2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

WHEN THE TANK IS FULL IT HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AND AROUND THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, ALSO MISFIRE DURING THESE FEW DAYS. I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ASAP REGARDING THIS POSSIBLE DANGEROUS ISSUE, ANY HELP TO CORRECT THIS MATTER WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR

CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD SMELL OF GASOLINE VAPORS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FUEL SENSOR AND PUMP WAS REPLACED, ISSUE WENT AWAY. VENDOR WILL NOT REIMBURSE SERVICE AND PARTS. *TR

FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. *JS

I GOT HOME FROM THE STORE SMELT GAS THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT FIRST. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN GOT A BIG SMELL OF FUEL, THAT GOT ME THINKING. LATER THAT DAY WHEN I GOT HOME I STARTED SMELLING AROUND MY VEHICLE. OPENED TRUNK SMELT GAS. THEN I SMELT BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR ON THE DRIVE SIDE REAR WHEEL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION I GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE TO CHECK IT OUT. I COULD SEE FUEL RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF MY FUEL TANK. SO I REMOVED MY REAR SEAT AND THE CAP UNDER THE SEAT TO SEE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FROM ABOVE. WHEN I REMOVED THAT THERE WAS A STREAM OF FUEL SHOOTING OUT OF MY SENDING UNIT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS CLAIM AND I FOUND OUT ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL AND THAT DIDN'T DO THE FIX. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SENDING UNIT SHOOTING THE SPRAY OF FUEL BUT THERE IS NO AREA TO UPLOAD IT ON HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING WITH THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

I FILLED THE TANK AND IT LEAKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AT A STEADY DRIP UNDERNEATH THE REAR DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHERE THE TANK SITS ...NOTICE IT LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK COMING DOWN ON TO THE FLOOR...I CANNOT FILL THE TANK AND THE SMELL AND THE AMOUNT OF GAS ON THE FLOOR I BELIEVE IS QUITE HAZARDOUS IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE UNDERNEATH A BEDROOM. *TR

WENT TO START THE CAR AND AT FIRST THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN OVER I HAD TO KEEP TAKING PUT AND INSERTING IT AT A DIFFERENT SIDE IT EVENTUALLY STARTED. SOON AS IT TURNED OVER THE BRAKE LIGHT ESP AND ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING THE CAR IS STUCK IN PARK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE VISIT WORKSHOP WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2003 MERC. BENZ E320, IT'S BEEN A CRAZY RIDE! HERE'S A LIST OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT HAPPENED TO ME OVER THE COURSE OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY I STILL DO. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL IN TOW AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME SEVERAL TIMES, MY BATTERY DIES CONSTANTLY, I HAD AN ISSUE WHEN AFTER I PUMPED GAS YOU COULD SMELL FUEL BOTH INSIDE MY CAR & OUTSIDE OF MY CAR, I LITERALLY ONE TIME HAD FUEL POURING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR THAT ENDED ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. (THANK GOD I DON'T SMOKE!) MY SUSPENSION IS CONSTANTLY RATTLING, I HAVE WATER THAT LEAKS ON MY FEET WHEN I DRIVE OCCASIONALLY AND SOMETIMES I HAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER AND SOMETIMES I DON'T. I ALWAYS HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND AS SOON AS I FIX ONE, ANOTHER ONE COMES ON. I CURRENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH CODE PO134, PO135 AND HAD THE O2 SENSOR CHANGED, THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND NOW I HAVE CODES PO171 & PO174 THAT I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET FIXED BECAUSE IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF ISSUES. MY BATTERY DRAINS WHEN MY ELECTRIC SEATS ARE PLUGGED IN AND SO I HAVE TO HAVE THEM UNPLUGGED TO SAVE MY BATTERY. DID I MENTION MY BACK TIRE BLEW OUT ON INTERSTATE 95 AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. IT'S DEVASTATING TO PAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU DO FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, IT'S PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE AND IS A MESS UNDER THE HOOD! IS IT NORMAL WHEN YOU HAVE THE AC ON FOR IT TO SOUND LIKE AN AIRPLANE READY FOR TAKE OFF? I'M TIRED OF INVESTING ALL KINDS OF MONEY INTO THIS CAR, I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I CAN'T EVEN PASS MY VA. STATE EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE OF ALL THESE ERROR CODES (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MALFUNCTIONS) AND THE STATE DOESN'T EVEN FIND MY CAR WORTHY OF BEING ON THE ROADS. *TR

