Summary
The Land Rover Defender has 22 recalls spanning 1993 through 2026, with the most serious being a fuel tank defect on 2026 models where walls that are too thin can rupture in a crash and leak fuel, raising the risk of a fire.
The 2026 model year also has two third-row seat belt issues: the brackets securing the seat belt anchors may not hold in a crash, and a separate weld stud on the lower seat belt anchorage may be insufficient to restrain an occupant. On 2024 models, a near-field sensing module can overheat and prevent the surround and rearview camera images from displaying. The 2023-2024 oil filter housing can crack and leak oil onto hot engine or exhaust components, creating a fire risk under the hood. On 2023 Defender 130 vehicles that were modified for the TRek Off-Road Competition, brake calipers may not be properly reinstalled and can detach, reducing braking ability and damaging the wheel. Also on 2023 Defender 130 models with third-row seats, the seatback latch may not fully engage, weakening the attachment point for a child seat tether. The 2022-2023 model years have damaged seat belt pretensioners on the driver and front passenger side that can prevent the belts from properly restraining occupants in a crash. A 2023 software issue on vehicles with a 10-inch touchscreen can leave the display blank at startup, preventing the rearview camera image from appearing when reversing.
The 2020-2024 mild-hybrid models have a DC-DC converter that can fail and cut drive power without warning. The 2020-2021 six-cylinder models have a powertrain control module software fault that can stall the engine without warning while driving. The 2021 Defender 90 with manually-adjustable front seats has a seat track end-stop bracket that can deform and allow the seat to shift in a crash. On 2020-2022 Defender X models with smoked rear light assemblies, a voltage spike triggered by bright light hitting the rear of the vehicle can knock out the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights entirely. The 2020 model year has a raised air intake accessory that can work loose and detach while driving, becoming a road hazard. The 2020-2021 owner's manual incorrectly states that third-row seating includes LATCH child seat anchors with top tethers, which can lead to child seats being improperly secured.
Going back to the earliest production, 1993 models were built without the required hazardous substance warning label on the battery, which can lead to unsafe handling of battery acid.
