NHTSA (USA)Critical
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.
This page covers 8 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 8 recalls, the most serious involving drivetrain and fire risks: mild-hybrid models can lose drive power without warning, a blocked engine oil channel can cause a leak that may ignite, and 6-cylinder models have a powertrain control module that can shut off unexpectedly and stall the engine.
Two recalls address front seat security, both affecting vehicles with manually adjustable front seats: the seat track end-stop bracket can deform and prevent the seat from locking into position, allowing it to shift in a crash. On the restraint side, rear seatbelt retractors can release too early to properly secure a child safety seat, and the owner's manual incorrectly identifies the third-row seats as having LATCH child seat anchor points with top tethers when they do not, which can lead to a child seat being installed incorrectly. There is also a lighting concern on Defender X models with smoked rear light assemblies: a bright light shining on the back of the vehicle can trigger a voltage spike that knocks out the brake lights, turn signals, and tail lights.
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.
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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 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
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
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
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.
