Is the 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER reliable?

The 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (13 complaints, avg repair $500); LIGHTING (10 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER?

Yes, there are 9 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), SEATS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION, EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Land Rover dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER?

The 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER is approximately $2,373/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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 0.6x the segment average of 60. 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. There are 9 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

Recalls (9)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS08/06/2021

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.

Risk: Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Land Rover DEFENDER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,373

Full coverage / month

$198

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+42%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2373

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Land Rover New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

These are the terms for a new Land Rover. If you're buying a used 2021 DEFENDER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Land Rover dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 9 recalls have been completed — free at any Land Rover dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)