CarRecordBook

Model year record

2023 Land Rover Defender recalls & problems

The 2023 Land Rover Defender has 10 safety recalls and 87 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (42 complaints).

Recalls10safety recalls
Complaints87filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemSep 17, 2026

Propulsion system › Dc/dc converter

Recall 26V59900023,677 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand. Additionally, a software error can cause the DC-DC converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up under certain circumstances. Failure of the DC-DC converter will result in the loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is E008. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V248.
Air bagsJun 12, 2026

Frontal

Recall 26V389000250,857 vehicles

Problem
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’s air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s 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.
Electrical systemApr 17, 2026

Propulsion system › Dc/dc converter

Recall 26V248000170,169 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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). Insufficient electrical load balancing during times of high demand can lead to a current overload condition and malfunction of the DCDC converter. 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.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the central software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final 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.
EquipmentJan 16, 2025

Electrical › Infotainment › Video (touch)screen/monitor/unit

Recall 25V01600028,370 vehicles

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the touchscreen software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N972.

Components: Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Video (touch)screen/monitor/unit; Back over prevention › Software

EquipmentDec 6, 2024

Equipment

Recall 24E102000485 vehicles

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with Raised Air Intake (RAI) aftermarket accessory equipment, with part number VPLEP0543. The raised air intake may not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach from the vehicle.
Risk
A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N964.

Components: Equipment; Structure › Body › Roof and pillars

Engine and engine coolingJun 17, 2024

Engine › Oil/lubrication › Filter/screen

Recall 24V4500002,013 vehicles

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N908.
Service brakes, hydraulicNov 22, 2023

Critical fasteners

Recall 23V789000121 vehicles

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles modified for the TRek Off-Road Competition. The brake calipers may not be reinstalled properly, allowing the brake calipers to detach.
Risk
Detached brake calipers can reduce braking ability and cause structural wheel damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will reinstall the brake calipers, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 18, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N848.
Child seatMar 2, 2023

Vehicle tether anchor

Recall 23V137000812 vehicles

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The third-row seatback latch may not latch properly, reducing the strength of a child seat installed to the top tether.
Risk
A child seat with reduced strength may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the third-row seat frame and components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N768.

Components: Child seat › Vehicle tether anchor; Seats › Mid/rear assembly

Engine and engine coolingFeb 2, 2023

Engine › Oil/lubrication

Recall 23V0440006,724 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix
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.
Seat beltsJul 21, 2022

Pretensioner

Recall 22V5230004,927 vehicles

Problem
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.
Risk
Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N720.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2023 Land Rover Defender 110 SUV 4WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2023 Land Rover Defender 130 SUV 4WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2023 Land Rover Defender 90 SUV 4WD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Defender 110 MHEV Hybrid

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 23 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Defender 90 MHEV Hybrid

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 23 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

Defender 90

19mpg combined
City / highway18 / 21 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Defender 130 P300 MHEV Hybrid

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 21 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Defender 130 P400 MHEV Hybrid

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 21 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Defender 110

18mpg combined
City / highway17 / 20 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Defender 90

16mpg combined
City / highway15 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Defender 110

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system42000—
Visibility/wiper14000—
Engine13000—
Exterior lighting10000—
Power train7000—
Steering7000—
Lane departureAssist; Warning7000—
Unknown or other4000—
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Adaptive cruise control4000—
Fuel/propulsion system2000—
Vehicle speed control1000—
Tires1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.