Is the Land Rover Defender 110 more reliable than the Toyota 4RUNNER?

Based on our data, the Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 60/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Land Rover Defender 110 or the Toyota 4RUNNER?

The Land Rover Defender 110 has more recalls (23) compared to the Toyota 4RUNNER (17). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Land Rover Defender 110 or the Toyota 4RUNNER?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota 4RUNNER has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.7 for the Land Rover Defender 110. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Reliability Compared

Land Rover Defender 110

Good

More Reliable

Toyota 4RUNNER

Excellent

Choosing between the Land Rover Defender 110 and the Toyota 4RUNNER? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota 4RUNNER currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 60/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Land Rover Defender 110 and Toyota 4RUNNER Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota 4Runner is in its sixth generation (N500), introduced in 2025, making it relatively early in its generational cycle. This can often mean that while it features the latest technology and design, it might also experience some first-year issues typical of new platforms. The previous fifth generation (N280) spanned from 2010 to 2024, with a facelift in 2013, reflecting a mature design that was likely well-sorted in terms of reliability by the end of its cycle. In contrast, the Land Rover Defender 110 lacks detailed generation history, which can complicate assessments of its reliability trends. Buyers should consider that while newer models might offer more advanced features, they could also face the teething problems common to early production runs.

Verdict

The Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable than the Land Rover Defender 110, scoring 80/100 vs 60/100.

The Toyota 4RUNNER outperforms the Land Rover Defender 110 in reliability, with an average reliability score of 80/100 compared to the Defender's 60/100. The 4RUNNER has only 1.5 owner complaints per 10,000 units sold, significantly lower than the Defender's 20.7. Additionally, the 4RUNNER has a lower total recall count over a longer period and an estimated annual repair cost of $514, underscoring its cost-effectiveness and dependability. Key issues for the 4RUNNER include steering and brakes, while the Defender faces more frequent electrical and visibility problems.

Key Differences

1Toyota 4RUNNER scores 20 points higher in reliability
2Toyota 4RUNNER has 19.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Toyota 4RUNNER has 6 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0Land Rover Defender 110

—

3Toyota 4RUNNER

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Which Is More Reliable?

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Land Rover Defender 110	Toyota 4RUNNER
Reliability Score	60/100	80/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	23	17
Complaints per 10k Sold	20.7	1.5
Year Wins	0	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Land Rover Defender 110 and Toyota 4RUNNER?

The Toyota 4RUNNER exhibits a higher concentration of complaints in the air bags category, with 24 complaints and a notably high 20 crash-linked incidents, indicating a significant safety concern. In contrast, the Land Rover Defender 110's most frequent issue lies within the electrical system, accounting for 59 complaints, though only 1 is crash-linked. While both vehicles share issues in steering, the 4RUNNER has more complaints in this category, with 39 compared to the Defender's 16. The Defender also faces a unique challenge in the visibility/wiper category, with 39 complaints, which is not a prominent issue for the 4RUNNER.

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER common problem areas comparison
Component	Land Rover Defender 110	Toyota 4RUNNER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6.5Average	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	4.3Average	—None
STEERING	1.8Low	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.7Low	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.3Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.1Low	—None
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.4Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.2Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Land Rover Defender 110 or Toyota 4RUNNER?

The Toyota 4RUNNER has an annual repair cost of $514, with an expected 0.4 repair visits per year and a 13% risk of requiring major repairs. For the Land Rover Defender 110, specific cost and frequency data are not available, making it challenging to provide a precise comparison. However, industry estimates often suggest that luxury brands like Land Rover typically incur higher maintenance costs and potentially more frequent repairs. Considering the available data, the Toyota 4RUNNER appears to be the more cost-effective option for budget-conscious buyers, with fewer expected repair visits and lower major repair risk. Over five years, this could translate to more predictable and manageable ownership costs compared to the likely higher expenses associated with the Defender 110.

How Does Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER Reliability Compare by Year?

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Land Rover Defender 110	Toyota 4RUNNER	Edge
2025	59/1001R / 8C	81/1001R / 36C	Toyota 4RUNNER
2024	64/1004R / 16C	79/1001R / 8C	Toyota 4RUNNER
2023	57/1007R / 70C	82/1001R / 28C	Toyota 4RUNNER
2022	59/1004R / 61C	79/1003R / 36C	Toyota 4RUNNER
2021	59/1007R / 32C	82/1001R / 31C	Toyota 4RUNNER
2026(predicted)	60/100(predicted)	81/100(predicted)	Toyota 4RUNNER

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 scored 64/100 and the 2023 Toyota 4RUNNER scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Land Rover Defender 110 vs the Toyota 4RUNNER?

If you prioritize reliability and lower ownership costs, the Toyota 4RUNNER should be your top choice. With a reliability score of 80/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $514, it offers peace of mind and budget-friendly maintenance. The 4RUNNER has fewer recalls (17) and significantly lower owner complaints at 1.5 per 10,000 sold, indicating a more dependable vehicle. Despite some issues with steering and brakes, its major repair risk is only 13%, making it a solid option for those seeking a trustworthy SUV. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the Land Rover Defender 110 for its unique styling or off-road capabilities, be prepared for higher maintenance demands. With a reliability score of 60/100 and a notably higher rate of owner complaints (20.7 per 10,000 sold), it requires more attention. Although specific repair costs aren't provided, the Defender's higher recall count (23) and issues with the electrical system and visibility suggest potential for frequent repairs. Choose the Defender if you're willing to trade reliability for its distinctive features and are ready for a potentially higher cost of ownership.

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Toyota 4RUNNER: Common Questions

Is the Land Rover Defender 110 more reliable than the Toyota 4RUNNER?: Based on our data, the Toyota 4RUNNER is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 60/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Land Rover Defender 110 or the Toyota 4RUNNER?: The Land Rover Defender 110 has more recalls (23) compared to the Toyota 4RUNNER (17). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Land Rover Defender 110 or the Toyota 4RUNNER?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota 4RUNNER has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 20.7 for the Land Rover Defender 110. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Land Rover Defender 110 comparisons

Land Rover Defender 110 vs Jeep Wrangler reliability Land Rover Defender 110 vs Ford Bronco reliability Land Rover Defender 110 vs Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability Land Rover Defender 110 vs Ford Explorer reliability Land Rover Defender 110 reliability by year Land Rover Defender 110 years to avoid

More Toyota 4RUNNER comparisons

Toyota 4RUNNER vs Ford Bronco-Sport reliability Toyota 4RUNNER vs Honda Passport reliability Toyota 4RUNNER vs Ford Bronco reliability Toyota 4RUNNER vs Jeep Wrangler reliability Toyota 4RUNNER reliability by year Toyota 4RUNNER years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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