AI Damage2021 Land Rover Defender: common problems
The maker issued 514 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 514
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: 4WD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 135 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 131 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 91 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Accessory Wheel Arch Protection - Gaps Present Between Protection And Vehicle Body
- TCU Activation Failure And InControl App Inoperative After Software Update
- Air Conditioning Inoperative / Intermittent Operation
- Intermittent Passive Entry Operation 24MY Or With New Service Smart Key Fob
- A low-speed ‘clonk’ type noise from the rear driveline, audible during low speed throttle inputs, often…
A low-speed ‘clonk’ type noise from the rear driveline, audible during low speed throttle inputs, often coupled with up/down gear changes. The noise is audible during normal road driving conditions.
- Exhaust System Oxygen (O2) Sensors - Extended Warranty
- Software Over The Air (SOTA) updates are failing to complete
Specifically Vehicle Domain Controller (VDC) PIVI and Gateway Module A (GWM). These vehicles have now been stopped from further SOTA attempts and require a wired intervention.
- Door Zone Module - Quiescent Drain
- The transfer case clutch and / or All Wheel Drive (AWD) lock cannot perform as designed
This may show as a reduction in torque to the front axle during driving or as an inability to apply the AWD lock.
- Arduous customer drive cycles have been found to accelerate the degradation of engine oil, leading to…
Arduous customer drive cycles have been found to accelerate the degradation of engine oil, leading to generation of engine oil sludge deposits in high pressure engine oil galleries of the engine and inside the…
- Software Over The Air (SOTA) updates are failing to complete
- Air Conditioning (AC) Inoperative
NHTSA lists 514 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Land Rover Defender?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 514 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Land Rover Defender?
NHTSA lists 514 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Land Rover Defender from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.