The 2021 Land Rover Defender exhibits a notable reliability profile, despite the presence of seven recalls. The primary concerns revolve around exterior lighting failures, seat belt retractor issues, and an owner's manual discrepancy regarding child seat restraints, all significant for safety and compliance.
Key Factor:Multiple safety recalls
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (7) than the average LAND ROVER vehicle (2.9). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
7 recalls for this vehicle2.9 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
πWhy This Matters
The recalls associated with the 2021 Land Rover Defender highlight potential risks that could affect vehicle safety and performance. With issues stemming from critical components such as exterior lighting and seat belts, the implications for driver and passenger safety are paramount. A failure in these systems could lead to severe consequences during operation, particularly in emergency situations where lighting or proper restraint is vital.
Moreover, the recalls indicate that quality control measures may have faltered during production. For a luxury brand like Land Rover, which prides itself on engineering excellence, this raises questions about overall manufacturing standards and long-term reliability expectations within this segment of vehicles.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Various
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (2.9)
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Summary: Considering the number of recalls versus the absence of complaints for the 2021 model year, itβs clear that while some attention has been given to specific components, overall consumer experience has yet to reflect these issues publicly. This scenario places the Defender's risk profile slightly below what might be expected from a premium SUV intended for both luxury and off-road capabilities.
Safety & Reliability Score
29/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-56
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-10
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender
Model Year2021
MakeLAND ROVER
ModelDefender
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Scroll for more β
May14
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar21
RECALLRecall Issued
Aug21
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb23
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jun24
RECALLRecall Issued
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No Consumer Complaints Reported
Great news! There are currently no consumer complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender. This is a positive indicator of owner satisfaction.
π οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGSEAT BELTSEQUIPMENTPOWER TRAINSEATSENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Exterior Lighting
Issue: Potential failure of tail lights due to voltage spikes.
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Regularly check tail light functionality to ensure they are operational.
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Verify if previous owners addressed any exterior lighting issues reported under recall campaigns.
Campaign:21V344000
2
Seat Belts
Issue: Automatic locking retractors may deactivate prematurely.
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Inspect seat belt function regularly, especially when using child restraint systems.
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Confirm if seat belt recall repairs have been completed before purchasing.
Campaign:21V214000
3
Owner's Manual Compliance
Issue: 'LATCH' system may not be correctly specified in owner's manual.
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Campaign:21V059000
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your LAND ROVER dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (7)
Campaign: 21V435000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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Summary
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.
Consequence
Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 21V668000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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Summary
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.
Consequence
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 21V584000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
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Summary
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."
Consequence
Incorrect child restraint information may result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
Land Rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N601.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 21V424000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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Summary
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.
Consequence
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 21V499000
SEATS
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Defender 90 vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable front seats. The front seat track end-stop bracket may become deformed, which could prevent the seat from locking into place.
Consequence
A seat that is not properly locked into place can move unintentionally during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front seat tracks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N609.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 23V044000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
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Summary
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.
Consequence
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 24E102000
EQUIPMENT
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Summary
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.
Consequence
A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the RAI accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N964.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
2 investigations
Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2021 Defender.
INV-2021-1000π’ Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Defender performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 10,197
INV-2021-1001π’ Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Defender performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 34,750
Consumer Complaints
0 complaints
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No consumer complaints recorded for this vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
'What should I know about the safety features of a 2021 Land Rover Defender?'
'The 2021 Land Rover Defender includes essential safety features, but recent recalls concerning exterior lighting and seat belts signal caution. Potential failures in these areas could impact performance during critical driving situations. Regular maintenance checks are advised to ensure all systems function properly.'
'Are there reliability concerns with earlier models of the Land Rover Defender compared to the 2021 model?'
'While earlier models had their own set of challenges related to mechanical reliability and electronic systems, the influx of recalls in recent iterations like the 2021 model indicates that manufacturers continue to refine their processes. It's essential for prospective buyers to stay informed about any recall history across model years.'
πYear-over-Year Context
πElevated Activity
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows declining reliability trends, largely due to new equipment components introduced in this generation. Recall frequency increased 40% versus the 2020 version.
π§What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified LAND ROVER service centerβrepairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in LAND ROVER's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Critical: Demand official documentation showing every LAND ROVER recall has been satisfied.
Investigate whether later Defender iterations (2022+) rectified these persistent issues.
A pre-purchase inspection by a LAND ROVER specialist is mandatory given the recorded failure patterns.