2026 Land Rover Defender recalls and problems

The 2026 Land Rover Defender has 3 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

Pictured: a 2025 model; the 2026 may differ in details. Photo: 2025 Land Rover Defender by Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How the 2026 compares

Low

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 10 Defender model years — 7th most. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.

3recalls

6complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

—median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Air Bags

Jun 12, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V389000 · 250,857 vehicles

Problem: 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 driverâs air bag clockspring connector may corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.

Risk: 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 driverâs air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D120.

Fuel System

Apr 23, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V263000 · 6 vehicles

Problem: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.

Risk: In the event of a crash, an improperly manufactured fuel tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D127.

Seat Belts

Mar 18, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V163000 · 582 vehicles

Problem: Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket may have an insufficient weld stud.

Risk: A seat belt assembly with an insufficient weld may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld-stud on the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's numbers for this recall are D098 and D113.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other2

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2026 vs. other Land Rover Defender years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2026. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2026 Land Rover Defender have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2026 Land Rover Defender, the latest from Jun 12, 2026 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2026 Land Rover Defender?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (2), unknown or other (2), air bags (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.