VehicleVerdict

2025 Land Rover Defender problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 2025 Land Rover Defender — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2025 compare to other Defender years?

Defender NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 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, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Defender years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Land Rover Defender problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers640%
Transmission320%
Electrical System213%
Steering17%
Other17%
Engine17%
Fuel System17%

Does the 2025 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

2 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“30 years of car ownership have never had a chipped or cracked windshield. 2025 Land Rover Defender has had 3 rock chips in a year and now a 20" crack from very minor impact from a pebble. This windshield has a design flaw and is extremely fragile.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 20, 2026

“The DC converter went bad and within 30 seconds while driving on the highway I got a battery warning and then the car went into neutral and stopped and went into park and the car turned off in the middle of the road and couldn’t be moved at all. Luckily some cops came and protected the car from…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 24, 2026

“The DC converter went bad and within 30 seconds while driving on the highway I got a battery warning and then the car went into neutral and stopped and went into park and the car turned off in the middle of the road and couldn’t be moved at all. Luckily some cops came and protected the car from…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 24, 2026

“While driving on Back Rd in New Hampshire at approximately 30 mph on Saturday, Feb 14, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist and simultaneously shifted into neutral. I received warning messages and immediately lost propulsion. Luckily, there was no traffic on the road with me, but that is…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 14, 2026

“I was driving on [XXX] In Sarasota County, Florida, at approximately 70mph I witnessed flames coming from passenger rear portion of the car, I pulled over and jumped out at the interior was filled with smoke. In less than 15 minutes the car completely burned to nothing but black molten metal. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 26, 2025 · fire

2025 Land Rover Defender — common questions

Is the 2025 Land Rover Defender reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2025 Defender problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (6 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2025 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Land Rover Defender. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.