Recall 26V163 affects 498 2026 Land Rover Defender SUVs for a third-row seat belt anchorage weld defect. Free repair at a franchised Land Rover dealer.
Land Rover is recalling 498 2026 Defender SUVs because of an insufficient weld stud on the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket. In a crash, that seat belt assembly can fail to properly restrain an occupant, increasing injury risk, and Land Rover dealers will inspect and repair the seat belt anchorage free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The lower seat belt anchorage bracket on the 2026 Land Rover Defender is the metal mounting point that holds the lower end of the third-row seat belt to the vehicle body. During normal driving, it stays fixed while the belt retracts and locks. In a crash, that bracket helps keep the belt anchored so it can restrain the passenger in the third row.
The defect is in the weld stud on the bracket. Land Rover traced the concern to material contamination at the supplier, which left the weld stud below the required ISO strength. When the bracket is tightened or loaded, a substandard stud lacks the strength Land Rover specified for that critical fastener. Replacement parts use weld studs that went through additional supplier quality control and match the required material specification.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a dashboard light, sound, or seat belt feel change to identify this bracket problem before the part is stressed.
Who's affected?
| 2026 Land Rover Defender | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 498 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2026 Land Rover Defender is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An insufficient weld in the seat belt assembly can keep the belt from properly restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no warning sign before failure. Until the repair is complete, avoid using the affected third-row seating position when practical. Repair is free at any franchised Land Rover dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Land Rover Defender is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Land Rover dealer to schedule the free lower seat belt anchorage bracket or weld-stud repair that fixes the third-row restraint anchorage.
- Bring the recall notice if Land Rover has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 26V163 when you call.
- Avoid seating passengers in the third row until the repair is complete.
- Call Land Rover customer service at 800-637-6837 with questions and reference Land Rover recall numbers D098 and D113.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Land Rover technician replaces the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld stud on that bracket. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Land Rover uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you have already paid out of pocket for a repair tied to this seat belt anchorage condition, bring your receipts and repair paperwork to the service desk so the claim can be reviewed under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 18, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 2, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| April 2, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V163?
Recall 26V163 covers 498 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles with a third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket that has an insufficient weld stud. Land Rover dealers will replace the bracket or the weld stud for free.
What should I do if my 2026 Land Rover Defender is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Defender is included in recall 26V163. If it is, contact a franchised Land Rover dealer to schedule the third-row seat belt anchorage repair. Reference recall numbers D098 and D113 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Land Rover will replace the third-row lower seat belt anchorage bracket or the weld stud free of charge at a franchised Land Rover dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced crash protection for a third-row occupant. If the seat belt assembly has an insufficient weld, it can fail to properly restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
When will Land Rover notify owners?
Land Rover mailed owner notification letters on May 15, 2026. The notice explains the recall, the dealer repair, and how to contact Land Rover customer service at 800-637-6837. You can also check your VIN before waiting for a letter.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V163000 |
|---|---|
| Land Rover customer service | 800-637-6837 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V163 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V163000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →