2026 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 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
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
1 of 1 total report mentions: service brakes.
Show complaint excerpts
The transmission has failed twice while the vehicle was in motion, causing loss of gear control and, on one occasion, loss of parking brake function.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260708
1 of 1 total report mentions: power train.
Show complaint excerpts
The transmission has failed twice while the vehicle was in motion, causing loss of gear control and, on one occasion, loss of parking brake function.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260708
1 of 1 total report mentions: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
The transmission has failed twice while the vehicle was in motion, causing loss of gear control and, on one occasion, loss of parking brake function.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260708
SAFETY TIMELINE
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket may have an insufficient weld stud.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld-stud on the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837.
Campaign 26V163000 — check if this car was fixed
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D127.
Campaign 26V263000 — 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
2026 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 26V389000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V163000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 26V263000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2026 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 2026 Land Rover Defender?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Land Rover Defender have?
3 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.