Land Rover Defender years to avoid and best years
There are not enough Land Rover Defender years yet to compare newer ones with older ones. 2020 has the most complaints per year, at 8 (55 complaints). Among years old enough to compare, 2020 has the fewest complaints per year, at 8, from 55 complaints. The Land Rover Defender 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet. On the 2020 Land Rover Defender, 17 of 55 complaints name Exterior lighting.
Data as of .
Land Rover Defender reliability by year
Each year is complaints filed in that year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. A model year younger than 3 years is too early to compare, so it is left out of the years named as having the fewest or the most complaints. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market Land Rover Defender. How we count.
By model year
| Year | Per year on the road | Complaints | Recalls | Most-filed complaint | Avg. combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Too early | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | 18 |
| 2025 Too early | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | 17.8 |
| 2024 → | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | 17.9 |
| 2023 → | 0 | 0 | 10 | — | 18.4 |
| 2022 → | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | 17.8 |
| 2021 → | 0 | 0 | 10 | — | 18.8 |
| 2020 → Most | 8 | 55 | 8 | Exterior lighting | 18.8 |
Years with a → link have a full model-year page.
What owners file about
Generations
- Body styles
- SUV
- Oil
- 0W-20 (engine dependent; capacities vary) · 7.4 qt capacity
- Tire size
- 255/70R18, 255/65R19, 255/60R20, 275/45R22 (trim dependent)
Known issues for this generation
Recall 23V-044 covers certain 2020-2023 Land Rover Defender vehicles among other Land Rover models: the engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak and increase fire risk near an ignition source. Dealers inspect and replace the cam carrier and related components as necessary. The campaign's published unit count is shared across Range Rover Sport, Range Rover, Defender, Discovery, and Velar years listed. Recall 21V-435 covers certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles with smoked rear light assemblies: a voltage spike can cause turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to fail; dealers replace the rear light assemblies. Recall 26V-389 covers certain 2020-2026 Defender vehicles among other Land Rover models: the driver's air bag clockspring connector may corrode so the air bag may not deploy as intended; dealers apply protective lubricant gel to the connector terminals.
Frequently asked questions
Which Land Rover Defender years have fewer owner complaints?
Among years old enough to compare, 2020 has the fewest complaints per year, at 8, from 55 complaints.
Which Land Rover Defender year has the most owner complaints?
2020 has the most complaints per year, at 8 (55 complaints). On the 2020 Land Rover Defender, 17 of 55 complaints name Exterior lighting.
How do Land Rover Defender owner complaints compare by year?
There are not enough Land Rover Defender years yet to compare newer ones with older ones.
Which Land Rover Defender years are too early to compare?
The Land Rover Defender 2025 and 2026 model years are too early to compare: none has had 3 full years on the road yet.
What oil does a Land Rover Defender (L663) use?
Engine-dependent specs cite 0W-20 with about 7.4 qt capacity on common U.S. setups; always confirm viscosity and fill in the manual for your engine code.
What tire sizes fit the modern Defender?
Trim-dependent OE sizes include 255/70R18 through 275/45R22; check the door placard rather than assuming one size for every Defender trim.
Which NHTSA recalls mention the Land Rover Defender?
Campaigns on file include 23V-044 (cam carrier oil channel), 21V-435 (smoked rear lights on Defender X), and 26V-389 (driver air bag clockspring connector); several share unit counts across multiple Land Rover models.