NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 9 recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2021 Land Rover Defender.
Complaints about the 2021 Land Rover Defender cluster heavily around lighting, particularly the headlight assembly. Owners most frequently report daytime running light failures, with many describing one or both DRLs going dark, sometimes both sides failing at once, sometimes just the passenger side. The halo-ring headlight element is a recurring subject as well, with owners noting it goes out and finding the repair costly or disputed under extended warranty coverage. Exterior lighting complaints follow a similar thread, pointing to the headlight unit as the main trouble spot across multiple reports. Visibility-related complaints make up the largest share of the complaint set by a significant margin. A smaller number of structural complaints appear but don't show a clear pattern at this volume. One isolated report describes a fuel line fracture causing a fuel leak and odor after refueling, but that detail comes from a single account and doesn't represent a broader pattern in this data set.
33
Total Complaints
By System
The 2021 Land Rover Defender has 9 recalls, the most serious being fire and stall risks: an engine oil leak that can ignite near a heat source, a powertrain control module that can shut off without warning and stall the engine in traffic, and a mild-hybrid drive system that can lose power unexpectedly.
On the engine side, a blocked oil channel in the cam carrier can allow oil to escape onto hot engine components, creating a fire risk. The powertrain control module issue only affects 6-cylinder models, where the module can cut out mid-drive with no warning, leaving the driver without engine power or braking assistance. The mild-hybrid electrical system shares a similar consequence, where a DC-to-DC converter fault can cause sudden loss of drive power.
Several recalls involve seating and occupant restraint. The front seat track end-stop bracket on Defender 90 models with manually-adjustable front seats can deform, preventing the seat from locking in position and allowing it to shift during a crash. The rear seatbelt automatic locking retractors can disengage too early, which means a child safety seat clipped to them may not stay firmly anchored in a collision. Separately, the driver's airbag clockspring connector can corrode over time and prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash.
Two recalls concern visibility and safety information. On Defender X models fitted with smoked rear light assemblies, a voltage spike triggered by bright light hitting the rear of the vehicle can knock out the brake lights, turn signals, and tail lights entirely, leaving drivers behind with
At a glance
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The driver's air bag clockspring connector can corrode over time, potentially preventing the air bag from deploying during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver's air bag connector terminals to prevent corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The DC-DC converter can fail due to a faulty boost control microchip. This failure stops the 12-volt charging system and can cause loss of engine power and exterior lights.
What the fix does
The repair procedure is being developed. Owners will receive notification letters starting June 12, 2026, with repair details to follow.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cam carrier oil channel may become blocked, potentially causing oil to leak from the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the engine cam carrier and replace it and related parts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt automatic locking retractors may stop working early, preventing child car seats from being secured properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manual incorrectly states that third-row seats have LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers, but they do not. This creates confusion about proper child seat installation.
What the fix does
Land Rover will mail corrected owner's manual information at no charge to clarify third-row seating child restraint capabilities.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat track end-stop bracket may deform, preventing the seat from locking securely in place.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front seat tracks at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain vehicles with manual front seat adjustment, the seat track end-stops may bend, preventing the seat from locking properly and potentially causing seat movement during a crash.
What the fix does
Jaguar Land Rover will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealer for front seat track replacement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A voltage spike triggered by bright light hitting the rear can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to stop working on certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles with smoked rear light assemblies.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Powertrain Control Module may unexpectedly shut off while driving, causing the engine to stall without warning.
What the fix does
Connected Diagnostic Services and Over-the-air diagnostics will be disabled by a dealer or through a wireless update, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
