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2021 LAND ROVER Defender

10 recalls Risk Grade: F Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #23V044000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak.
Risk if Unfixed
An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Free Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #21V424000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no warning.
Risk if Unfixed
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #26V389000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
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.
Risk if Unfixed
An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Free Fix
Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #21V668000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
Risk if Unfixed
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Free Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #26V599000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand. Additionally, a software error can cause the DC-DC converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up under certain circumstances. Failure of the DC-DC converter will result in the loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting.
Risk if Unfixed
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 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 E008. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V248.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #26V248000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
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). Insufficient electrical load balancing during times of high demand can lead to a current overload condition and malfunction of the DCDC converter. 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.
Risk if Unfixed
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Dealers will update the central software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 17, 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 numbers for this recall are D126 and H575.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #21V435000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Defender X vehicles equipped with smoked rear light assemblies. A voltage spike, triggered by a bright light shining on the rear of the vehicle, can cause the turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights to fail.
Risk if Unfixed
Turn signals, brake lights, and tail lights that fail to illuminate can reduce visibility to other drivers and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Dealers will replace the rear light assemblies, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 27, 2021. Owners can contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N598.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Low Priority #21V499000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

SEATS

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Defender 90 vehicles equipped with manually-adjustable front seats. The front seat track end-stop bracket may become deformed, which could prevent the seat from locking into place.
Risk if Unfixed
A seat that is not properly locked into place can move unintentionally during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Free Fix
Dealers will replace the front seat tracks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N609.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Standard NHTSA Filing #24E102000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

EQUIPMENT

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
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.
Risk if Unfixed
A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Standard NHTSA Filing #21V584000 NHTSA Official Language
Component

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Manufacturer
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
What Happened
Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The owner's manual incorrectly states that the third-row seating is equipped with LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk if Unfixed
Incorrect child restraint information may result in a child seat being improperly secured, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Free Fix
Land Rover will mail owners the correct information to insert into the owner's manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N601.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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Other LAND ROVER Defender Years

Related Pages

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall risk grade for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender?

The 2021 LAND ROVER Defender has a risk grade of F. This grade is calculated from 10 NHTSA safety recalls, weighted by severity, recency, and temporal decay. Grades range from A+ (excellent) to F (avoid).

How many safety recalls does the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender have?

The 2021 LAND ROVER Defender has 10 known safety recalls on record. All recalls are repaired free of charge at authorized dealerships.

What is the most severe recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender?

The most severe recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender is classified as critical. This indicates a life-threatening safety issue that should be addressed promptly.

Is the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender safe to drive?

This model year has 10 recorded safety recalls. Model-level listings do not establish VIN-specific open recalls or whether this vehicle is safe to drive. Check your VIN and contact the manufacturer for recall instructions.

What is the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender? (Campaign #23V044000)

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2023 Range Rover, Defender, 2022-2023 Discovery, and 2023 Range Rover Velar vehicles. The engine cam carrier oil channel may be blocked, which can lead to an oil leak. An oil leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine cam carrier and related components as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2023. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N763.

What is the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender? (Campaign #21V424000)

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Land Rover Defender vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may unexpectedly switch off while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in an engine stall with no warning. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. The Connected Diagnostic Services (CDS) and the Over-the-air (OTA) diagnostics functionality will be disabled, either by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N599.

What is the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender? (Campaign #26V389000)

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. An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driver’s 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.

What is the SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender? (Campaign #21V668000)

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2021 Range Rover, 2022 Range Rover Sport, 2020-2021 Range Rover Velar, Discovery Sport, 2020-2022 Discovery, and Defender vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is N630.

What is the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:DC/DC CONVERTER recall for the 2021 LAND ROVER Defender? (Campaign #26V599000)

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 2020-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Land Rover Defender, 2021-2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, and Land Rover Discovery vehicles. The DC-DC converter may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand. Additionally, a software error can cause the DC-DC converter to stop functioning at vehicle start-up under certain circumstances. Failure of the DC-DC converter will result in the loss of 12-Volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 13, 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 E008. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 26V248.