Land Rover

Defender (L663)

2020-2025 · Full-Size SUV · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.2)
507 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
7 Fire Reports
3 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

AJ133 S/C

5.0L 8-cyl / 518 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.2)
22 complaints 7.3 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

other
12
electrical
4
transmission
3
fuel system
3
brakes
2

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (4 complaints)
Transmission Issues (3 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (3 complaints)

AJ120

3.0L 6-cyl / 395 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.1)
468 complaints 72.8 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
174
other
121
engine
58
exterior
54
steering
53

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (174 complaints)
Est. repair: $700–$3,100 (9 reports)
Engine Issues (58 complaints)
Est. repair: $643–$2,500 (5 reports)
Exterior Issues (54 complaints)
Est. repair: $3,000–$5,000 (17 reports)

1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Land Rover Defender regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (178 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (58 complaints)
engine moderate
Exterior Issues (58 complaints)
exterior moderate
Steering Issues (53 complaints)
steering moderate
Safety Systems Issues (50 complaints)
safety_systems serious

Alternatives in Full-Size SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender problems?

The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender has accumulated 507 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Land Rover Defender engine is most reliable?

The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender a good used car?

The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 507 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender have?

The 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender has 507 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Land Rover Defender?

Before buying a used Land Rover Defender, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Exterior, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Defender have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2020-2025 Land Rover Defender. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 507 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver