Is the 2023 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 2023 Land Rover Defender?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2023 Land Rover Defender have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

2023 Land Rover Defender

○ Not enough data

2023 Land Rover Defender
RENDERED 2026-11-01T00:19:40.896Z

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: 85
Recalls: 10
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Electrical system

Complaints per year

2023: 85 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.

Electrical system

47% · 40 reports

Show complaint excerpts

We purchased this vehicle new on 3/22/23. On 3/23/24 we started having "Charging System Fault" Red Warning Lights on the dash. Our first service to remedy this issue was on 3/23/24 with 288 miles on the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-16

Three days before leaving for a trip from [XXX] to [XXX] my Land Rover Defender gave me a Low Battery warning. There was no time to take it to the dealership so I bought a new battery and put it in myself, then drove the 700 miles to [XXX].

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-27

Visibility/wiper

16% · 14 reports

Show complaint excerpts

Front windshield is extremely fragile. The smallest rock will create a chip which will spider across the windshield within a couple days. I have an older Land Rover and there have been more rocks with only a few small chips and no spider.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21

Heated windshield cracked spontaneously overnight while parked in driveway at home. Nothing hit it or caused any damage to windshield. Crack appears to have originated at base of windshield and come up and then curved over towards driver…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-03

Engine

15% · 13 reports

Show complaint excerpts

The 2023 Land Rover Defender said emissions fault and died in 4 lanes of busy traffic. This has happened since the first few miles but usually happens in a parking lot. The Defender also throws itself into neutral while in drive.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-19

When stopped at stoplight engine gear slips to neutral without warning. When applying gas it becomes apparent itâs no longer in drive. Has happened 8 plus times and Iâve had this new car less than 2weeks.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-07-14

Exterior lighting

12% · 10 reports

Show complaint excerpts

Without warning, the driver's side front Daytime Running Light (DRL) signature halo ring suffered a complete electrical failure while driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-19

My 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 X Dynamic is less than four years old and recently passed its 50,000-mile new-vehicle warranty limit. A LED daytime running light (DRL) should not fail this early.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-28

The Halo/daylight running light has burned out. I have found on the internet that this is a know issue. Mine burned out at 57,000 miles. The dealer wants over $3000 to fix it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-22

Steering

8% · 7 reports

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

R

2022-09-16Seat belts22V523000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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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

2023-04-24Child seat, seats23V137000 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles equipped with third-row seats.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2024-01-18Service brakes, hydraulic23V789000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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R

2024-06-27Engine and engine cooling24V450000 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.

Remedy: 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.

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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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2025-03-03Back over prevention, equipment25V016000 Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

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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 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 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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2023 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Electrical system: 40 reports on file for this year.
Visibility/wiper: 14 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 13 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V248000 · Electrical system
Recall 26V389000 · Air bags
Recall 26V599000 · Electrical system
Recall 22V523000 · Seat belts
Recall 23V044000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 23V137000 · Child seat, seats
Recall 23V789000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 24V450000 · Engine and engine cooling
Recall 24E102000 · Equipment, structure
Recall 25V016000 · Back over prevention, equipment

FAQ

Is the 2023 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 2023 Land Rover Defender?: The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2023 Land Rover Defender have?: 10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.