2026 Land Rover Defender
Only 6 complaints 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 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2026
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2026: 6 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
Only 6 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Electrical system
2 of 6 total reports mention: electrical system.
Show complaint excerpts
My instrument cluster will dim to a nearly unreadable level at random times during the day. This appears to be a common and documented issue with Land Rover Defenders. I have seen a multitude of forum posts going back several years about this issue.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-23
Driving along when electrical warning light came on and car died. Coasted into safe parking space. Would not start. Dash controls would not respond. This is the day after we bought it.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-19
Service brakes
1 of 6 total reports 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, 2026-07-08
Also filed under Power train and engine
Power train
1 of 6 total reports mentions: power train.
Exterior lighting
1 of 6 total reports mentions: exterior lighting.
Engine
1 of 6 total reports mentions: engine.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2026-05-13Seat belts26V163000 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.
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2026-06-17Fuel system, gasoline26V263000 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.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
2026 Land Rover Defender — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 2 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 1 report on file for this year.
- Power train: 1 report on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 26V389000 · Air bags
- Recall 26V163000 · Seat belts
- Recall 26V263000 · Fuel system, gasoline
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 electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2026 Land Rover Defender have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.