALLED FOR THEM FREE OF CHARGE.
1994 Land Rover Defender recalls 1
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
What's wrong. THE "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE LABEL" WARNING WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THE BATTERIES IN THESE VEHICLES.
Risk. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THESE BATTERIES ARE HANDLED INCORRECTLY.
Fix. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A BATTERY WARNING LABEL WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH LABELS AND A LETTER INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN ALSO BRING THE VEHICLE TO ANY DEALER AND HAVE THE LABEL INSTALLED FOR THEM FREE OF CHARGE.
1993 Land Rover Defender recalls 1
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
What's wrong. THE "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE LABEL" WARNING WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THE BATTERIES IN THESE VEHICLES.
Risk. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THESE BATTERIES ARE HANDLED INCORRECTLY.
Fix. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A BATTERY WARNING LABEL WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH LABELS AND A LETTER INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN ALSO BRING THE VEHICLE TO ANY DEALER AND HAVE THE LABEL INSTALLED FOR THEM FREE OF CHARGE.
Best and worst years for the Land Rover Defender
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 11 tracked years, the worst years are 2020, 1993, 2026 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1994, 1997, 2021.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Defender | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 1994 Defender | — | Best | |
| 1995 Defender | Engine | Average | |
| 1997 Defender | — | Best | |
| 2020 Defender | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 2021 Defender | — | Best | |
| 2022 Defender | — | Average | |
| 2023 Defender | — | Average | |
| 2024 Defender | — | Average | |
| 2025 Defender | — | Average | |
| 2026 Defender | Power Train | Avoid |
What are the most common Land Rover Defender problems?
The most-reported Land Rover Defender problems are Tires (1 reports), Engine (9 reports) and Steering (7 reports) — out of 52 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Land Rover Defender specifications & dimensions
The 2020–2023 Land Rover Defender measures 187″ long on a 119″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 4,819 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Land Rover Defender window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | 187″ | 79″ | 78″ | 119″ | 4,819 lb |
| 1993 | 181″ | 70″ | 81″ | 110″ | 4,850 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Land Rover Defender cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Defender holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Land Rover Defender tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Land Rover Defender get?
The Land Rover Defender returns up to 20 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 Land Rover Defender (5L 8-cyl) gets 16 mpg combined and costs about $4,800/yr to fuel, emitting 574 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 3/10) — about $13,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Defender | 14 | 18 | $4,800 | 574 | — | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2025 Defender | 14 | 18 | $4,800 | 574 | 2/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2024 Defender | 14 | 19 | $4,800 | 563 | 3/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2023 Defender | 14 | 19 | $4,800 | 563 | 3/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 2022 Defender | 14 | 19 | $4,800 | 563 | 3/10 | 5L 8-cyl | |
| 1997 Defender | 12 | 14 | $5,950 | 684 | — | 4L 8-cyl | |
| 1995 Defender | 12 | 15 | $5,950 | 684 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 1994 Defender | 12 | 15 | $5,950 | 684 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 1993 Defender | 9 | 11 | $7,700 | 889 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl |
The 2026 Land Rover Defender (2L 4-cyl) gets 20 mpg combined and costs about $3,850/yr to fuel, emitting 452 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10) — about $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Defender | 18 | 22 | $3,850 | 452 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Defender | 18 | 20 | $4,050 | 474 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Defender | 18 | 20 | $4,050 | 474 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Defender | 18 | 21 | $4,050 | 465 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Defender | 18 | 21 | $4,050 | 466 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 Defender | 18 | 21 | $4,050 | 466 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 Defender | 18 | 21 | $4,050 | 466 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
The 2026 Land Rover Defender (3L 6-cyl Hybrid) gets 20 mpg combined and costs about $3,850/yr to fuel, emitting 453 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10) — about $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Defender | 18 | 22 | $3,850 | 453 | — | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2025 Defender | 18 | 20 | $4,050 | 479 | 6/10 | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2024 Defender | 18 | 22 | $3,850 | 453 | 7/10 | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2023 Defender | 18 | 23 | $3,850 | 444 | 7/10 | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2022 Defender | 17 | 22 | $4,050 | 462 | 7/10 | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2021 Defender | 17 | 22 | $4,050 | 462 | 7/10 | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2020 Defender | 17 | 22 | $4,050 | 462 | 7/10 | 3L 6-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Defender stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Defender's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Land Rover Defender have? Power & range
The Land Rover Defender is offered with 3 powertrains — 5L 8-cyl, 2L 4-cyl, 3L 6-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.0L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4WD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4WD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4WD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Land Rover Defender tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Land Rover Defender is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Defender's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Land Rover Defender cost to own?
A used Land Rover Defender sells for a median of about $90,141 for a 2026 — most listed between $73,481 and $125,236, from 157 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Defender | $73,481–$125,236 | 39 | |
| 2025 Defender | $58,756–$84,308 | 14 | |
| 2024 Defender | $57,081–$66,595 | 12 | |
| 2023 Defender | $44,988–$69,988 | 24 | |
| 2022 Defender | $40,995–$51,209 | 23 | |
| 2021 Defender | $25,000–$57,450 | 8 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Defender is worth today, or browse used-market prices for SUVs.
A Land Rover Defender tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Defender loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $19,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Defender ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Land Rover Defender to insure?
A Land Rover Defender costs about $1,675 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 17% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (117, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Defender's HLDI loss index. See Land Rover insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Land Rover Defender safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Defender yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Land Rover Defender last?
A well-maintained Land Rover Defender typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Land Rover Defender’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Defender’s VIN free →All Land Rover Defender model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Land Rover Defender — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Defender | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2025 Defender | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2024 Defender | 6 recalls | — | |
| 2023 Defender | 9 recalls | — | |
| 2022 Defender | 6 recalls | — | |
| 2021 Defender | 9 recalls | — | |
| 2020 Defender | 7 recalls | — | |
| 1997 Defender | 1 recall | — | |
| 1995 Defender | 2 recalls | — | |
| 1994 Defender | 1 recall | — | |
| 1993 Defender | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Defender?
By owner-complaint volume, 2020, 1993, 2026 drew the most reports. 1994, 1997, 2021 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Defender have?
47 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1993–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Land Rover recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Defender get?
Up to 20 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Defender last?
A well-maintained Defender typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Defender reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Defender is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Land Rover Defender warranty?
New Land Rover models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Land Rover dealer.
Where is the Land Rover Defender made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Defender's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Land Rover may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Defender have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.