2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

AFTER REFUELING, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND GARAGE WHERE PARKED. EXTREMELY OVERWHELMING SMELL AND DANGER OBVIOUS. TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND FUEL TANK HAS LEAK AT SENSOR AND SENDING UNIT SEALS. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR AS NO RECALL ISSUED. OWNER FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL SERIES AND YEAR ONLINE AND WITH MECHANICS EXPERIENCE. STRONG POTENTIAL FOR IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. GASOLINE FUMES ARE HAZARDOUS TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS, WITH NUMEROUS MEDICAL ISSUES NOTED IN RESEARCH. STRONG ENOUGH IN CABIN TO CAUSE DIZZINESS, ILLNESS OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR

PLEASE REFERENCE THE NHTSA ACTION# PE12001. I FILLED THE TANK UNTIL THE PUMP SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY AND DID NOT ADD ANY ADDITIONAL FUEL BEYOND THAT. I PARKED THE CAR IN HOME GARAGE AND WAITED FOR 10 MINUTES THERE IS STRONG GASOLINE SMELL FILLED IN THE GARAGE. CHECKING AROUND THE VEHICLE NO VISIBLE LEAK UNDERNEATH. THE INTERIOR HAD A STRONG FUEL SMELL ON THE BACK SEATS. I AM A HOUSE WIFE, TAKING MY ONE YEAR OLD BABY WITH THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE FOR MY BABY SEATING WITH STRONG FUEL SMELL ON THE BACK SEATS. HOWEVER, I WENT BACK TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER, THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

I WALKED IN MY GARAGE AND SMELT A BAD FUEL SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR. AFTER REVIEW, I DETERMINED IT WAS MY FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP AND FUEL WAS ROLLING DOWN THE OUTSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND TO MY FINDINGS, THIS IS A NORMAL THING THAT HAPPENS WITH THESE VEHICLES. I KNOW THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, SO I THOUGHT I SHOULD FILE THIS COMPLAINT. THEY SHOULD TAKE BETTER PRECAUTIONS FOR THIS NOT TO HAPPEN. NOW WE ARE STUCK HAVING TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY TO GET THIS REPLACED OR FIXED, WHEN THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM ON THE CAR. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM, BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS THE SMELL OF GAS VENTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CONCERNED FOR PASSENGER SAFETY. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS NOT PROPERLY MEETING OR COMPLYING WITH EPA REGULATIONS CONCERNING PROPER EMISSIONS OF FUEL VENTILATION AND HAS GROSS PRODUCT SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING PASSENGER(S) INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FUELING SYSTEM IS VENTING IMPROPERLY AND FUEL SENDER IS NOT SEALED PROPERLY. CAR HAS NEVER HAD PROBLEM UNTIL CURRENT DATE OF FILING. AWARE OF CURRENT MERCEDES CORPORATE LEGAL RESPONSE TO YOUR ENQUIRE HOWEVER THE SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN WORKED ON (BY MERCEDES DEALER) NOR IS THIS JUST A MINOR ISSUE WITH LOW VEHICLE COUNT. PLEASE PROTECT ME AND MY FAMILY CONCERNING THIS ISSUE! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: PE12-001 (FUEL SYSTEM) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

IF I FILL THE TANK FULL OF FUEL (NOT OVERFILLING), FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL TANK, POOLS ON TOP OF TANK BY THE FUEL PUMPS UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEATS AND THE SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR IS OVERWHELMING. I WILL NOT TAKE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AFTER WITNESSING THESE ISSUES. AFTER CHECKING THE MERCEDES FORUMS, THIS ISSUE IS RAMPANT ON THE E CLASS MODELS, AND DESPITE REPLACEMENT OF NEW PARTS, THE PROBLEM REAPPEARS. I COMPLAINED TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN PLANO AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS EVEN THOUGH THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK. MERCEDES BENZ DEALER FOUND THE ISSUE ASSOCIATED TO LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT, WHICH SEEM TO BE A RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL IN MERCEDES. DEALER REQUIRES $875.34 TO FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED MBUSA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP WITH THIS REPAIR. IN 2008 THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL #2008-020001,ON SOME E AND CLS CLASS FOR 03-06 VEHICLES, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD MY CAR VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. WEB FORUMS OF MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS ARE FILLED WITH SAME COMPLAINT FOR ALL E CLASS MODELS WITH CHASSIS W211. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN OPEN NHTSA CASE PE12-001 THAT MAY BE RELATED TO MY COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION. THIS IS MY SECOND MERCEDES W211 MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 225,000. UPDATED 11/1/12 *CN UPDATED 11/13/2012 *JS

THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR AFTER FUELING. THE ODOR WILL LAST UNTIL THE FUEL GAUGE GETS BELOW THE FULL LEVEL. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED YET. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE A $2000 REPAIR TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND BOTH FUEL SENDERS. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT FOR A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE CAUSED BY A VIOLATION OF SAFETY AND EPA LAWS. *TR

CRACKED FUEL FILTER MODULE WITH LEAKING FUEL UNDER LEFT BACK SEAT. *TR

MY CAR STARTING SMELLING STRONGLY OF GASOLINE IN THE INTERIOR. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR CENTER AND HAD THE SENDING UNIT GASKET REPLACED. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, THE SMELL HAD NOT ABATED AND I HAD THE SAME REPAIR RE-PERFORMED UNDER REPAIR WARRANTY. THIS WAS AGAIN NOT SUCCESSFUL. I THEN RESEARCHED THE ISSUE IN GREATER DETAIL ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY ULTIMATELY REPLACED THE SENDING UNIT/HOSES AT A COST OF ABOUT $1200. THEY CONFIRMED THERE WAS A POOL OF GASOLINE JUST UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED GASOLINE TO SEEP INTO THE BACK SEATS. *TR..UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF UPDATED 1/16/2013 *JS

FUEL PUMP LEAKS ON THE TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY. SMELL OF GAS INSIDE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE REMOVED REAR SEAT AND OPENED FUEL PUMP COVERS REVEALED GASOLINE POOLING ON TOP OF PUMPS. SEEMS TO BE DUE TO CRACKS ON THE TOP OF ASSEMBLY. MANY 2003-2006 MERCEDES E CLASS HAVE THIS ISSUE MINE HAVE BEEN CHANGED ONCE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSE THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

THERE IS A SMELL OF GAS FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, LIQUID GAS CAN BE SEEN RUNNING FROM THE TOPSIDE OF THE TANK, TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL PUMP. *TR

AFTER FILLING UP FUEL, BUT NOT TOPPING OFF, THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. AFTER EVALUATION THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING SEVERELY AND THE SEAL SHOWS SIGNS OF LEAKING. ONLY 76,400 MILES ON A 2004 E320 DEALER QUOTED $2500 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SENDING UNIT, NEW SEALS AND NEW FUEL TANK. *TR

THE FUEL TANK CANNOT BE FILLED UP COMPLETELY. DOING SO CAUSES THE CAR TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUEL LEAK ON THE TANK WHICH CAUSES THE GASOLINE TO SPILL. THE ODOR COMES MOSTLY FROM THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. IF THE TANK IS FILLED, THE CAR WILL HAVE THE GASOLINE ODOR FOR WEEKS EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS LEFT OPEN. THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS IN MANY WAYS SINCE I HAVE AN INFANT WHO IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO SIT IN THE BACKSEAT REAR FACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE EMITTED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,838. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEATS AND PUDDLING. UPDATED 10/10/2012 *JS

FUEL SENDER LEAKING. FILLED GAS TANK, DROVE ON FREEWAY FOR APPROX 120 MILES. ARRIVED AT DESTINATION TO FIND THAT THE REAR SEAT CUSHION IS WARM TO THE TOUCH - LIFTED UP REAR SEAT FOAM CUSHION, FOUND THAT THE METAL UNDERNEATH IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH WITH BARE HANDS. REMOVED ACCESS COVER TO FUEL SENDER, FOUND FUEL LEAKAGE. *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. THE FIRST TIME WE FILLED UP THE TANK, WE NOTICED A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. I CALLED THE SELLER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID THAT IS BY NOT TOPPING OFF THE TANK. I FIGURED THIS WASN'T NORMAL, SO I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH. TURNS OUT MERCEDES E CLASS VEHICLES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SEAL. IN FACT, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS ONLY FOR THE AMG MODELS. BUT MY MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MERCEDES WAS BEING FILED THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE CONCERNING E CLASS VEHICLES FROM 2003-2009. *TR

NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE AND INSIDE MY VEHICLE. ALSO NOTICED THAT MY LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT WAS DISCOLORED WITH DARK YELLOW STAINING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON CAR AND TOOK TO LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER TO CHECK PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD FAILED AND THAT RAW FUEL WAS LEAKING IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE GASOLINE ODOR AND STAINING TO UPHOLSTERY. WAS STRONGLY URGED BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT MERCEDES-BENZ TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT "ANYTIME YOU'RE LEAKING FUEL THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE". HAD SENDING UNIT REPLACED AS ADVISED AND WAS TOLD TO KEEP WINDOWS DOWN TO AIR THE CAR OF GASOLINE FUMES. MERCEDES- BENZ ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN UPHOLSTERY HOWEVER THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL ( 91 OCTANE GAS), THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF SAID GASOLINE. WHEN I PARK IT IN MY CLOSED GARAGE, THE SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT I'M AFRAID A SPARK FROM THE WATER HEATER, OR EVEN THE ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT OPENS THE GARAGE COULD TRIGGER AN EXPLOSION. SIMPLY OPENING THE DOOR THAT LEADS FROM THE GARAGE TO THE HOUSE, FILLS MUCH OF THE IN HOUSE AREA WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE. DRIVING IS ALSO A CONCERN, DUE TO THE FACT THAT I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE GAS IS LEAKING FROM, (OTHER THAN SOMEWHERE ON THE GAS TANK) OR IF IT COULD DRIP ON A HOT PART OR COME IN CONTACT WITH AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. ONCE THE FUEL TANK IS BELOW 2/3, THE ODOR DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY. NOTE: I HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS ONE YEAR OLD AND, AFTER 5 TRIES BY THE DEALER, WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. POTENT FUEL SMELL PRESENT WHEN GAS TANK FILLED ABOVE 3/4. FUMES ARE NOXIOUS AND PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. BURNING PLASTIC-LIKE SCENT ALSO FREQUENT EVEN WHEN TANK NOT FILLED ABOVE 3/4. VEHICLE MAY VIBRATE OR HESITATE WHILE MOVING, MAY JERK UNEXPECTEDLY FORWARD WHEN STOPPED EVEN WITH BRAKES FULLY APPLIED. ANY LEAKING FUEL A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO SPARKING OR FRICTION COMMON IN MOVING VEHICLES. *TR

EVERYTIME I FILL MY CAR WITH GAS THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CAR. I TOOK THE BACK SEAT OUT AND THERE IS A POOL OF FUEL THERE AS WELL AS UNDER THE CAR. I DON'T EVER FILL MY CAR UP MORE THAN 3/4 A TANK OTHERWISE THE FUEL LEAKS INTO THE CABIN AND GIVES ME A STRONG ODOR. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, A SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTICED IN THE GARAGE. UPON BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE ONTO MY SLOPED DRIVEWAY, GAS WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING FROM UNDER THE CAR ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND STREET. AFTER ABOUT 50 MILES OF DRIVING, THE SMELL OF GAS NO LONGER WAS PRESENT AND NO LEAK WAS NOTICED. *TR

THE CAR LOWERED TO AN UNACCEPTABLE POINT TO WHERE THE CAR IS A VERY ROUGH RIDE AND ANY BUMP IS HIT HARD. *TR

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FUEL SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN. I HAVE OWNED A 2005 C230 COMPRESSOR AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND MB TOOK CARE OF THIS WITH NO ISSUES. NO I HAVE AN E320 AND THEY WONT FIX THIS ISSUE. AFTER FILLING UP DRIVING WITH THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN HAS CAUSED SERIOUS HEADACHES FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. EVEN PARKING IN MY GARAGE HAS FILLED MY WHOLE HOUSE WITH THE SMELL OF FUEL. I HAVE A 5000.00 DOLLAR PARROT THIS IS VERY SENSITIVE TO SMELLS AND THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS AFFECT TO EVERYONE'S HEALTH AND SAFETY. IF MB CAN FIX THIS ISSUE ON ONE CAR WHY CANT THEY FIX IT ON ALL CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND WAS PRESENT UNDER THE REAR SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DEFECT RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

MY E 320 HAS GAS SMELL IN MY GARAGE AFTER REFUELING SINCE JUNE/2012. THE SMELL IS GETTING EVEN STRONGER FOR LAST A FEW MONTHS. *TR

MY AIR SUSPENSION IS LOW ON THE CAR. WHEN I LEAVE THE CAR PARKED FOR A DAY OR SO AND COME BACK THE CAR SITS VERY LOW. WHEN I DRIVE IT GOES BACK UP BUT NOW THE CAR WON'T GO BACK UP IT JUST STAYS LOW. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS WHO HAVE MERCEDES BENZ WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ACTION# PE12001 HEAVY FUEL SMELL FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER FILLING VEHICLE UP WITH FUEL. *TR

