2025 Land Rover Defender: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2025 Land Rover Defender: 1 recall, 13 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #26V389000 · 2026 · 250,857 vehicles
What's wrong: The driverâs air bag clockspring connector May corrode, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.
Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will apply a protective lubricant gel to the driverâs air bag connector terminals, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 3, 2026.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment, Body & structure Equipment recall #24E102000 · 2024 · 485 vehicles
What's wrong: The raised air intake May not be secured properly, which can allow the intake to detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: A detached raised air intake can fall off the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, remove and reinstall the rai accessory, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 20, 2025.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility/Wiper (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2025 Land Rover Defender has 13 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 16 Defender model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 19). Complaints peaked in 2026 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 0 years old. Neighboring years: 2024 (26 complaints, 7 recalls), 2026 (6 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 20 | 19 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo hybrid | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 19 | 18 | Premium |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S8) | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2025 Land Rover Defender.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2025 Land Rover Defender have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2025 Land Rover Defender, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2025 Land Rover Defender problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (7), transmission & drivetrain (3), electrical (2).
What gas mileage does the 2025 Land Rover Defender get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2025 Land Rover Defender repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.