2021 Land Rover Defender
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2021 Land Rover Defender.
Recalls on the 2021 Land Rover Defender
Exterior lighting: tail lights
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…
Seat belts: retractor
The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
The owner's manual incorrectly states that the third-row seating is equipped with LATCH child seat restraints with top tethers.
7 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
2021 Land Rover Defender at a glance
- Trims
- 110 HSE110 S110 SE110 X110 X-Dynamic HSE110 X-Dynamic S110 X-Dynamic SE90 HSE
- Engine
- 2.0L 4-Cylinder Turbo, 3.0L 6-Cylinder Turbo Hybrid
- Transmission
- Automatic 8-spd
- Drivetrain
- 4WD
- Fuel
- Gasoline, Hybrid
- Body style
- SUV
Other Land Rover Defender years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2021 Land Rover Defender?
NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2021 Land Rover Defender. There are 10 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2021 Land Rover Defender reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 10 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2021 Land Rover Defender?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2021 Land Rover Defender listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.