MODEL
Land Rover Defender L663 110
NHTSA safety across every Land Rover Defender L663 110 model year we cover.
Across the 1 model year of the Land Rover Defender L663 110 we cover (2021 to 2021), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. No recalls are on record across those years.
The Land Rover Defender L663 110 is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV reborn for the modern era and aimed squarely at adventure-minded buyers who want serious off-road capability wrapped in a premium package. The 110 designation marks the long-wheelbase, five-door configuration, giving it room for families and gear alike. It competes in the upper tier of rugged SUVs, carrying one of the most iconic nameplates in automotive history.
From a safety data standpoint, the 2021 Land Rover Defender 110 presents a picture that is genuinely incomplete. NHTSA has not crash-tested this generation of the Defender, which means there are no federal star ratings to anchor any structural safety assessment. That absence is significant. Shoppers cannot look to government crash-test scores for reassurance, and must lean heavily on other signals when evaluating this vehicle's passive safety. On the recall front, the news is straightforward: zero recalls are recorded in NHTSA's database for the 2021 model year we cover. That is a clean sheet, and for a freshly redesigned model in its first full year of U.S. sale, it is a meaningful data point. Owner complaints number 33 for the 2021 model year. Critically, zero of those complaints involve a reported crash, fire, injury, or death, which keeps the severity profile low. These are unverified allegations, as is always the case with NHTSA complaint data, but the volume and nature of the complaints are worth monitoring as the fleet ages. The honest bottom line: the Defender 110 carries strong off-road engineering credentials and a clean recall record, but the lack of any NHTSA crash-test data is a real gap. Buyers prioritizing verified crash protection should note that absence before signing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Defender 110 for its commanding road presence, genuinely capable off-road engineering, and a cabin that blends rugged character with modern refinement and quality materials. Driving dynamics are considered composed for a vehicle of this size and purpose. Some reviewers flag a steep learning curve with the infotainment system and note that the premium pricing places high expectations on interior execution and overall polish.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 Defender 110, meaning there are no federal star ratings available for this model year. Shoppers cannot compare its structural performance against government benchmarks the way they can with many competitors.
- The 2021 model year carries zero NHTSA recalls, a clean record for a freshly redesigned nameplate entering a new generation. That said, recall history can grow over time as vehicles accumulate miles and issues surface.
- 33 owner complaints are logged with NHTSA for the 2021 model year, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among them. While the complaint count is modest, monitoring the NHTSA complaint database as the vehicle ages is a smart habit for owners.
- Because this is a first-year redesign with no crash-test data and a still-developing complaint history, prospective buyers should check NHTSA's database for any updates before purchase, particularly if newer model years have since been tested or recalled.