MODEL
Land Rover Defender 130 Safety
NHTSA safety across every Land Rover Defender 130 model year we cover.
Across the 3 model years of the Land Rover Defender 130 we cover (2023 to 2025), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Land Rover Defender 130 is a three-row, extended-wheelbase SUV that slots above the standard Defender 90 and 110 in Land Rover's lineup. It targets adventure-minded families and affluent buyers who want genuine off-road capability without sacrificing seating for up to eight passengers. It competes in the premium large SUV segment against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the Cadillac Escalade.
The Land Rover Defender 130 lacks fundamental federal crash-test data for the 2023 through 2025 model years. NHTSA has not subjected this model to crash testing, leaving no star ratings for frontal, side, or rollover protection. This absence of independent crash performance metrics is a significant gap for a vehicle designed to carry up to eight occupants. On its recall record, the Defender 130 shows no recalls across the three model years, a clean result. Owner complaints total 96, a low figure that must be viewed in context of the model's lower sales volume and higher price point. These complaints include zero reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, although one fire allegation is on file. All owner complaint data are unverified allegations. The Defender 130 presents no red flags regarding recalls or owner-reported incidents. However, the complete lack of NHTSA crash-test results prevents a comprehensive assessment of its protective capabilities. Prospective buyers prioritizing verified crash protection should consider this data void carefully.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Defender 130 for its distinctive styling, commanding road presence, and impressive off-road composure. Most find the interior materials and refinement a step above what the original Defender ever offered, though some note that the third-row access and overall packaging can feel compromised compared to purpose-built three-row SUV rivals. Driving dynamics on pavement draw mixed reactions, with ride comfort rated as adequate rather than exceptional.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the Defender 130 for any model year from 2023 to 2025, so there are no federal star ratings available. Shoppers cannot compare its structural performance against rivals using government data.
- The Defender 130 carries a perfect recall record across the 2023-2025 model years covered, with zero recalls issued by NHTSA during that period.
- Ninety-six owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA across the covered model years. NHTSA records zero crashes, zero injuries, and zero deaths within those complaints, though one fire allegation is on file. All are unverified allegations.
- Because the Defender 130 is a low-volume premium vehicle, the complaint dataset is relatively small. That limits the statistical confidence of any trend analysis, making the lack of crash-test data an even more important factor to consider when evaluating safety.