13 of the 44 complaints about the 2021 Land Rover Defender are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 30% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 1,500 miles.
13
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
a random crack appeared without incident in the front window and proceeded to progress across rapidly where repair was not an option.
NHTSA complaint #11617866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield of the vehicle had a crack form from the upper passenger corner down to the middle of the glass then turning towards the middle of the glass. It is about 16 inches long and the temperature was a modest 85 degrees F.
NHTSA complaint #11585649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Bought a used 2021 defender with 5k miles and at 12k miles my windshield while driving makes a huge popping sound and i look to see that it cracked right down the middle, startling me while driving at night. There was ABSOLUTELY nothing that hit the windshield. It was a clear night driving with no other drivers on the road nor anything above me that could have fallen out of the sky. Land rover wouldn't take responsibility had to pay 2k out of pocket to fix this at 12k miles only having the car 2 months.
NHTSA complaint #11508583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
6" hairline crack in windshield, no impact detected.. just appeared one morning.
NHTSA complaint #11505757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield spontaneously cracked from the middle of the pillar on the driver's side to the center of the windshield. No rock strikes.
NHTSA complaint #11481788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complete windshield replacements needed since taking delivery June 2021. This incident was a small chip from a rock on the road that then spread across bottom half of drivers side windshield. These incidents are not isolated, seems other owners are reporting the same thing on this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11478479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield crack from no none source, appears to be pressure related. Happened at highway speed. Reading Defender forums this has happened to many customers, some 2-3 times
NHTSA complaint #11471080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked for no reason. ie no chip caused by rock, etc. Happened while I was driving with no traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11470701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Shortly after buying the car a small people hit the windshield while driving on the highway and broke the windshield right in the eyesight of the driver side. It was a little larger than a quarter in size and took 3 months for replacement due to back order. 2 weeks after the replacement the windshield spontaneously cracked while driving from the middle base of the windshield up and towards the passenger side about 20 inches long. Nothing hit the car, it just cracked. No heater or defrost was on. It took 6 months for replacement due to Land Rover ordering the wrong windshield and back orders. During this time the windshield got 3 more chips from pebbles/small rocks while driving. 2 weeks after this replacement a small rock hit the windshield on the driver side and chipped it about the size of a nickel. I am getting this filled tomorrow. This is clearly a defect with the windshield as I have had maybe 2 broken windshields in my life up to this point.
NHTSA complaint #11457497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
12 inch crack developed overnight. No signs of rock hit or any other impact.
NHTSA complaint #11455637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Component: windshield Issue: under adverse temperature conditions ( e.g. high temp or low temp ) the windshield can develop a sudden crack, without any external impact. Conditions: above 95 deg F or below 30 deg F ; Status: vehicle could be stationary, or in motion; Hazard to occupants: Yes; Safety concern: yes, if the vehicle is in motion the size of the crack can develop very fast and create a catastrophic failure which may impact the occupants. JLR - fails even to acknowledge any issues and denies any design fault or responsibility.
NHTSA complaint #11451131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
The contact owns a 2021 Land Rover Defender. The contact stated that the windshield cracked without impact, causing electrical issues. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
NHTSA complaint #11438618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Problem statement: Windshield Issue: The windshield developed a sudden crack while the vehicle was stationary, with no external impact or action Conditions: stationary, outside temp: 97 deg Impacting: visibility and safety features such as cameras, sensor, and lane departure assist
NHTSA complaint #11433619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.