2026 Land Rover Defender: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 3 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes.
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We were dreiving along at 40 miles per hour the check engine light came on a emergecy waring came on 2 seconds later and the car complete stop went dead. The car was towed back to the delaership and set their being worked on for 3 weeks, we never got a indicaito as to what happened, get car back 3 days later check engone lioght on again. This time we pulled over on the road and called roadside, car was pick up 10 dasy agon no communications from dealer. This is a satefy hazard that need to be reviwed”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket may have an insufficient weld stud.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld-stud on the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D098 and D113.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2026 Discovery, and 2022-2026 Range Rover vehicles. The driver's air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver's air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D127.
How other years compare
Check your exact Defender by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Land Rover Defender reliable?
NHTSA has 3 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2026 Land Rover Defender. The most complained-about area is service brakes.
Does the 2026 Land Rover Defender have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:critical fasteners. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.