{"id":"2021_land_rover_defender","make":"Land Rover","make_slug":"land-rover","model":"Defender","model_slug":"defender","year":2021,"url":"/land-rover/defender/2021/","pts":["hev","gas"],"configs":[{"id":43138,"model":"Defender 110 MHEV","pt":"hev","drive":"4-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.0,"eng":"SIDI; Mild Hybrid","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":17,"hwy":22,"comb":19,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"48V Li-Ion","fuel":"Premium","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":462,"fe_score":3,"ghg_score":3,"fuel_cost":4100,"save_spend":-9250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"JLX","modified":"Thu Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43139,"model":"Defender 90 MHEV","pt":"hev","drive":"4-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":6,"displ":3.0,"eng":"SIDI; Mild Hybrid","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":17,"hwy":22,"comb":19,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"48V Li-Ion","fuel":"Premium","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":462,"fe_score":3,"ghg_score":3,"fuel_cost":4100,"save_spend":-9250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"JLX","modified":"Thu Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43639,"model":"Defender 90","pt":"gas","drive":"4-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":18,"hwy":21,"comb":19,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Premium","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":466,"fe_score":3,"ghg_score":3,"fuel_cost":4100,"save_spend":-9250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"JLX","modified":"Thu Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2021"},{"id":43638,"model":"Defender 110","pt":"gas","drive":"4-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (S8)","cyl":4,"displ":2.0,"eng":"SIDI","turbo":true,"super":false,"start_stop":true,"city":17,"hwy":20,"comb":18,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Premium","vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","co2":492,"fe_score":3,"ghg_score":3,"fuel_cost":4300,"save_spend":-10250,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"JLX","modified":"Thu Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2021"}],"vclass":"Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD","segment":"Midsize / large SUV","recalls":[{"campaign":"26V389000","component":"AIR BAGS:FRONTAL","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2026-06-12","owner_notified":"2026-07-31","units":250857,"summary":"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. The driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.","consequence":"An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.","remedy":"Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were  mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.","notes":"","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"D120","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"26V248000","component":"ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2026-04-17","owner_notified":"","units":170169,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender,  2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.","consequence":"A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.","remedy":"The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.","notes":"","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"D126 H575","initiated_by":"ODI","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"23V044000","component":"ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2023-02-02","owner_notified":"2023-03-29","units":6724,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles.  The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.","consequence":"An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.","remedy":"Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023.  Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.  Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N763","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"critical"},{"campaign":"21V668000","component":"SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2021-08-26","owner_notified":"2021-10-20","units":32687,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles.  The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.","consequence":"An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.","remedy":"Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge.  Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021.  Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.  Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N630","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V584000","component":"EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2021-07-29","owner_notified":"2021-09-23","units":7027,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles.  The owner's manual incorrectly states that the third-row seating is equipped with LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, \"Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.\"","consequence":"Incorrect child restraint information may result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.","remedy":"Land Rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021.  Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.  Land Rover's number for this recall is N601.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N601","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V499000","component":"SEATS","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2021-07-01","owner_notified":"2021-10-28","units":603,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Defender 90 vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable front seats.  The front seat track end-stop bracket may become deformed, which could prevent the seat from locking into place.","consequence":"A seat that is not properly locked into place can move unintentionally during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.","remedy":"Dealers will replace the front seat tracks, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed on October 28, 2021.  Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.  Land Rover's number for this recall is N609.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N609","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V435000","component":"EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2021-06-08","owner_notified":"2021-09-27","units":2622,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles equipped with smoked rear light assemblies.  A voltage spike, triggered by a bright light shining on the rear of the vehicle, can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to fail.","consequence":"Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.","remedy":"Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge.  Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021.  Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.  Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N598","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V424000","component":"POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)","mfr":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC","reported":"2021-06-03","owner_notified":"2021-07-28","units":163,"summary":"Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines.  The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no warning.","consequence":"An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.","remedy":"The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge.  Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021.  Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837.  Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"N599","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"}],"recall_count":8,"critical_count":1,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":35,"grade":"F","complaints":{"count":38,"crash":0,"fire":0,"injured":0,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Exterior Lighting",12],["Visibility/Wiper",12],["Electrical System",5],["Unspecified",4],["Structure",3],["Back Over Prevention",2]],"by_year":{"2021":5,"2022":8,"2023":7,"2024":3,"2025":7,"2026":8},"excerpts":[["2024-01-22","Steering","It happened after being parked at work for 9hrs. The \u00c2\u201clane assist not available!\u00c2\u201d warning came on when I started the car. I noticed the steering wheel was VERY hard to turn. You have to use both hands and lean with body weight to turn the wheel a few inches which when the car is at a stand-still. It did get a little \u2026"],["2023-12-05","Exterior Lighting","The passenger side headlight is malfunctioning. The halo and outer bulbs do not come on which disables the daylight running lights and reduces the effectiveness of the headlight at night. There is no warning light or message indicating the failure. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dealer and they \u2026"],["2023-11-05","Exterior Lighting","Headlamps are faulty. Replaced the drivers side at almost the end of the 49k miles and after about another 900 miles, the passenger side went out. There is a defect with these lights and they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re back ordered through the UK. Police have told me that I have a headlight out and there is nothing I can do about this."]]},"investigations":[],"ncap":[],"popularity":127,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":19,"ncap":null,"complaints":38},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 05:01 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}