2003 Land Rover Defender
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 0
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
None on file
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2003: 1 complaint
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 42 |
| 2022 | 76 |
| 2023 | 85 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Visibility
1 of 1 total report mentions: visibility, most commonly citing power window devices and controls.
Show complaint excerpts
At 30,000 miles, we took the vehicle in to be "Serviced" Mainly because another mechanic told us that the oil was 'gunked'.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-11-20
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and service brakes, hydraulic
Service brakes
1 of 1 total report mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Engine and engine cooling
1 of 1 total report mentions: engine and engine cooling.
Safety timeline
No recalls on file for this model year.
0 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Visibility: 1 report on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 1 report on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 1 report on file for this year.
FAQ
- Is the 2003 Land Rover Defender reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Land Rover Defender?
- The most-reported component is visibility, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Land Rover Defender have?
- No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.