AFTER FILLING UP CAR THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE. *TR

FUEL LEAKS AND FUEL FUMES IN CABIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE PUDDLES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

AFTER REFUELING MY E500 (FILLING IT UP), DRIVING IT HOME AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE, SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN MY HOME. I HAVE AN ATTACHED GARAGE WHICH UNFORTUNATELY HAS A PIECE OF DOOR FACING MISSING FROM THE SIDE ENTRY DOOR, WHICH IS HOW THE FUMES FLOWED INTO MY ATTIC AND THROUGH THE AC VENTS THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE HOME. THE FUMES WERE SO INTENSE I EXPERIENCED CHRONIC COUGHING, HEADACHE, AND ITCHING AROUND MY EYELIDS. THE LOCAL GAS COMPANY CAME OUT AND PERFORMED THEIR NORMAL ROUTINE ONLY TO INFORM ME IT WASN'T NATURAL GAS NOR CARBON-MONOXIDE. AS HE CHECKED THE HOT WATER HEATER LOCATED IN THE GARAGE, HE IMMEDIATELY STATED IT WAS MY CAR. I COULD SMELL GASOLINE FUMES AROUND MY CAR AS WELL AS INSIDE. IT WAS SO STRONG, I LEFT MY CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT, RAISED THE GARAGE DOOR (BOTH DOORS), OPENED ALL WINDOWS IN MY HOME AND SHORTLY THE FUMES HAD DISSIPATED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MB CORPORATE CUSTOMER CARE AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT ASSISTANCE THEY WILL OFFER ME AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OWNERS WHO STILL HAVE WARRANTY VEHICLES, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE REPAIR BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER. I AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSIS. IT IS MY HOPE MB WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE BRAKS FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED IN PARK INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

I FILLED MY CAR UP YESTERDAY AND I HAVE A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE MY CAR NOW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS LEAKING FUEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

SMELL OF GAS AFTER I FILL UP AT THE PUMP. *TR

CRACK AROUND FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE. CONSTANT STRONG ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE CAR. FILLS THE GARAGE WITH GAS ODOR AND INTO HOUSE. WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE GAS CAN STILL BE SMELLED. UNSAFE WHETHER PARKED, OR BEING DRIVEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 66,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SBC SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

THE CAR WHEN WE HAVE FULL TANK GIVES A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS, UNTIL COUPLE OF DAYS, ALSO WHEN GING SLOWLY THERE IS A MISFIRE ON THE ENGINE. READING ON THE FORUM SAYS THIS IS A KNOW INCIDENT WITH MERCEDEZ. I AM AFRAID THIS MIGHT CAUSE FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO DEALERSHIP ON THIS, ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SMELLED STRONG FUEL SMELL IN GARAGE AND CAR. REMOVED THE REAR SEAT TO ACCESS FUEL PUMP FUEL SENDER UNITS. UPON REMOVAL OF ACCESS DOOR LID I SEEN A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WHERE IT WAS SEEPING OUT BETWEEN A SEEM ON TOP OF THE UNIT. THIS SAME PART WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL IN 2008. THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FUEL LEAKS IS WIDE SPREAD AND WELL DOCUMENTED IN MBWORLD.ORG I CAN SUPPLY PICTURES IF NEEDED. *TR

2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD THAT READ BRAKING EFFECT REDUCED PLEASE VISIT WORKSHOP. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1925.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HYDRAULIC UNIT. *JB