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED 05/2012 WITH 95,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM REAR SEAT AREA, STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, ALSO IF LEFT OVERNIGHT IN CLOSED GARAGE (WITH FUEL TANK FULL), GARAGE SMELLS OF GAS. I HAVE REMOVED THE METAL FUEL SENDER ACCESS COVER UNDER THE REAR SEAT AND FOUND A POOL OF GAS, APPROX 20Z AROUND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR (HAVE PHOTOS OF THIS). *TR

THIS CAR DEVELOPED A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN SHORTLY AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS IN EARLY 2012. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DID WARRANTY WORK REPLACING SEALS, ETC. A LITTLE UNDER A YEAR LATER THE SMELL CAME BACK. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE I DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND FOUND WHERE GASOLINE HAS STAINED THE CUSHIONING AND A CLOTH THAT INSULATES BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE SEAT. THE FUEL SMELL IS MUCH STRONGER IN THIS AREA, WHICH IS INSIDE THE CABIN. THE DEALER GAVE ME BACK AN ESTIMATE OF ALMOST $2,900 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY, SENDING UNITS, HOSES, ETC. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MBUSA. *TR

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER EACH FILL-UP. THIS IS A GARAGED VEHICLE AND THE ODOR LINGERS FOR SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWING EACH FILL-UP. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A LONG TIME AND THE DATE/MILEAGE OF FIRST OCCURRENCE AS SHOWN ABOVE ARE ESTIMATES. *TR

CAR STARTED READING SRS AIRBAG MALFUNCTION (STILL NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED) CAR IS SOMETIMES UNABLE TO READ HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE VEHICLE. CAR COULDN'T PASS EMISSIONS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.THE CAR SMELLS OF A STRONG GAS ODOR. UNABLE TO PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG SMELL. EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FILLED WITH GAS THE CAR PRESENTS A STRONG GAS ODOR UNTIL IT GETS BELOW HALF A TANK. MERCEDES WANTED TO CHARGE ME $4000.00 TO HAVE IT FIX SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SHOP WHO CHARGE ME $1,300.00. PROBLEM FIXED, HOWEVER I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON SO THEY CHARGED ME $2,100.00 TO FIX THAT ALONG WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY E CLASS HOME FROM WORK MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIT UP AND DISPLAYED "VEHICLE LOW DON'T DRIVE". I WAS AT THE ENTRANCE WAY TO MY HOME AND PROCEEDED TO MY GARAGE. UPON GETTING OUT OF MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT FENDER WAS LOWERED DOWN TO THE TOP OF THE TIRE. I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AIR MATIC STRUT ASSEMBLY; WHICH IS A COSTLY REPAIR. MY RIGHT SIDE WENT OUT AT 88,000 MILES. MERCEDES SHOULD ON UP TO THE FLAWS IN THIS SYSTEM AND FIND A CHEAPER FIX FOR THE VEHICLE OWNERS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES. *TR

AFTER FILLING THE TANK THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN AND ABOVE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE FUEL VAPORS SATURATE THE GARAGE SPACE AND ALSO ENTER THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT. THE FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200 CC OF GASOLINE POOLED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE SENDING UNIT. THIS FUEL EVAPORATES THROUGH THE CABIN AND OUSIDE THROUGH THE SPACE OF THE REAR LEFT WHEEL. THE CAR, MY FAMILY, AND MY HOUSE IS AT THE RISK OF FIRE AND GASOLINE EXPLOSION. THE MB AUTHORIZED DEALER DECLINED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE THIS SERIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COST IS APPROXIMATELY $2400 WHICH INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK AND THE SENDING UNITS. *TT

AFTER REFUELING, THE CAR HAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. THE AIR BRAKES MAKE A ROARING NOISE WHEN PRESSED. THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED SRS INDICATOR REMAINS ON. *TR

WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CAR WAS LEAKING GAS. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THE GAS TANK IN THIS MODEL HAD A PROBLEM AND THAT IT WOULD BE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX, APPROXIMATELY $2,000, HE ADVISED THAT THIS WILL LIKELY ONLY HAPPEN WHEN WE FILL THE TANK AND THAT WE COULD PREVENT THE PROBLEM BY NOT FILLING THE TANK FULL...WHICH WE HAVE DONE SINCE BUT IT IS A GREAT INCONVENIENCE AND IT SCARES US TO THINK THAT WE ARE DRIVING A CAR WITH A LEAKING GAS TANK. RECENTLY WE BECAME AWARE THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE OWNERS LIKE US AND THAT THERE WAS A COMPLAINT PROCESS THAT WE COULD USE WITH THE NTSB....I AM RESPONDING WITHIN 24 OF HOURS OF KNOWING THIS. THE MERCEDES DEALER WAS NOT FORTHCOMING ABOUT THIS AND DID NOT FULLY ADVISE US OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AND WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED. WE ARE NOW EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE CAR IN PASSING EMISSIONS TESTING IN TN (WHERE WE NOW LIVE)....FL DID NOT HAVE AN EMISSIONS TESTING POLICY. WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE FROM A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP THAT IT WILL COST ALMOST $2,000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND WE FEEL THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE REFILLED THE GAS TANK, SHE SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GAS TANK AND ALL ASSOCIATED PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP WOULD ILLUMINATE AND FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED THOROUGHLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,500.

WHEN FILLING UP MY VEHICLE WITH FUEL I HAVE NOTICED THAT FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD BY TRADE AND UPON SHORT INVESTIGATION I HAVE NOTICED THAT RAW FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND POOLING UP UNDER THE BACK SEATS WHERE THE ACCESS PANELS ARE LOCATED. THIS RAW FUEL CAN AND WILL DRIP ONTO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE CREATING A NOT ONLY DANGEROUS BUT POTENTIALLY FATAL SCENARIO. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO KEEP THE FUEL LEVEL AT HALF FULL TO PREVENT ANY SPILL OVER OUTSIDE THE CAR AND INTO THE CABIN. WHAT I HAVE READ ON ENTHUSIAST SITES I AM ONE OF HUNDREDS THAT HAVE CLAIMED THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE WHERE E320 IS PARKED ON MULTIPLE OCCASSIONS OVER THE PAST YEAR. MOST RECENTLY, FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BY BENZ DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND THE SMELL BECAME STRONGER AND STRONGER ONLY TO FIND GAS LEAKING FROM CAR 2 DAYS LATER. *TR

WHILE CHECKING THE REAR BRAKES WE SMELLED GAS AT THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF CAR. INVESTIGATED AND FOUND STAINS ON THE UNDERBODY IN THE GAS TANK AREA. YOUR WEBSITE INDICATES THAT YOU ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GATHERING INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT AND MAY ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE. *TR

VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND MAKING THE PASSENGERS DIZZY. THE FUEL PUMP APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING GAS INTO THE CAR. POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD AND HEALTH HAZARD WHEN INHALED. TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WITH THESE CARS. IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THIS IS A MAJOR LIABILITY THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS A CASE FOR A POTENTIAL RECALL. *TR

BRAKES FAILED AT 70 MPH. "BRAKES WARNING" SBC FAILED. PULL OVER VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ACTION# PE12001. *TR

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED IT RESULTS IN A BAD GAS ODOR SMELL. *TR

AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR

WHEN WE FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS WE HAVE A RESIDUAL SMELL OF GASOLINE UPON RETURN TO OUR GARAGE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IF WE DO NOT FILL IT UP FULLY. WE THOUGHT WE MUST HAVE A LEAK SOMEWHERE, BUT ARE NOT SURE AND ALTHOUGH WE DISCUSSED IT WITH OUR MECHANIC, WE HAVE HAD NO RESOLUTION TO DATE. *TR

MY 2004 E55 AMG WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. WHEN RETURNING TO THE GARAGE ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE GARAGE WAS CONSUMED WITH GAS FUMES. I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE ONLY TO FIND THAT A 1/4 TANK OR SO OF GAS HAD SPILLED ON THE FLOOR. HESITANT TO LEAVE THE CAR IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, I DROVE THE CAR 10 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD TO MY LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER FOR INSPECTION. (I THOUGHT IT BEST NOT TO WAIT UNTIL MORNING, AS HOT EXHAUST PIPE AND GAS SPILL WAS NOT SOMETHING I AM COMFORTABLE WITH.) I FOUND THAT MANY VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON OF MY MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. AFTER READING MANY SAFETY CONCERNS AND EVEN HAVING MY OWN CONCERNS NOW OF DRIVING THE CAR, I DECIDED TO WRITE THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT. EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CAR SMELLS OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. STILL HESITANT TO PARK IN THE GARAGE, I AM KEEPING THE CAR OUTSIDE UNTIL IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED SAFE. *TR