2023 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 | 48 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 64 |
| 2023 | 75 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
49% of complaints: electrical system — 37 distinct reports on file.
17% of complaints: visibility/wiper — 13 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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 side
NHTSA ODI report, 20231003
16% of complaints: engine — 12 distinct reports on file.
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, 20230919
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, 20220714
9% of complaints: steering — 7 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: power train — 6 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
Stopped on an uphill grade, start stop on vehicle activated, engine stopped. Upon brake release, engine started, vehicle made uncommanded shift from drive to neutral, rolled backward several feet before brake could be reapplied.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220731
Vehicle makes uncommanded shifts from drive into neutral when the engine restarts after stopping during an auto start-stop cycle. Driver has to manually re-engage drive after this happens.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220523
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 22V523000 — 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 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.
Campaign 23V137000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 23V789000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 24V450000 — 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 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.
Campaign 25V016000 — 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
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2023 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (37 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for visibility/wiper issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V248000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V389000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V523000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V044000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V137000 (child seat, seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V789000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V450000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24E102000 (equipment, structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V016000 (back over prevention, equipment) has been completed.
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 49% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2023 Land Rover Defender have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.