Same job at other shop types (everything else as set above): Independent mechanic $991–$1,975 · Dealership $1,210–$2,368 (the headline above). Each figure applies that shop type's hourly labor rate (market estimates, shown above) to the calculator's own hours and parts assumptions. It is modeled, not a quote.
Check a quote against these ranges
This sets your number beside published ranges and owner-written bills. It is not a verdict: ask the shop what the quote includes (parts grade, labor hours, fees, tax). It runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How serious did it get for owners?
4% of the 2,369 complaints report a tow, the most common serious outcome; the other outcomes counted below are rarer, and an owner can file without mentioning one.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 95, followed by Fire reported at 35; the smallest shown is Death reported at 1.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
2,369 owner complaints name this part.
What it shows: Recall mentioned is the largest at 28%, followed by Warning light at 25%; the smallest shown is Noise at 5%.
Which trouble codes do owners report?
P0456 Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (very small leak) is the largest group at 8, out of 2,369 complaints.
Trouble codes owners quote in complaints about this part. P0456: Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (very small leak): 8 complaints (0%).
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 2,369 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say loss of power followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Loss of power: 18 (1%); Stalled while driving: 13 (1%).
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as loss of power.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 21 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $2,000 or less; one in ten wrote more than $6,000.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster is the largest group at 42%, out of 633 complaints.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
2015 is the most common model year in 2,369 complaints naming this part (16%); 4 model years account for 58%.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 373 (16%), followed by 2016 at 342 (14%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 38 (2%).
Do fuel tank replacement problems track monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers across states?
Monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars)
Complaints against what the makes sold would predict (1.0× = expected)
left map: lower to higherright map: green fewer complaints than expected, red morefurthest from the pattern: AZ, CT, HI, IL, KY, MA, MN, MS, NJ, NM, NV, ORfewer than 10 complaints
This describes states, not any one car, and it does not show that the left measure produces the right one.
Every state with 10 or more complaints, most over-reported first: state, monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars), complaints against expected, complaints filed.
- HI 3,585 · 2.07× · 16
- NV 3,571 · 1.58× · 37
- AZ 3,700 · 1.44× · 83
- OR 3,823 · 1.42× · 38
- NH 4,125 · 1.38× · 18
- DE 3,937 · 1.36× · 12
- NM 2,999 · 1.26× · 17
- OK 3,487 · 1.22× · 29
- FL 3,553 · 1.20× · 233
- NY 3,426 · 1.18× · 132
- NE 3,390 · 1.13× · 11
- MD 4,155 · 1.10× · 63
- IA 3,166 · 1.06× · 17
- CA 3,824 · 1.05× · 295
- TX 3,512 · 1.01× · 214
- KS 3,023 · 1.00× · 17
- WA 4,143 · 0.99× · 56
- VA 3,404 · 0.99× · 77
- NC 3,253 · 0.98× · 78
- AR 3,197 · 0.98× · 19
- IN 3,322 · 0.96× · 38
- GA 3,637 · 0.94× · 83
- CO 4,116 · 0.93× · 42
- PA 3,450 · 0.92× · 81
- LA 3,072 · 0.92× · 28
- TN 3,434 · 0.88× · 43
- SC 3,405 · 0.88× · 37
- OH 3,210 · 0.88× · 73
- MO 3,418 · 0.87× · 35
- CT 3,643 · 0.86× · 22
- MA 4,277 · 0.85× · 44
- WI 3,393 · 0.84× · 31
- WV 2,921 · 0.81× · 11
- AL 3,013 · 0.80× · 28
- NJ 3,782 · 0.79× · 53
- IL 3,495 · 0.76× · 60
- KY 3,235 · 0.70× · 20
- MN 3,604 · 0.64× · 20
- UT 2,705 · 0.64× · 12
- MS 2,999 · 0.60× · 10
What it shows: States with more monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 40 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- A moderate pattern, probably real but not certain: about 1 in 6 patterns this clear turn out to be false alarms. Weak spot: hold battery-electric vehicles as a share of registered cars and trucks equal and only 9% of the monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers pattern remains, so part of it may be that factor.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 13 equipment recalls that name fuel tank since 2015 (fuel and engine), covering 51,527 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Plastic Omnium in 2022, covered 41,409.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Plastic Omnium: Fuel Tank Assembly | delivery fuel pump | Plastic Omnium (Plastic Omnium) has submitted a Defect Information Report based upon the recall. | 41,409 |
| 2025 | Iljin Hysolus: Cng Tank | storage tank assembly | Filing lists the affected part numbers | 3,584 |
| 2015 | Emcara Gas Development Inc.: Pressure Relief Device | fuel system, other | certain Pressure Relief Devices (PRD), model numbers LT102B and LT130, manufactured from July 23, 2014. | 2,351 |
