Is the 2021 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 2021 Land Rover Defender?

The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Land Rover Defender have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

2021 Land Rover Defender

○ Not enough data

2021 Land Rover Defender
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:53:00.461Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 42
Recalls: 10
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Exterior lighting

Complaints per year

2021: 42 complaints

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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

38% · 16 reports

Show complaint excerpts

The signature halo LED ring on the front headlight stopped working and has now failed completely, impairing headlight performance.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-24

On my 2021 Land Rover Defender 110, the front Daytime Running Light (DRL) halo unit experienced a complete illumination failure due to an internal component defect.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-18

The left headlight daytime running light has died due to a defective chip in the light itself. It may cause a higher chance of a daytime wreck because of reduced visibility. Also, more chance of me getting pulled over for my headlight not working.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05

Visibility/wiper

29% · 12 reports

Show complaint excerpts

Problem statement: Windshield Issue: The windshield developed a sudden crack while the vehicle was stationary, with no external impact or action Conditions: stationary, outside temp: 97 deg Impacting: visibility and safety features such as cameras,...

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-09-20

Electrical system

12% · 5 reports

Show complaint excerpts

On XXX at approximately 8:10am I received this red warning on my vehicle: "OK to drive with caution. Hybrid system fault detected." I was driving my daughter to daycare at the time and didn't feel safe continuing to do that.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-13

The contact owns a 2021 Land Rover Defender. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V248000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-04

Structure

7% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing body.

Show complaint excerpts

Since I got Certified Pre-Owned 2021 Defender 90 First Edition exactly a month ago I noticed at speeds higher than 65mph a crackling noise that sounded like sand hitting my windshield and assumed it was coming from the windshield wipers being...

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-19

The passenger A-Pillar on the vehicle is not secure tight enough to the vehicle or the windshield allowing air to pass underneath the weather stripping that lies on the windshield.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-09-30

Back over prevention

5% · 2 reports

Most commonly citing camera.

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

R

2021-07-28Electrical system, power train21V424000 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2021-09-23Child seat, equipment21V584000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2021-09-27Exterior lighting21V435000 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles equipped with smoked rear light assemblies.

Remedy: 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.

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2021-10-20Seat belts21V668000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2021-10-28Seats21V499000 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Defender 90 vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable front seats.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2023-03-29Engine and engine cooling23V044000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2025-02-20Equipment, structure24E102000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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R

Date not on fileAir bags26V389000 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.

Remedy: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driverâs air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026.

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R

Date not on fileElectrical system26V248000 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...

Remedy: 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.

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R

Date not on fileElectrical system26V599000 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover...

Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available.

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Buy-smart checklist

2021 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Exterior lighting: 16 reports on file for this year.
Visibility/wiper: 12 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V389000 · Air bags
Recall 26V248000 · Electrical system
Recall 26V599000 · Electrical system
Recall 21V424000 · Electrical system, power train
Recall 21V584000 · Child seat, equipment
Recall 21V435000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 21V668000 · Seat belts
Recall 21V499000 · Seats
Recall 23V044000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 24E102000 · Equipment, structure

FAQ

Is the 2021 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 2021 Land Rover Defender?: The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Land Rover Defender have?: 10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.