Which component inside a fuel tank may be damaged alongside the fuel tank during a rear-end collision?

In a rear-end collision, the fuel level sensor, which is typically located inside the fuel tank, could get damaged alongside the tank itself. This sensor is essential for monitoring and reporting the fuel level to the vehicle's dashboard display. When the tank experiences impact during an accident, the associated components, particularly those that are housed within or closely connected to the fuel tank, such as the fuel level sensor, are at risk of being compromised.

The fuel pump and fuel filter, while important components of the fuel system, are generally located at different positions that could potentially protect them from direct damage in a collision, especially if the impact is focused solely on the rear of the vehicle. The gas cap also, while part of the overall fuel system, is separate from the tank itself and would not typically suffer damage in the same way the fuel level sensor would during a direct rear-end impact. Therefore, the relationship between the fuel level sensor's location and its vulnerability during such an incident makes it the most viable answer.