| 2020 | Agility Fuel Solutions: Cng Fuel System, Cng Pressure. | storage tank assembly | certain CNG Pressure Relief Devices, CNG Valves and CNG Fuel Systems that include an EMER pressure relief. | 2,015 |
| 2022 | S&B Filters, Inc.: Diesel Fuel Tank | storage tank assembly | certain Diesel Fuel Tanks, with part number 10-1021. | 910 |
| 2016 | Xperion E&E Usa Llc: Cng Fuel Tank | storage tank assembly | certain X-Store CNG Fuel Tanks, part numbers TC_660_1, TC_660_2, TC_660_3, TC_660_11, TC_540_5, 87330000677. | 696 |
| 2019 | Natural Gas Fuel Systems, Inc.: Cng Fuel System | storage | certain Momentum 90 DGE SM, 115 DGE TM, 113 DGE TM, 75 DGE TM, 93 DGE TM, 80 DGE SM, 75 DGE BOC, 45 DGE SM. | 130 |
| 2024 | Reading Truck Equipment Llc: Service Parts | fuel system, diesel | certain Curt trailer hitches with part numbers 15402 and 15845, installed on 2023-2024 Ford F350 and F550. | 116 |
| 2015 | Emerson Process Mgmt Regulator Tech. | storage tank assembly | certain Fisher Pressure Relief Valves model numbers H732A, H832A, H733, and H833 manufactured from April 9. | 110 |
| 2020 | Mcneilus Truck & Manufacturing, Inc.: Cng Fuel System. | storage tank assembly | certain CNG Fuel Systems that it sold as aftermarket parts. | 100 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 68 foreign recall campaigns that name fuel tank with NHTSA since 2015; the latest, from Daimler Coaches North America in 2026-10. These are recalls abroad, and they apply to U.S. cars only if the same model is sold here.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10 | Daimler Coaches | 161 | 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: Certain vehicles of the aforementioned types were fitted as a customer-specific option, with a plastic fuel tank whose fastening screws deviate from the drawing specification regarding thread length and sealing geometry. |
| 2025-09 | Daimler Coaches | 149 | 573.6(c)(3) Total Number of Vehicles Potentially 403 Affected: 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: The frame of the fuel tank may come loose due to an incorrect bolt connection. |
| 2024-05 | Mazda Motor. | 107 | Subject condition: Approximately 0.002% Description of the Defect: The engine control module may contain improper learning conditions for fuel vapor concentrations. |
| 2024-05 | Hyundai Motor America | 102 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: The fuel tank assembly equipped in the subject vehicles could become damaged during certain side- impact collisions due to contact made with the vehicles' fully retractable, automatic "side-step" running boards. |
| 2026-06 | Daimler Coaches | 082 | Of Vehicles Potentially 289 Affected: 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: It has been determined that vehicles equipped with an additional fuel tank may experience issues with fuel supply. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 25 NHTSA recalls that name fuel tank filed 2015 to 2024, 72.6% of the 3,916,920 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 1,071,639 vehicles still carrying the defect.
What it shows: Subaru 2021 is the largest at 92.7%, followed by Honda 2023 at 68.2%; the smallest shown is Land Rover 2021 at 44.2%.
How thoroughly has NHTSA crash tested the fuel system?
NHTSA's crash test database holds 419 tests of fuel system integrity, led by FMVSS 301: fuel system integrity with 419 whole vehicle tests.
| Test | Kind | Tests in the database | Vehicle model years | Most-tested models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMVSS 301: fuel system integrity | whole vehicle | 419 | 1978 to 2023 | Honda Civic, Ford Ranger, Honda Accord |
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 40 recall campaigns for parts matched to a fuel tank replacement since model year 2015, covering about 702,545 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a fuel tank replacement since model year 2015 | 40 recall campaigns covering about 702,545 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25V-794 | KIA K5 2021–2024 | 250,547 | A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 26V-578 | Ford F-150 2023–2027 | 223,472 | A detached tank can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-796 | Hyundai Sonata 2020–2023 | 85,043 | A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 26V-106 | Subaru Forester Hybrid 2025; Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 2026 | 69,870 | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 16V-684 | Mazda Mazda3 2015–2016 | 17,484 | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 15V-621 | Mazda Mazda3 2015–2016 | 14,411 | A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. |
| 22V-673 | Audi Q3 2021–2022 | 13,004 | A damaged vent pipe may allow fuel to spill out of the filler neck when the fuel cap is opened, increasing the risk of an injury. |
| 20V-076 | Audi TT 2016–2019 | 8,572 | A damaged fuel tank may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. |
32 more recalls name this part, on smaller fleets. The car finder at the top checks yours.
