Last updated: 2026-10-10
Ford Explorer vs Land Rover Defender 110: Reliability Compared
Ford Explorer
Land Rover Defender 110
On reliability, the Ford Explorer clearly edges out the Land Rover Defender 110, with 6.8 complaints per 10,000 sold against 20.7. The Explorer has far more recalls, but the Defender's power-loss fault is the bigger worry.
How Do the Ford Explorer and Land Rover Defender 110 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford Explorer is more reliable than the Land Rover Defender 110, scoring 67/100 vs 60/100.
The Ford is the more reliable pick, and the edge is clear. Owners file about a third as many complaints per car sold, 6.8 per 10,000 against 20.7 for the Land Rover. The Ford does carry far more recalls, and its transmission and engine problems can be costly. Even so, the Land Rover's electrical fault is the sharper risk. It can cut power to the brakes and steering with the car moving, and replacement converters have failed again.
Key Differences
- 1Land Rover Defender 110 has 94 fewer total recalls
- 2Ford Explorer has 13.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Ford Explorer scores 7 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Explorer vs Land Rover Defender 110: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Land Rover Defender 110 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 60/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 117 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.8 | 20.7 |
| Year Wins | 6 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Land Rover Defender 110?
Drivetrain trouble defines the Explorer. Owners report harsh or skipped shifts, sudden downshifts to first at speed, and engine failures with quotes of $11,000 to $12,000. Every Explorer problem area has crash-linked reports, including 12 in the power train. The Defender's trouble is electrical. The DC/DC converter stops charging the 12-volt battery, and power, steering, and brakes can fail together. It also has windshields that crack with no impact and LED headlights that burn out, with $3,000 to $5,000 replacement assemblies. Only its electrical system has a crash-linked report, a single one.
| Component | Ford Explorer | Land Rover Defender 110 |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 6.5Average |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 4.3Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 1.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 1.3Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 1.8Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | 1.7Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1.1Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Ford Explorer vs Land Rover Defender 110 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Explorer | Land Rover Defender 110 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 70/1004R / 0C | 64/1000R / 0C | Ford Explorer |
| 2025 | 72/10014R / 65C | 59/1001R / 8C | Ford Explorer |
| 2024 | 73/1006R / 14C | 64/1004R / 16C | Ford Explorer |
| 2023 | 71/10012R / 84C | 57/1007R / 70C | Ford Explorer |
| 2022 | 65/10021R / 208C | 59/1004R / 61C | Ford Explorer |
| 2021 | 62/10022R / 354C | 59/1007R / 32C | Ford Explorer |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 scored 64/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Land Rover Defender 110?
Ford Explorer vs Land Rover Defender 110: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Land Rover Defender 110?
- Yes, the Explorer has a clear edge. Owners file 6.8 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 20.7 for the Defender 110. The Defender's main weakness is a DC/DC converter fault that can drop power, steering, and brakes. The Explorer's weak spots are shifting problems and some engine failures.
- Which has more recalls, the Explorer or the Defender 110?
- The Explorer has far more. Federal recall records show 117 recalls across 9 model years for the Explorer and 23 across 6 model years for the Defender 110. The Explorer has been sold longer and covers more years, so the gap partly reflects that.
- What is the biggest problem with the Land Rover Defender 110?
- The biggest problem is the electrical system. The 48v to 12v DC/DC converter stops charging the battery, the dash warns of an electrical fault, and power can fail completely. Owners report locked brakes, no steering, and stalls in traffic. Replacement converters have failed again.
- Which Ford Explorer years should I avoid?
- Avoid 2020 and 2021, the weakest years in the data. Those were the first years of the sixth generation. Owner reports across the model include harsh shifting, wiring-related power loss, and engine failures. Check that any rear camera recall work has been done on the car you consider.
- Are Defender 110 headlights expensive to fix?
- They can be. Owners report LED daytime running lights burning out after a year or two, often in both headlights, with no dash warning. The fix is a full headlight assembly that owners quote at $3,000 to $5,000 after the warranty ends. Some say headlamps were back-ordered for months.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Explorer and Land Rover Defender 110? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Ford Explorer and Land Rover Defender 110
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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