2021 Land Rover DEFENDER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER has 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is visibility problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: problem statement: windshield issue: the windshield developed a sudden crack while the vehicle was stationary, with no external impact or action conditions: stationary, outside temp: 97 deg impacting: visibility and safety features such as cameras, sensor, and lane departure assist.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

VISIBILITY

13 complaints

34%

• Problem statement: Windshield Issue: The windshield developed a sudden crack while the vehicle was stationary, with no external impact or action Conditions: stationary, outside temp: 97 deg Impacting: visibility and safety features such as cameras, sensor, and lane departure assist
• The contact owns a 2021 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that the windshield cracked without impact, causing electrical issues. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that they were una
• Component: windshield Issue: under adverse temperature conditions ( e.g. high temp or low temp ) the windshield can develop a sudden crack, without any external impact. Conditions: above 95 deg F or below 30 deg F ; Status: vehicle could be stationary, or in motion; Hazard to occupants: Yes; Safety

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Problem statement: Windshield Issue: The windshield developed a sudden crack while the vehicle was stationary, with no external impact or action Conditions: stationary, outside temp: 97 deg Impacting: visibility and safety features such as cameras, sensor, and lane departure assist”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

10 complaints

26%

• We have two 2021 Defender 110 SE North American Specification models and these do not have the smoked tail lights as are on another recall. When subjected to a bright light, the entire assembly of tail, brake and turn signals fails on one side of the vehicle. This is also repeatable on the rear ligh
• This vehicle has been at the dealership for six weeks waiting on both headlamp replacements. Daytime running lights do not function. Intermittent headlamp function.
• Ever since I purchased my Defender back in 2021, the instrument cluster automatically dims. Usually when at dusk or dawn, the cluster dims so much, it is impossible to read with sunglasses, and very poorly lit without sunglasses. I have the dimmer switch set to the brightest setting, but it still au

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“We have two 2021 Defender 110 SE North American Specification models and these do not have the smoked tail lights as are on another recall. When subjected to a bright light, the entire assembly of tail, brake and turn signals fails on one side of the vehicle. This is also repeatable on the rear ligh”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

• 2 cracked windshields, car has only 15K miles- TONS of Defender owners on FB groups and forums same- some one 4th and 5th windshields- current wait to new ones from UK is 2-4 months. Land Rover knows these are defective and won'y admit/recall, just passing this off to customer. A new windshield is
• Windshield has hairline and becomes 2 differnt hairlines after a small peeble hit it Now on my 3rd windshield it happened again another hailine crack that keeps growing Land rover does not want to be responsible
• On or about August 7 or 8, my wife was driving our vehicle when it suddenly stalled and stopped running. Prior to this incident, we received a warning that the battery was low and that the vehicle needed to be started immediately. On August 9, I replaced the battery. That same day, we contacted the

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2 cracked windshields, car has only 15K miles- TONS of Defender owners on FB groups and forums same- some one 4th and 5th windshields- current wait to new ones from UK is 2-4 months. Land Rover knows these are defective and won'y admit/recall, just passing this off to customer. A new windshield is”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

3 complaints

• See attached document for complaint.
• See attached document for complaint.
• See attached document for complaint.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“See attached document for complaint.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• On or about August 7 or 8, my wife was driving our vehicle when it suddenly stalled and stopped running. Prior to this incident, we received a warning that the battery was low and that the vehicle needed to be started immediately. On August 9, I replaced the battery. That same day, we contacted the
• The daytime running lights (DRL) have failed in the passenger side. After some quick research, it's apparent that this is a widespread issue with the "Signature" halo lights in the Defender headlamp assembly. Reddit discussion: [XXX] ) Here is a Youtube video showing the issue and "fix". So many p

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“On or about August 7 or 8, my wife was driving our vehicle when it suddenly stalled and stopped running. Prior to this incident, we received a warning that the battery was low and that the vehicle needed to be started immediately. On August 9, I replaced the battery. That same day, we contacted the”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 38 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: Problem statement: Windshield Issue: The windshield developed a sudden crack while the vehicle was stationary, with no external impact or action Conditions: stationary, outside temp: 97 deg Impacting: visibility and safety features such as cameras, sensor, and lane departure assist
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: We have two 2021 Defender 110 SE North American Specification models and these do not have the smoked tail lights as are on another recall. When subjected to a bright light, the entire assembly of tail, brake and turn signals fails on one side of the vehicle. This is also repeatable on the rear ligh
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 2 cracked windshields, car has only 15K miles- TONS of Defender owners on FB groups and forums same- some one 4th and 5th windshields- current wait to new ones from UK is 2-4 months. Land Rover knows these are defective and won'y admit/recall, just passing this off to customer. A new windshield is
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: See attached document for complaint.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)