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IN TRAFFIC AND IN THE LEFTMOST LANE. A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE CAR'S DASHBOARD THAT ADVISED THAT THE CAR HAD DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPABILITY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO DETERMINE HOW DIMINISHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS AS I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IN TRAFFIC. UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT BRAKE OR SLOW DOWN, I HAD NO BRAKES. AT THAT TIME A SECOND AND DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD WITH A STOP SIGN IKON; THE WARNING STATED: STOP CAR IMMEDIATELY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE (OR SOMETHING JUST AS DIRE AND TO THAT EFFECT). I MANAGED TO NAVIGATE ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC, WITHOUT BRAKING, AND CONTINUED ON THE HIGHWAY, WITHOUT BRAKES AND IN A COASTING MANNER, WHILE NOT APPLYING ADDITIONAL POWER TO THE CAR UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP I ENCOUNTERED A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, WHICH WAS RED TO MY TRAFFIC LANE, AND BEING UNABLE TO STOP I TRAVELED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. I CONTINUED ALONG A HEAVILY-TRAVELED ROAD UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO ENTER A SIDE STREET AND BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AND CALLED THE COLORADO AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION FOR A TOW OF THE CAR AS IT WAS CLEARLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR AS IT WAS, WAS A DANGER TO ME, TO OTHER MOTORISTS, VEHICLES, PEDESTRIANS AND PROPERTY. IN PURSUING A REMEDY FOR THE BRAKE FAILURE I ENCOUNTERED I LEARNED FROM A MERCEDES BENZ LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THE FAILURE I ENCOUNTERED WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS IN THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT. ADDITIONALLY, I LEARNED FROM THAT THIS DEFECT WITH THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT WAS KNOWN TO MERCEDES BENZ, YET MERCEDES BENZ DID NOT ADVISE ITS CUSTOMERS OF THIS LIFE-THREATENING, CATASTROPHIC CONDITION WITH ITS CARS. I AM DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR WITH A KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR UPDATED 09/30/2014 *JS

I SMELL GAS INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK AND IT SMELLS REALLY STRONG IN THE CAR , I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A LEAK I HAD PAY FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSIS IT AND THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS LEAKING A LITTLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND THAT I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT . *TR

LEAKING FUEL IN CAR AROUND NECK OF FUEL TANK /SENDING UNIT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH THE FUEL PUMP AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I HAVE A 2003 E320 SEDAN, I CAN SMELL VERY STRONG GAS FUMES ALL IN THE CAR CABIN EVERY TIME I FILL UP WITH GAS - NOT TOPPING OFF, AND NO FUEL LEAKING. THIS IS SO PREVALENT I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR PARKED OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF IN MY GARAGE. THIS CAN LAST FOR AROUND THREE DAYS. I HAVE INVESTIGATED POSSIBLE CAUSES AND NONE SEEM TO ACTUALLY CORRECT THE ISSUE. THIS CAN BE QUITE COSTLY. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED MANY MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED FOR THE SAME REASON. PLEASE HELP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,638.

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR - THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED. I TRIED TO RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT TO NOT AVAIL. IT MAY RESTART AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF (AFTER 20-30 MINUTES) BUT THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING AND WARM AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE: BATTERY PROTECTION - CONVENTIONAL FUNCTIONS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE DISPLAYS. ONCE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY POSSIBLY BE EVEN BEFORE TESTING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE CODE. HE SAID HE'S SEEN THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM CODE DID COME UP WITH A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS HE PREDICTED. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS? FORUM WEB SITES AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS ENTRIES FROM OWNERS WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AFFECTING SEVERAL MERCEDES MODEL YEARS. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND ASKED WHY A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THE REPAIR COST OR AT LEAST A NOTIFICATION OF THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT RECEIVE A FAVORABLE OUTCOME BUT WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT SHE WOULD ESCALATE THE ISSUE INTERNALLY SO THAT THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND IT CONTINUES TO AFFECT MANY OWNERS. HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH FLASHING WARNING DRIVER " REDUCED BRAKING EFFECT VISIT WORKSHOP" AND " INCREASE BRAKING DISTANCE VISIT WORKSHOP:. AFTER RESEARCH THIS WARNING IS DISPLAYED BECAUSE THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND REVERTED TO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS TAKEN EFFECT AS BACKUP. THIS CONDITION WAS SUBJECT TO NHSTB RECALL #'S 2004050014 AND 2005110001. I CONTACTED MERCEDES USA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS REFUSED HELP. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A CASE MANAGER WHO STATED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY MERCEDES AND THAT THEY HAD NO FURTHER OBLIGATION TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE STUDIED MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETINS AND BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION THE VEHICLES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS HAVE NOTES WITHIN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THAT "PLEASE NOTE THAT RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS DO NOT EXPIRE AND MAY BE PERFORMED ON A VEHICLE WITH A VEHICLE STATUS INDICATOR" IT IS FURTHER STATED IN MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THE "SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT PUMP MOTOR MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC BACK UP FUNCTION MODE. FURTHER, "GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH". TO THIS DAY MERCEDES ENGINEERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITH SOFTWARE FIXES WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF ANOTHER MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN. THE REFUSAL OF MERCEDES TO REPAIR AN OBVIOUS HAZARDOUS CONDITION OF A COMPONENT THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED IN UNACCEPTABLE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE VEHICLE POSES A THREAT TO NOT ONLY THE OPERATOR BUT OTHERS IF OPERATED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE NOT ALLOWED MY WIFE TO OPERATE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING EWA BOUND ON BERETANIA STREET AT ABOUT 7:45PM AT SPEED 25MPH. THE CAR HAD A RED WARNING AND BEEPS SAID BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP VEHICLE! AT THIS TIME MY CAR CAN NOT BRAKE AT ALL BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS COMPLETELY NOT WORKING WHEN MY CAR IS DRIVING. I HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND USE THE ASSISTANCE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON HIGHWAY WITH FAST SPEED! I FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON HAPPEN TO THIS MODEL DUE TO THE FAULT OF SBC ABS BRAKE PUMP. PARTS IS BREAKING DOWN BUT NOT ON BRAKE PUMP HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING. IT IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS! MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ENFORCING MERCEDES TO IMPROVE. THANKS *TR

