Worst 2021 Land Rover Defender Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Wipers & Visibility
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Electrical Faults
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Land Rover Defender.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wipers & Visibility | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Backup Camera | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Land Rover Defender. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2021 Land Rover Defender
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~46,438 vehicles.
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.
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.
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."
Other Land Rover Defender Years
2021 Land Rover Defender — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable?
What are common problems with the 2021 Land Rover Defender?
Does the 2021 Land Rover Defender have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2021 Land Rover Defender?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Land Rover Defender reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2021 Land Rover Defender
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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