2021 Land Rover Defender
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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 | 54 |
| 2021 | 39 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 80 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
33% of complaints: exterior lighting — 13 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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, 20260805
Ever since I purchased my Defender back in 2021, the instrument cluster automatically dims. Usually when at dusk or dawn, the cluster dims so much, it is impossible to read with sunglasses, and very poorly lit without sunglasses.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231026
This vehicle has been at the dealership for six weeks waiting on both headlamp replacements. Daytime running lights do not function. Intermittent headlamp function.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230922
31% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 12 distinct reports on file.
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, 20210920
13% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.
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, 20260813
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, 20260804
8% of complaints: structure — 3 distinct reports on file, 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, 20230919
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, 20210930
5% of complaints: back over prevention — 2 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing camera.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 21V424000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V584000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V435000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V668000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V499000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V044000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24E102000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 26V389000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 26V248000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2021 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V389000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V248000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V424000 (electrical system, power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V584000 (child seat, equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V435000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V668000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V499000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V044000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24E102000 (equipment, structure) has been completed.
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 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Land Rover Defender have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.