Defending Dakar Rally champion Nasser Al-Attiyah was forced out of the 2012 edition on Tuesday when his Hummer broke down, organisers reported.
The 31-year-old Qatari driver has been plagued by problems since the start in Mar Del Plata on New Year's Day.
He lined up for Tuesday's ninth stage in sixth position overall, eight minutes behind leader Stephane Peterhansel, having struggled to overcome losing 10 minutes due to engine problems on the opening stage.
France's Stephane Peterhansel currently holds the overall lead after the completion of eight stages. The X-Raid Mini driver does, however, have American Robby Gordon on his tail in his Hummer. Gordon slashed three minutes off 46-year-old Peterhansel's overall lead and trails him by 7min 36sec.