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#BS-2021-LANDEF-104F2021 Land Rover DefenderProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 48 owners and 10 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Proceed with Caution
Based on 48 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 10 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.1x the class average.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
16 owners reported lights issues — failures commonly reported around 35K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Lights (16 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2021 Land Rover Defender: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Lights Issues
Lights complaints account for 33% of all reports filed for the 2021 Land Rover Defender, with 16 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 35,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 35K-mile mark.
Visibility Issues
Visibility complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2021 Land Rover Defender, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to visibility-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2021 Land Rover Defender, with 5 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:body Issues
Structure:body complaints account for 4% of all reports filed for the 2021 Land Rover Defender, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Land Rover Defender. Recent trend: stable.
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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (10 recalls)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
SEATS
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.
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
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."
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
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.
+ 5 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2021 Land Rover Defender NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
Not ratedFrontal crash
Not ratedSide crash
Not ratedRollover
Not ratedFrom NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
The worst model year for the Land Rover Defender is the 2024 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is windows / windshield.
2021 Land Rover Defender vs. Class Average (Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD)
This vehicle
48
Class avg
23
2.1x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical standard sport utility vehicle 4wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 48 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 10 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Land Rover Defender Model Years
View all Land Rover Defender years →2021 Land Rover Defender: Frequently Asked Questions
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