This 2023 model shows concerning reliability, primarily driven by 7 recallsβabove the LAND ROVER averageβcentered on the engine and engine cooling.
Key Factor:elevated engine and engine cooling issues
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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
Powertrain issues affect both daily reliability and long-term ownership costs. Unexpected stalling creates inconvenience at best and safety hazards at worst.
Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.
Given this model year's elevated concern level, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Focus Area:powertrain reliability
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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:
Safety & Reliability Score
29/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-56
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-10
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2023 LAND ROVER Defender
Model Year2023
MakeLAND ROVER
ModelDefender
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Scroll for more β
Feb22
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan23
NEWProduction
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan23
RECALLRecall Issued
Feb23
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 2023 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
SEAT BELTSENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCHILD SEATSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICEQUIPMENTBACK OVER PREVENTION
Official Safety Recalls (7)
Campaign: 22V523000
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2022-23 Land Rover Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport and 2022 Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners may be damaged, which can cause the seat belts to not properly restrain occupants.
Consequence
Improperly restrained occupants have an increased risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N720.
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: 23V137000
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The third-row seatback latch may not latch properly, reducing the strength of a child seat installed to the top tether.
Consequence
A child seat with reduced strength may not properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the third-row seat frame and components, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N768.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Campaign: 23V789000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Land Rover Defender 130 vehicles modified for the TRek Off-Road Competition. The brake calipers may not be reinstalled properly, allowing the brake calipers to detach.
Consequence
Detached brake calipers can reduce braking ability and cause structural wheel damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will reinstall the brake calipers, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 18, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N848.
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: 24V450000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:FILTER/SCREEN
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Defender, 2024 Discovery, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Range Rover Velar vehicles. The oil filter housing can crack and leak oil into the engine compartment.
Consequence
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the filter housing, oil filter, and o-rings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N908.
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.
Campaign: 25V016000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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Summary
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2023 Discovery Sport, 2023-2024 Defender, and 2023 Range Rover Evoque vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank at vehicle startup, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the touchscreen software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2025. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N972.
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 2023 Defender.
INV-2023-1000π’ Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Defender performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 40,589
INV-2023-1001π’ Closed
NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Defender performance issues.
Opened: Affected Units: 45,348
Consumer Complaints
0 complaints
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No consumer complaints recorded for this vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any recalls for the 2023 LAND ROVER Defender?
Yes, the 2023 LAND ROVER Defender has 7 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION, CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR.
Is the 2023 LAND ROVER Defender safe to drive?
The 2023 LAND ROVER Defender has 7 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.
Where can I check if my 2023 LAND ROVER Defender has open recalls?
You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local LAND ROVER dealer.
πYear-over-Year Context
πElevated Activity
Compared to earlier years, the 2023 model shows declining reliability trends, largely due to new engine and engine cooling components introduced in this generation. Recall frequency increased 75% versus the 2022 version.
π―Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Engine and engine cooling
Issue: presents fire risk under certain conditions
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm engine and engine cooling recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all engine and engine cooling recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaigns:23V04400024V450000
2
Seat belts
Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm seat belts recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all seat belts recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaign:22V523000
3
Child seat
Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk
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If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm child seat recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.
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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all child seat recalls are completed before purchase.
Campaign:23V137000
π‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your LAND ROVER dealer to verify recall completion status.
π§What This Means for You
This information is especially relevant for drivers who rely on stop-and-go traffic or frequently use auto start-stop systems.
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
Verify all 7 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your LAND ROVER dealer.
If any recalls are open, schedule service immediatelyβrecall repairs are always free.
Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used
Request full service history and documentation of all recall completions.
Consider whether adjacent model years (2022 or 2024) show better safety metrics.
Budget for thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on known problem areas.