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | Gladiator 2023 | Reference80A1 | Aug 3, 2023 | Customer satifaction notification 80A. |
| Jeep | Gladiator 2023 | 1400623 | Jul 29, 2023 | Fuel Tank and Fuel Delivery Module Replacement Customers may experience the following: ? |
| Volvo | S60H 2022–2023; XC90H 2022–2023 and 2 more | 36647.1.0 | Jun 30, 2023 | This is a Technical Journal. |
| Lincoln | Nautilus 2022 | TSB 23-2028 | Mar 22, 2023 | Some 2022 Edge/Nautilus vehicles built on 18-Jul-2022 and through 04-Aug-2022 equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a 2.0L engine may experience the fuel tank not filling up beyond half full, small amount of fuel leaking from the vapor line connection. |
| Volkswagen | Atlas Cross Sport 2020–2023; Tiguan 2019–2023 and 3 more | VIN4APIN20230206 | Feb 6, 2023 | Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Customer states fuel tank difficult to fill, pump keeps clicking off Customer states MIL-on, fault P0456 and/or P0442 stored in ECM memory Noise from front end while driving Customer states. |
| KIA | Forte 2019–2021 | TSB_FUE052_CLSD | Jan 13, 2023 | Technical service bulletin closed: Fuel tank inlet check valve (ICV) MODIFICATION - FUE052 Superseded. |
66 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (10)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler | Town and Country 2004–2005; Grand Caravan 2004–2005 | Sep 15, 2022 | D1602X60 | Fuel tank and vapor canister. |
| BMW | X1 2016–2020 | Apr 22, 2019 | B010419 | Fuel tank vent purge valve failure causing MIL. |
| MINI | Cooper 2017; Cooper S 2015–2019 | Apr 22, 2019 | M010219 | Fuel tank vent purge valve failure causing MIL. |
| MINI | Cooper S 2013 | Nov 26, 2018 | M010417 | Fuel tank purge/breather/vent valve. |
| BMW | X5 2016–2017 | Oct 9, 2018 | B011318 | Fuel tank pressure sensor. |
5 more extension notices name this part: BMW, Chrysler, Chevrolet, RAM. Ask the dealer whether one covers your car.
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
When I called the closest VW dealership, they informed me that they did not have the parts in stock (fuel tank, $943; fuel pump, $694).
Can only add an extreme minimum amount (about $5.00 worth or less) of fuel to the fuel tank before it shoots out all over the place.
Most recent estimate to replace fuel tank, fuel lines, low pressure pump and high pressure pump stands at $14,000+.
Replacing the fuel tank completely at an estimated $2k+ is too costly especially during this pandemic and is due to faulty manufacturing.
Check your car
Fuel tank replacement runs $1,210–$2,368 at a dealer for a midsize car, and $991–$1,975 at an independent shop. That's our estimate, so treat a quote far outside it as a reason to ask questions.
How much does fuel tank replacement cost?
Fuel tank replacement costs $1,210–$2,368 at a dealer for a midsize car (16–22 gallons, 2.5–4.5 labor hours). That is our calculator's default. Where you land inside that range depends on the part grade and the shop's hourly rate.
Tank size is the biggest lever we can measure. The same job at a dealer changes like this:
| Vehicle | Dealer estimate | Labor hours |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car (12–16 gal) | $920–$1,710 | 2–3.5 hrs |
| Midsize car (16–22 gal) | $1,210–$2,368 | 2.5–4.5 hrs |
| Truck / full-size SUV (22–36 gal) | $1,499–$3,315 | 3–6 hrs |
Bigger tanks take longer to drop and refit, and they cost more to buy. If your quote is above the top of your row, ask what else is on the ticket. The last section below tells you what to ask.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a gas tank?
For a midsize car, $1,210–$2,368 at a dealer and $991–$1,975 at an independent shop, by our estimate. Compact cars start at $920–$1,710 and trucks or full-size SUVs run $1,499–$3,315 at a dealer. Owners who reported real amounts gave a median of $2,000.
Is it safe to drive with a leaking gas tank?
No. A fuel leak carries a fire risk, and owners reported 66 fires and 42 crashes to NHTSA. If you smell fuel or see drips, stop driving and get a tow instead of driving to the shop.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) downloaded 2026-10-05
- Census LEHD Quarterly Workforce Indicators 2024, NAICS 8111, joined to NHTSA owner complaints downloaded 2026-10-12
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Vehicle Safety Research and Development Database, crash test database API (vehicle and component tests) downloaded 2026-10-05
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($1,686–$1,892) on 2026-10-10: our default's midpoint is 0% above the middle of that range. Price evidence grade C: one outside published range; the hours and parts prices behind the estimate are CalcScrape assumptions and have not been checked against repair invoices. Methodology