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND STANDING GASOLINE UNDER THE REAR SEATS. *TR

AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK, FUMES FILLED THE CABIN. I LIFTED THE REAR SEAT AND EXPOSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE GAS TANK SENDING UNIT & THERE WAS A GAS PUDDLE SURROUNDING THE RING. THIS LEAK, ACCORDING TO POSTS, SEEM TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER I FILL THE TANK. THIS SMELL IS CONCENTRATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE BY THE REAR WHEEL. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR OR DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH, MERCEDES HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS UNLIMITED MILES FOR "COVERED FUEL TANK COMPONENTS". THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT THE SEVERITY OR THE SPECIFIC REASON FOR MY FUEL LEAK/SMELL WITHOUT PAYING A LARGE DIAGNOSTIC FEE/ W NO GUARANTEE OF WARRANTIED SERVICE. I WOULD LIKE THEM TO SHARE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH ME WITHOUT CHARGING DIAGNOSTIC FEE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED AS AN INTERIM FIX TO NOT FULLY FILL THE FUEL TANK BUT PROVIDED NO DIAGNOSIS OR REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELL THE STRONG FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

MY CAR IS HAVING A FUEL SMELL AND A ROUGH IDLE. MESSAGE POPS UP TO CHECK FUEL CAP, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. *TR

TODAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, A RED BRAKE FAILURE WARNING...FLASHES ACROSS THE SCREEN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP!!! I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED AND THANKFULLY ON A LEVEL SECTION OF ROAD. THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST FLOPPED..NOTHING.. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PARK AND GET OUT WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING!!! THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ( SEE NHTSA #05V-133 ) HOWEVER MERCEDES BENZ IS LIMITING IT TO 10 YEARS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE BRAKES CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CUTOFF DATE. MB REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS WITH VEHICLES OUTSIDE THE TEN YEAR PERIOD EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE AWARE IT IS STILL A PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL FUMES THAT EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL ODOR EMITTED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,860. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS SMELL WAS SO STRONG IT MADE THE OWNER DIZZY AT TIMES. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AS OF 7/25/2014 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY GERMAN MOTORS IN LAS VEGAS, NV. UPDATED 12/17/2014 *JS

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN CABIN OF VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE ON DRIVERS SIDE AFTER FILLING UP THE NIGHT PRIOR. THE CAR WAS NOT "TOPPED OFF". ONLINE SEARCH FOR CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM FOUND THIS IS COMMON AMONG W211 MERCEDES VEHICLES. THIS CAR IS NEW TO ME, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I FUELED THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 AFTER FILLING VEHICLE GAS TANK, VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. FUEL IS LEAKING AROUND SENDING UNIT AT GAS TANK, AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. DUE TO THE LEAK, VEHICLE CANNOT BE KEPT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL FUEL LEVEL REACHES 3/4 TANK. ALSO, THE SMELL IS SO BAD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER FILL UP, IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES E500. 100, 000 MILES AND I CAN SMELL HEAVY GAS FUMES FROM BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF MY CAR.THE CARS REARLEFT DRIVERSIDE HAS EXTREME GAS VAPOR FUMES COMING FROM FUELTANK AREA BEHIND RIGHT REAR WHEEL. SINCE I'VE NOTICED THE HEAVY FUEL ODORS, THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS. INHALING THE FUEL SMELL IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH. I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF FILING A COMPLAINT OR CLAIM IS POSSIBLE AND I ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS OR CAN THE MERCEDES DEALER HELP WITH OPTIONS TO FIX MY CAR? ANY POSITIVE ANSWERS WILL BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR

