2026 Land Rover Defender Fuel Tank Recall (26V263)

Recall 26V263 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2026 Land Rover Defender in recall 26V263?

The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC (Land Rover) is recalling certain 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles. The fuel tank was improperly manufactured with walls that are too thin.

Is it safe to drive a 2026 Defender with recall 26V263?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: In the event of a crash, an improperly manufactured fuel tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: In the event of a crash, an improperly manufactured fuel tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Defender shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the tank assembly, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 26V263?

Recall 26V263 covers 6 vehicles: 2026 Land Rover Defender.

NHTSA lists 6 vehicles in this campaign, built January 20, 2026 to January 28, 2026. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Defender fuel tank recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge.

Dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Land Rover's customer service at 800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is D127.

When was recall 26V263 announced?

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC reported recall 26V263 to NHTSA on April 23, 2026.

This recall was filed 5 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 8 days. If your Defender was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Defender is part of recall 26V263?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V263 is open on your Defender, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 26V263000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should Defender owners do about recall 26V263?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V263000 applies to your Defender.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Land Rover dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
4. Keep a simple log of any tank assembly symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are Defender owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the fuel system.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the fuel system have been filed since recall 26V263 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 6 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2026 Land Rover Defender: 6 complaints in total, 0 about the fuel system

Can recall 26V263 make my Defender a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Recall 26V263000 does not automatically make your Defender a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?

Fuel pump and fuel line defects can cause the 2026 Land Rover Defender to stall without warning. If it happens again after the recall repair, document it and return to the dealer.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2026 Land Rover Defender has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 26V263