TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND AND NOTICED THAT THE HEAT SHIELD SURROUNDING THE MUFFLER WAS COMPROMISED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERS, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE ANY FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST MELTED THE PLASTIC GAS TANK AND SURROUNDING WIRES. THE EXHAUST IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE GAS TANK, UNLIKE MOST VEHICLES. THE DESIGN HAS FUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO THE GAS TANK. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST HAS CAUSED A DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED FOR $2,000 BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL DESIGN WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE. LAND ROVER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.