Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Land Rover Defender
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Land Rover Defender has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V599000 Loss of Drive Power from DC-DC Converter Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V389000 Driver's Air Bag May Not Deploy in a Crash NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V248000 Loss of Drive Power from DC-DC Converter Failure NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24E102000 Raised Air Intake May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V044000 Engine Cam Carrier May Leak Oil NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V668000 Seat Belt Automatic Locking Retractor Malfunction NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V584000 Incorrect Child Restraint Information/FMVSS 225 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V499000 Deformed Front Seat Track Bracket NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V435000 Rear Taillight Assembly May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V424000 PCM May Switch Off and Cause Engine Stall NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Exterior Lighting 16 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 12 complaints
- Electrical System 5 complaints
- Unknown or Other 4 complaints
- Structure 3 complaints
- Back Over Prevention 1 complaint
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Land Rover Defender has 42 owner complaints and 10 recalls, suggesting an average reliability outlook. The electrical system and exterior lighting are recurrent issues. However, the data is somewhat limited, necessitating caution in drawing firm conclusions.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| exterior lighting | Unknown | $500–$1,200 | common |
| electrical system | Unknown | $600–$1,500 | occasional |
| visibility/wiper | Unknown | $150–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Coolant flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Drive belt inspection
- Cabin air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Inconsistent lighting behavior
- Electrical malfunctions
- Wiper performance issues
- Engine stalling
- Airbag deployment issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Land Rover Defender at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.