Land Rover Defender years to avoid
The Land Rover Defender years to avoid are 2023, 2022, 2020, 2021, 2024 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1994 is the cleanest year on record.
394
Total complaints
19
Recall campaigns
1990–2026
Years covered
5
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Defender years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | High complaint rate | 106 | |
| 2022 | High complaint rate | 93 | |
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 73 | |
| 2021 | High complaint rate | 44 | |
| 2024 | High complaints + open investigation | 43 |
Every Defender year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2025 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2024avoid | 43 | 6 | |
| 2023avoid | 106 | 9 | |
| 2022avoid | 93 | 6 | |
| 2021avoid | 44 | 9 | |
| 2020avoid | 73 | 7 | |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Land Rover Defender years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Defender years to avoid are 2023, 2022, 2020, 2021, 2024. The cleanest year on record is 1994.
What is the best year for the Land Rover Defender?
By complaint volume, 1994 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Defender years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Land Rover Defender have?
Across all model years, the Defender has 19 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 394 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.