VehicleVerdict

2024 Land Rover Defender problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2024 Land Rover Defender carries two red flags at once: 38 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 15.2× the Defender norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Rear Seat Belt Stitching Failure and Detachment). It is one of the Defender years to avoid.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (32% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2024 compare to other Defender years?

Defender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2024 highlighted101 complaints1990: 1 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 1 complaints1999: 1 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 4 complaints2003: 3 complaints2020: 63 complaints2021: 38 complaints2022: 82 complaints2023: 101 complaints2024: 38 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Defender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2024 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Defender years to avoid →

What are the most common 2024 Land Rover Defender problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1232%
Driver Assistance718%
Steering513%
Other411%
Engine38%
Lighting25%
Fuel System25%
Seat Belts13%
Transmission13%
Visibility & Wipers13%

Does the 2024 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V389000AirbagsJune 12, 2026 · 250,857 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 7, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.

26V248000Electrical SystemApril 17, 2026 · 170,169 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar and Land Rover Discovery, 2020-2023 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover, 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Jaguar F-Pace, and 2021-2022 Jaguar E-Pace mild-hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs.) The DC-DC converter can fail due to an internal fault in the boost control microchip. A failure of the DC-DC converter will result in a loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is currently under development. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.

25V016000Driver AssistanceJanuary 16, 2025 · 28,370 units

Defect

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.

24E102000OtherDecember 6, 2024 · 485 units

Defect

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.

24V678000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2024 · 180 units

Defect

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2024 Defender, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Velar, and Range Rover Sport vehicles. The Near Field Sensing Module (NFSM) may overheat and cause the 3D surround camera images, including the rearview camera image, not to display.

Consequence

A rearview camera image that does not display can decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the NFSM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2024. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N927.

24V450000EngineJune 17, 2024 · 2,013 units

Defect

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25019

Rear Seat Belt Stitching Failure and Detachment

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1 complaint stating that a rear row seat belt became detached in a model year (MY) 2024 Land Rover Defender.Photos of the seat belt received with the complaint show that the stitching of the webbing of the seat belt appears to have not been properly formed. An improperly stitched seat belt can become detached during a collision. Detachment of the seat belt increases the risk and severity of injury in a collision. This is especially concerning for children and children in child seats. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. To review the ODI report cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

Yes, my car caught fire. It's at an impound currently. My clothes caught fire when I tried putting it out. The car could have been parked in my garage or been in NYC, with a full tank of gas, that would have caused serious damage. My insurance company is sending an investigator to look into it…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 28, 2026 · fire

Infotainment screen intermetittetly doesn't work which then prohibits the use of the backup camera(s). Worried about the lack of visibility in reverse. Multiple service trips to the dealership with no resolution.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · August 15, 2024

Yes, my car caught fire. It's at an impound currently. My clothes caught fire when I tried putting it out. The car could have been parked in my garage or been in NYC, with a full tank of gas, that would have caused serious damage. My insurance company is sending an investigator to look into it…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 28, 2026 · fire

We were driving at highway speeds on paved, dry road. The vehicle threw a electrical fault error. As I drove to a safe location to pull over, the vehicle switched into Neutral, every warning light on the dash lit up and my power steering failed. We barely coasted to a safe spot on the shoulder of…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 2, 2024

The manufacturer became aware of this issue approximately six months ago. At this time, no repair is available. I am driving to a remote location without consistent phone service and the manufacturer and dealer will not offer a loaner vehicle. I believe that Land Rover should offer a trade in for a…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2025

2024 Land Rover Defender — common questions

Is the 2024 Land Rover Defender reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 38 complaints put the 2024 model at #4 of 16 Defender years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Defender years to avoid.

What are the most common 2024 Defender problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), driver assistance (7 complaints), steering (5 complaints).

Does the 2024 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2024 Land Rover Defender. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2024 Land Rover Defender under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Rear Seat Belt Stitching Failure and Detachment). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Land Rover Defender years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Defender years to avoid are 2023, 2022, 2020, 2021, 2024. The cleanest record among Defender years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.