Land Rover Range Rover fuel leak problems

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

The steel fuel tank shield on my 2014 Range Rover Supercharged (L405) is completely rusted through. This part is not a cosmetic cover. It cradles and supports the fuel tank and protects it from road debris. The corrosion appears to be galvanic, caused by the steel shield being mounted in contact with aluminum body and chassis components, which accelerates corrosion of the steel. The rest of the underbody is in comparatively good condition, which points to a design defect rather than neglect. The vehicle and component are available for inspection upon request. Because the shield holds the tank in place, continued deterioration can let the tank sag, shift, or detach while driving. With the shield rotted through, the tank is also exposed to road debris that could puncture it, causing a fuel leak and fire risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers. Loose or jagged sections of the shield could also fall onto the roadway. I identified the failure during an inspection of the vehicle's underside. This is a widely reported L405 problem. Owners on multiple Land Rover forums describe fuel tank shields rusted out on otherwise clean vehicles, and other the federal safety agency complaints describe the same galvanic corrosion failure. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps, messages, or driving symptoms. The damage is only visible from underneath the vehicle, so an owner has no way to know the tank's support is compromised without putting it on a lift.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Body, Fuel system · NJ

The fuel tank protective shield underneath my vehicle has severely rusted and corroded, with visible perforations forming through the metal (photos attached). This shield protects the fuel tank from road debris and also helps secure the tank to the vehicle. The corrosion appears to be caused by galvanic corrosion: the steel fuel tank shield is bolted directly to an aluminum heat shield, and the contact between these dissimilar metals accelerates corrosion of the steel component. This is a known issue affecting numerous vehicles of this make and model, suggesting a design defect. Safety concerns: The shield is structural — it helps hold the fuel tank in place. Continued deterioration could compromise the tank's mounting and lead to the tank dropping or shifting. As the shield fails, the fuel tank itself becomes exposed to road debris that could puncture it, creating a fuel leak and fire hazard. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms inside the vehicle. The damage was only discovered during a visual inspection underneath the vehicle. The component is available for inspection upon request. UNKNOWN whether the manufacturer has issued any formal acknowledgment, but the failure pattern is consistent across many owner reports.

Filed Feb 8, 2026 · Fuel system · MI

This era of Land Rover products used an inferior metal for the fuel tank shield where they corrode prematurely. The shield has almost completely disintegrated where it no longer will support the fuel tank. If the fuel tank falls, it will come in direct contact with the driveshaft and destroy the tank leading to a massive fuel leak and subsequent fire. My tank is currently held up with ratchet straps to avoid this happening. With the exception of the fuel tank shield, every other undercarriage component is rust/corrosion free.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Fuel system · CO

We purchased the vehicle new January 2023 and we drove for a couple of months without any issue, suddenly after filling the gas tank on Monday 4/10/2023 we noticed that the gas gauge dropped significantly after about an hour of drive time, later that evening the garage began smelling like gas through out the night without any leaks. The next day taking kids to school the smell was very bad in the car that we were all light headed during the 30 minutes drive time and had to pull over to inspect the vehicle for fuel leaks and could not observe any leaks. We rolled the windows down in cold weather and proceeded with the drive. We took it to Landrover Denver in Littleton Colorado on 04/13/23, since then they have been struggling as well to find why it is smelling as bad as it is and they contacted Landrover USA without any luck, I contacted Landrover USA multiple times and they claim they aren’t aware of any of such issues with their vehicles and couldn’t be of help. I emphasized the safety concerns especially with all of our health, they insisted that they are not aware of any of such issues with the vehicles.

Filed Aug 27, 2019 · Fuel system · 137,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1992 land rover range rover. The contact stated that when the vehicle was being refueled, fuel leaked out. The contact stated that the leak was detected only when the fuel gauge was at the full mark. The contact also mentioned that an odor or fuel was detected inside the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure may be due to a vent hole needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2019 · Fuel system · 55,687 miles · PA

The car was leaking gasoline. Like another complaint on this site and others on the internet, a plastic flange on the fuel pump cracks. The dealership has no idea of this known problem. I believe this should be a recall item because leaking fuel is unsafe and can cause a catastrophic fire, explosion and loss of life.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Engine · 69,100 miles · AZ

Driving on phoenix city street 51st avenue going south at 5:00 pm in afternoon. Failure of a engine/cooling system outlet pipe LED to expulsion of all coolant, overheating of the engine to its shutdown within three minutes, the engine got so hot it ruptured a fuel line over the engine spraying the engine compartment with gasoline. Unaware of the fuel leak I attempted to re start the vehicle to move it into a nearby parking lot. I eventually restarted it and I limped it into the parking lot where it continued to leak fuel. The engine was blown from the overheating and requires a complete rebuild or replacement at $15k to $35k in cost. The landrover service director robert lyler, confirmed that failure of the outlet pipe is common. It occurs randomly and without notice or any signs of fatigue or wear. It's failure is always a massive rupture, never just a leak or small spray. I received only a 5 second warning that the coolant was low. No other warning lights appeared and the temperature guage never showed the high temperature or overheating. My family and I are lucky that the engine did not catch fire and the fire follow the fuel line to the gas tank ending in an explosion. The vehicle is now at the landrover north scottsdale dealership. It has not been repaired. The extended warranty company refused to pay saying that the part was a wear and tear/maintenance item and I have filed a claim with land rover corporate but have received no response as of this claim. Please see attached document for a more detailed description of the incident.

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Fuel system · CA

I am writing to alert you to a serious potential safety design problem that caused a slow leak in the fuel line system with my 2008 range rover hse and to ask for your help for further potential fire hazard investigation. The aluminum metal design of the fuel rail developed a seal leak in the damper that caused a slow fuel leak that I only noticed recently as I was watching my wife back the vehicle down the driveway. I walked over, touched the liquid and smelled it to verify in fact that it was a fuel leak. It was clear that the leak had been there for quite a while but went undetected due to lack of fuel vapor entering the interior of the car or detection by any of the vehicles safety/warning systems. Apparently, the vehicle was not designed to detect or alert for small but steady fuel system leaks. I took the vehicle to a land rover dealership where it was diagnosed with a fuel rail damper seal failure. Vehicle was repaired but what's more troubling is that they replaced the part 'in kind' with no design improvement

Filed Nov 19, 2011 · Electrical, Suspension · IL

Purchased a 2005 lr3 in 2009 suspension fell in 2010 every since I've had issues with the hcd inactive switch. Hcd inactive was coming on prior to suspension falling and continues to as of 11/11. Abs light and airbag light also turns on anytime throughout the day and shuts off. Before the suspension fell I constantly paid dealer to diagnose and they did not find any problem with the suspension..shortly after while I was driving the suspension fell. As of 11/11 my ABS, hcd inactive lights keep turning on, the dashboard including radio lights blink on/off. Past two weeks while driving the car slows down and the steering wheel locks in place. Mechanic cannot find electrical issues. Mechanic did find my rear inner tires are bald and dangerous. After reviewing various rr complaints it is beyond my understanding why rr are able to continue to sell $60,000 trucks without any form of legal action. The company and public are aware of the faulty issues, the issues are dangerous and all common ie: suspensions falling, bald inner tires, gas leaks. The question raised are these sites, consumer complaints etc for customers to vent or for action to take place?? 2 years and I'm on my second set of tires!! People are busted for selling fake products such as purses, clothes, but rr is looked over for knowingly manufac., dangerous vehicles.

Filed May 23, 2011 · Fuel system · 93,000 miles · WA

Fuel leaks when tank is filled to approximately 7/8 capacity. Noticeable fuel smell and possible leak when filled to 3/4 capacity.