SBC BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKES NOT WORKING. CAR REFUSED TO STOP. I PUT IT ON PARK AND JUMPED OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

I STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THE CAR CABIN. THERE WAS GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY AS WELL. THE GAS SIGN STARTED TO FLASH ON MY DASH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A MAJOR LEAK IN THE PURGE SYSTEM. THEY QUOTED ME $3066.88. THEY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT PASS IT ON TO ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WAS SMELLED WITHIN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. MY CAR DISPLAYED A CODE STATING "BRAKE DEFECTIVE; STOP VEHICLE". THIS OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM A PREGNANT FEMALE AND WAS IN THE CAR ALONE, IT WAS TERRIFYING. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED OF AN EXTENDED 10 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE SBC UNIT OF MY CAR. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, I WAS NOT THE "REGISTERED USER" EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE LOAN AND TITLE IN MY NAME. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN SEPT OF 2013. AFTER MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED, IT WAS FOUND THAT IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE SBC UNIT THAT FAILED ME. I HAD PREVIOUS SIMILAR CODES (NONE THAT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO FAIL) RELATED TO THIS SBC UNIT DEFECT IN APRIL 2011 & AUGUST 2013 TO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW BRAKES. IT IS NOT KNOW WHETHER THIS WAS NECESSARY OR NOT SINCE MY CODE OF "SERVICE BRAKE" AT THOSE TIMES ARE A PART OF THE FAULTY SBC UNIT AND NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO THE SAFETY OF MY BRAKES. AFTER MY CASE WAS REVIEWED AND DENIED AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL, MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO SHELL OUT $1135 TO FIX THE PART OURSELVES. MY HUSBAND WAS PREVIOUSLY LAID OFF AND JUST STARTED A NEW JOB IN JUNE. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR THAT WE HAD TO PAY THIS MONEY WHEN WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND WERE NOT PRIVY TO THE INFORMATION TO FIX THE BRAKE SYSTEM WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME. I WORRY ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS CAR, ARE UNAWARE OF THE WARRANTY, AND ARE OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE DAMAGE OR INJURY. I FEEL MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I ALSO FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AS THIS WAS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AND I FEEL IT WAS HANDLED UNFAIRLY ON THE CORPORATE LEVEL OF MERCEDES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, AND EVER SINCE THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP MY FUEL TANK, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. SO MUCH THAT I COULD NOT BE IN THE CAR AND WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN AND SUNROOF OPENED SO THE SMELL CAN GO AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF WICHITA, KS AND EXPLAINED MY ISSUE AND THEY SIMPLY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MIGHT BE RELEASING VAPOR INTO THE CABIN AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF IT WAS A RECALL ITEM AND COVERED BY THEM, THEY TOLD ME NO AND THAT IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AT OVER 1000$. I WAS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIRS AT THE TIME SO I SIMPLY DID NOT FILL THE FUEL TANK TO THE TOP FROM THAT POINT ON. ON OCTOBER OF 2013 THOUGH, I PARK AT A LAUNDRY MAT FACILITY AND GO INSIDE. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES AN EMPLOYEE COMES IN ASKING WHO IS THE OWNER OF A SILVER MERCEDES (MY CAR) STATING THAT IT IS LEAKING FUEL. I RUN OUTSIDE AND NOTICE A HUGE PUDDLE UNDER MY REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WITH A STEADY STREAM OF FUEL COMING DOWN. I BECAME ALARMED AND BEGAN TO FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE BACK LOWER SEAT AND GAINED ACCESS TO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT UNDER THE SEAT AND NOTICED THERE WAS FUEL EVERYWHERE AND LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT. I TOOK PICS AND A VIDEO SO I CAN SHOW THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER THE PICTURES AND VIDEO, THEY SAID "WOW, THAT'S BAD. LOOKS LIKE YOU 'RE GOING TO NEED TO REPLACE IT" ONCE AGAIN I ASKED IF THAT QUALIFIED TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST BY THE DEALER SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER FLAW AND A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH POSSIBLE FIRE OR EXPLOSION WAITING TO OCCUR AND THEY SIMPLY SAID NO AND WOULD NOT TRY TO HELP ME WITH THE ISSUE. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET TO FIND NUMEROUS OTHER DRIVERS WITH SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT HELP THEM AS WELL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR