Today's trail report

Two Land Rover recalls hit the Defender, including 2020–2024 trucks — campaigns 26V-599 and 26V-615

By The OffRoading.News Desk

Good morning. Start with the recalls, because they are the only items here that can put a vehicle in a dealer bay.

NHTSA campaign 26V-599 covers certain 2020–2024 Land Rover Defender and 2021–2024 Land Rover Discovery vehicles, among a wider group of Range Rover, Evoque, Velar, Discovery Sport and Jaguar E-Pace and F-Pace models. Per the recall, the DC-DC converter "may malfunction due to an electrical overload that can occur during high power demand," and a software error can stop it working at start-up. Dealers will update the vehicle software free of charge; this is not a stop-ride order. Interim owner letters are expected November 13, 2026, with more to follow once the final remedy is ready. Land Rover's number is E008, and the campaign expands earlier recall 26V248. Owners can reach Land Rover customer service at 800-637-6837.

The second, campaign 26V-615, covers certain 2024 Land Rover Defender vehicles whose second-row seat belt "may be improperly stitched." Dealers will inspect the belt's serial number and replace it as necessary, free of charge; this is not a stop-ride order. Interim letters are expected November 20, 2026. Land Rover's number is D130, same customer-service line.

If your Defender falls in those model years, check your VIN against the campaign numbers before your next trip — don't assume a year outside the stated ranges is affected or excluded.

On land use, Off-Road.com reports the U.S. Forest Service announced plans in late August to revise the rule deciding where dirt bikes, ATVs, side-by-sides and 4x4s can legally travel on national forest trails — a proposal, not a change in what is open today. Across the Atlantic, Carscoops reports new UK powers let police seize vehicles used antisocially without a prior warning, with off-roaders a stated target.

On products and vehicles, Off Road Xtreme, Carscoops, The Drive and Car and Driver all covered the 2027 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, which Off Road Xtreme reports pairs a low-range 4x4 system with a Trail Rated rating and a stated 9 inches of ground clearance. Off-Road.com reports the electric Jeep Recon Moab arriving at dealers from $65,000 before a $1,995 destination charge, and Carscoops reviewed the 420-hp 2026 Ram Rebel X at $81,565.

On the industry, Powersports Business reports Meyer Distributing added UTV-glass and storage maker Black River to its powersports lineup. Off-Road.com reports the 4WD UTV market reached 420,000 units in 2025 as tariffs squeeze margins, and that the two-door Jeep Wrangler is now among the slowest-selling vehicles in America.

Elsewhere: Dirt Bike Magazine reports Aaron Plessinger signed a two-year deal to race the TF 450-X for 5.11 Triumph Factory Racing; RideApart reports Yamaha will run an exhibition of its YE-01 electric motocross concept at the 2026 Motocross of Nations, and that Stanley Pophal drew eight years in prison over a snowmobile Ponzi scheme.