Recall 26V263 affects 6 2026 Land Rover Defender SUVs for thin fuel tank walls. Repair will be free once available.
Land Rover is recalling 6 2026 Defender vehicles because the fuel tank was manufactured with walls that are too thin. In a crash, the tank can leak fuel and increase fire risk; the Land Rover dealer repair will be free once Land Rover opens it.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank on the 2026 Land Rover Defender stores gasoline and keeps it contained while the vehicle is driven, parked, refueled, and exposed to road vibration. Near the inlet check valve, the tank also works with the refueling path to control fuel entering the tank and limit backflow. That area depends on the tank wall having the correct thickness.
On affected Defender vehicles, Land Rover found that the fuel tank wall near the inlet check valve is thinner than the design specification. The issue traces to the tank manufacturing process, where the material did not form to the intended thickness. A tank with less material in that area has less margin to contain fuel under normal vehicle use.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall record does not list an early dashboard light, sound, smell, or driving symptom that tells an owner the tank wall is below specification.
Who's affected?
| 2026 Land Rover Defender | fuel system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 6 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, an improperly manufactured fuel tank can leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. There is no owner warning sign listed before that crash-related leak, so confirm whether your VIN is included and follow Land Rover's interim notice until the final repair opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Land Rover dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2026 Land Rover Defender is included in this recall.
- Watch for Land Rover's interim safety letter, expected June 19, 2026, and the later remedy letter when the fuel-tank replacement opens.
- Contact a franchised Land Rover dealer once the final remedy opens to schedule the free fuel-tank replacement for the improperly manufactured tank.
- Reference recall number 26V263 and Land Rover recall D127 when you call the dealer or Land Rover customer service.
- Avoid unnecessary driving until Land Rover gives final repair instructions, since the fuel tank can leak fuel after a crash.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still under development. Once it opens, a Land Rover technician will replace the fuel tank, and parts and labor will be free under the recall. Interim owner letters are expected on June 19, 2026, with another letter after the final remedy is ready. Land Rover uses its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid for a fuel tank repair tied to this defect, keep your repair order and payment documentation, then contact Land Rover customer service at 800-637-6837.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 23, 2026 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | Dealer notification began |
| May 7, 2026 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 19, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 26V263?
Recall 26V263 covers 6 2026 Land Rover Defender vehicles with fuel tanks that were manufactured with walls that are too thin. In a crash, the tank can leak fuel and increase fire risk. Land Rover dealers will replace the fuel tank for free once the final remedy is available.
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 26V263. If it is, contact a franchised Land Rover dealer and ask for the current interim instructions. The final dealer repair is a free fuel tank replacement once Land Rover opens the remedy.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Land Rover's remedy is a free fuel tank replacement. Because the final remedy is still under development, ask the dealer when parts and appointments will open for recall 26V263.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fuel leakage after a crash. Land Rover reported that the improperly manufactured tank has walls that are too thin, and fuel leakage increases the risk of a fire. Confirm your VIN, then follow the dealer's interim guidance until the free tank replacement is available.
When will Land Rover notify owners?
Land Rover expects to mail interim owner letters on June 19, 2026. Those letters notify owners about the safety risk. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, and owners can reference Land Rover recall number D127 when contacting customer service at 800-637-6837.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/26V263000 |
|---|---|
| Land Rover customer service | 800-637-6837 |
| NHTSA recall # | 26V263 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 26V263000 |
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 →