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 2026 is the cleanest year on record.
350
Total complaints
19
Recall campaigns
1990–2026
Years covered
5
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Defender years to avoid
Every Defender year
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 2026.
What is the best year for the Land Rover Defender?
By complaint volume, 2026 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 350 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.