Power
0–100 km/h
Top speed
Fuel (combined)
What owners say
Overview
Sentiment is sharply divided by generation. For the classic, pre-2016 Defender (including Td5, TDI, and Puma models), owner sentiment is overwhelmingly positive among enthusiasts, characterized by deep affection for its rugged, utilitarian character, legendary off-road capability
Known issues
• Modern Defender (Post-2019):, Major mechanical failures (engine replacement, supercharger/battery failure, coolant leaks with piston-cooling jet failure) – very frequent.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearSource: NHTSA (US)Show table
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2023 | 225 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2022 | 128 | 0 | electrical system |
| 2021 | 66 | 0 | visibility/wiper |
| 2020 | 48 | 7 | exterior lighting |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | tires |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | service brakes |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices7 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2020 · exterior lighting:tail lightscampaign 21V435000
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.
2020 · equipment:other:owners/service/other manualcampaign 21V584000
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 V
2020 · power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)campaign 21V424000
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.
2020 · engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubricationcampaign 23V044000
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.
2020 · equipmentcampaign 24E102000
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.
2020 · electrical system:propulsion system:dc/dc convertercampaign 26V248000
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
2020 · air bags:frontalcampaign 26V389000
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.
Specifications
Generation
Version
5.0 V8 P500 (500 Hp) AWD Automatic
From 2023-2026
Quick facts
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