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Land Rover Defender Problems, Recalls and Owner Complaints by Model Year
Across 7 model years, NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 303 owner complaints for the Land Rover Defender. Newest model year first. Data as of October 25, 2026.
Land Rover Defender by model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Land Rover Defender | 0 | 6 | |
| 2025 Land Rover Defender | 0 | 13 | |
| 2024 Land Rover Defender | 0 | 27 | |
| 2023 Land Rover Defender | 0 | 85 | |
| 2022 Land Rover Defender | 0 | 75 | |
| 2021 Land Rover Defender | 0 | 42 | |
| 2020 Land Rover Defender | 8 | 55 |
Model years with no recall and fewer than three complaints are not listed. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. All Land Rover models.
Land Rover Defender: questions owners ask
Which Land Rover Defender year has the most problems?
By owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the Land Rover Defender model years with the most are the 2023 (85), 2022 (75) and 2020 (55). Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are naturally lower; compare years of a similar age.
Which Land Rover Defender years have the fewest complaints?
Leaving out the newest model years (too new to compare), the fewest owner complaints were filed for the 2024 (27), 2021 (42) and 2020 (55), out of 5 model years from 2020 to 2024. A low count can also mean that year sold fewer cars.
How many recalls does the Land Rover Defender have?
NHTSA lists recalls for 1 Land Rover Defender model years, 8 in total when counted per model year (one recall often covers several years). The years with the most are the 2020 (8), 2021 (0) and 2022 (0). Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Which Land Rover Defender years have the most headlight and taillight complaints?
41 owner complaints across 4 Land Rover Defender model years describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. The most were filed for the 2021 (14), 2020 (12) and 2022 (12) model years, out of 4 years with such reports. Each model-year report has the owner quotes and any related recall.
Which Land Rover Defender years have the most stalling complaints?
20 owner complaints across 4 Land Rover Defender model years describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. The most were filed for the 2023 (8), 2022 (6) and 2020 (3) model years, out of 4 years with such reports. Each model-year report has the owner quotes and any related recall.
How often does the Land Rover Defender fail its MOT?
In 2023 UK MOT tests, the Land Rover Defender's first-time failure rate ranged from 3.9% for cars first registered in 2021 to 31.9% for 2010, across 9 registration years with at least 100 tests. Older cars fail more often. The most common failure areas were lights and electrics, brakes, suspension. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.