Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2024 Land Rover Defender 90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints for the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90. Most complaints involve electrical system (16) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–20mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
27
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system16
  2. Engine5
  3. Steering5
  4. Back over prevention4
  5. Air bags2
  6. Power train2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Visibility/wiper1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Defender 90 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19973
202279
202393
202427
20266
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

16 reports1 fire
“On October 7th I was driving on the interstate when the engine and battery light came on in my 2024 Land Rover Defender, a notice came on the dash display stating "Stop Safely Electrical Fault Detected". I got off the interstate and safely pulled over and called Land Rover Boise. They stated my car had a part on recall and was unsafe to drive. I have never gotten notification about this recall. He then stated I would need to tow my car at my own expense. Upon inspection at the Boise dealership they are now telling me my battery is dead and they will cover the recall part but not the battery despite them both happening at the same time. Prior to October 7th and the DC-DC Converter failure my battery light had never turned on nor had it ever been dead. The new battery including testing the old one is approximately $2,400 which they are saying is my responsibility. In total they are trying to make me pay my towing fee $2,400, dead battery $2,400, rental car $400 and time off of work to make calls/pick up vehicle as a result of a recalled part that currently has no fix or fix date. I am extremely worried to even drive the car with this defective part. I do not feel…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11771316

Engine

5 reports
“Vehicle: 2024 Land Rover Defender, VIN [XXX] Related recall: NHTSA campaign 26V248 (JLR internal D126 / H575) This complaint concerns the unavailability of a remedy for a defect that can cause complete loss of drive power while the vehicle is in motion. Timeline: - April 17, 2026: Jaguar Land Rover North America filed Part 573 report for campaign 26V248, covering 170,169 mild-hybrid vehicles including 53,644 2020-2024 Defenders. JLR's filing describes the defect as an internal fault in the boost control microchip of the DC-DC converter, and states that failure results in loss of 12-volt system charging and can lead to complete loss of drive power and exterior lighting. - June 20, 2026: I received an interim owner letter. The letter confirms the defect and the safety risk. It states no remedy is available and that additional correspondence will follow at an unspecified date. - August 11, 2026: No remedy is available. No estimated remedy date has been communicated to me. Approximately four months have elapsed since the Part 573 filing and approximately two months since owner notification. Issue one - the interim notification does not address safe operation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2026EngineODI 11756154

Steering

5 reports1 fire
“Car has had 2 separate, distinct failures of the DC/DC converter which result in electrical faults rendering all systems unusable (gearbox, steering, etc.) and making the care immobile. I have had it replaced once in September 2025 following a failure, and then the replacement failed in January 2026. This is incredibly dangerous while driving. Dealer and Land Rover are aware of widespread failures, parts are backordered with no timeline. Warning light starts with 'Electric Fault Detected' and continues to function for an indeterminate amount of time before failing completely.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11715904
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo supercharged hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 5.0L 8-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Defender 90 MHEV
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel Drive
182220$3,850453
Defender 90
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
182119$4,050465
Defender 90
Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel Drive
151916$4,850545
  • Defender 90 MHEV
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    18 city · 22 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Defender 90
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 21 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Defender 90
    Auto (S8), 8 cyl, 5.0 L, Sup Charg
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 19975
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2024 Defender 90 questions

How many recalls does the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (16), engine (5), steering (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 get?

The EPA rates the 2024 Land Rover Defender 90 at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026