2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

STARTED SMELLING GAS AFTER FILLING UP AND EVENTUALLY FOUND THAT THE FUEL SENDER/HOSE WAS LEAKING FUEL. FUEL WAS ALSO LEAKING AND PUDDLING UP AROUND THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL SENDER. *TR

A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WAS PRESENT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. CHECKED THE VEHICLE FOR LEAKS AND FOUND NONE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE SAME OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY BUT FUEL SEEPED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I BACKED UP. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MERCEDES MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND LINES LOCATED ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REDUCED BRAKING AFFECT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE PUMP HAVING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED ACROSS MY INSTRUMENT PANEL TO STOP MY VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. AT THE SAME TIME THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TRIED TO ENGAGE MY BRAKES, BUT THEY FAILED AND I HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE TO AVOID REAR ENDING AN SUV. I WAS ABLE TO WORK MY WAY OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COAST TO A STOP. I WAS TOLD BY THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE, BUT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON A SPECIFIC BRAKE PART. IF THE DEALER DETERMINES THAT THIS PARTICULAR BRAKE PART IS TO BLAME FOR THE FAILURE, MERCEDES WILL COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL NOTICE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE (NHTSA RECALL # 04V-296) THAT APPEARS TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A DEFECT, THIS SERIOUS, WOULD NOT WARRANT A RECALL THAT OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF. THE OUTCOME OF THIS BRAKE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY TRAGIC. *TR

I AM DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE WE?VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME SINCE LAST YEAR WHEN WE WENT TO OUR DEALERSHIP THE COMPLAINT OF SMELLING GAS FUMES AFTER PUMPING GAS. WE SMELLED THE FUMES IN THE REAR CABIN AREA PRIMARILY. WE HAD THE DEALERSHIP AND A COUPLE OTHER CERTIFIED MERCEDES BENZ SHOPS LOOK AT THE ISSUE DETERMINING THAT THE SENDING UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE GOING TO DO THE SERVICE LATER AFTER ONE DEALERSHIP TOLD US TO JUST KEEP THE CAR HALF FULL WITH FUEL UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO COMPLETE THE SERVICE REPAIR FOR OVER $1,000 OUT OF OUR OWN POCKETS. *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR AFTER REFUELING. *TR

GAS ODOR BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN TANK IS FILLED TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY. ODOR LINGERS UNTIL TANK IS ABOUT HALF EMPTY. INSPECTED FUEL PUMP/FILTER LOCATED UNDER REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND DISCOVERED GAS LEAKAGE/PUDDLE. GAS LEAK IS WITHIN A COUPLE OF CENTIMETERS FROM TWO ELECTRICAL CABLE CONNECTIONS ATTACHED TO FUEL PUMP/FILTER - AN IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. PREVAILING FUMES ARE HAZARDOUS TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY SMALL CHILDREN, AND MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR

INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE BEGAN SMELLING STRONG GASOLINE ODOR PRESENTING A FIRE HAZARD. I FOUND SEVERE LEAKING AT SEAM AT TOP OF GAS TANK UNDER REAR SEAT OF MY VEHICLE & WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY, FUEL PUMP SENSOR, FUEL PUMP & SEALS AT COST OF $2,014.00. I WAS TOLD THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ INVOLVING YEAR 2003 & LATER 320E AUTOS FOR THIS ISSUE WAS IN PROGRESS IN ATLANTA, GA. HOWEVER FLORIDA CARS (OWNERS) WERE EXCLUDED ON A TECHNICALITY!!. THIS DANGER EXISTS ON ALL CARS, WHEREVER LOCATED AND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED BY MERCEDES. THE DANGER OF EXPLOSION AND DEATH IS IMMINENT IN ANY OF THESE AUTOS. MERCEDES IS AND HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AS WAS BROUGHT OUT IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND UNDER OUR TRANSPORTATION SAFETY RULES SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE AUTOS YEARS AGO. THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM, AND FLORIDA AUTO OWNERS SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LOSS AS SHOULD BE ANY OTHER OWNERS WHERE EVER LOCATED. YOUR ADVISE AND ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.. *TR

AFTER REFUELING AND FILLING THE FUEL TANK, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMITS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AND INSIDE THE CAR. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE, PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT SEAL FAILURE CAUSING POOLING OF GASOLINE AROUND THE SENDING UNIT NEXT TO ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AND DIRECTLY UNDER THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT. I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND ACCESS PANEL TO THE SENDING UNIT AND DISCOVERED POOLED GASOLINE AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. THE SENDING UNIT APPEARED TIGHT. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CUTS OR FAILURE TO THE HOSE, JUST AROUND THE SENDING UNIT ITSELF. MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER CLAIMED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS CONDITION, EVEN THOUGH THERE APPEAR TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO BRING MY CAR IN TO BE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC TO TRULY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I HAVE AN ISSUE SIMILAR TO MANY OTHER W211 CHASSIS MERCEDES OWNERS. THE FUEL TANK LEAK/FUEL ODOR HAS BEEN GOING ON IN MY CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR. THEY QUOTED A ~$2000+ REPAIR JOB FOR WHAT'S OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

EVERYTIME I FILL MY FUEL TANK I'VE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. UPON INSPECTION I HAVE FOUND THE FUEL TANK TO HAVE TRACES OF FUEL ON THE EXTERIOR OF TANK, SO MY TANK HAS A LEAK SOMEWHERE. *TR

2004 E320 4MATIC WAGON. ENGINE STALLED WHILE MERGING TO I-65 SB. VEHICLE WAS 7QT LOW ON OIL. VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL DIPSTICK TO CHECK OIL. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FLEXIBLE SERVICE SYSTEM THAT MONITORS OIL LEVEL, CONDUCTIVITY, TEMP, PRESSURE. OWNERS MANUAL SHOWS THAT IF ANY PARAMETERS ARE OUTSIDE NORMAL, OR IN THE CASE OF SENSOR/SYSTEM FAILURE, A RED WARNING WOULD APPEAR ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TO INSTRUCT THE DRIVER TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. NO WARNING WAS DISPLAYED. DEALERSHIP STATES INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH CENTRAL COMPUTER DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE. ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. REQUESTED MERCEDES BENZ TO REPLACE ENGINE AND ASSIGN ENGINEERING TEAM TO ADDRESS ISSUE AND ISSUE A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT FAILURE FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. MERCEDES BENZ STATED THAT THEY WILL PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD ALSO FAIL TO PROVIDE OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION (BRAKE SYSTEM, AIRBAGS, ENGINE COOLING PARAMETERS) AS WELL. AS AN ENGINEER, IN MY OPINION, THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN EVALUATED BY A FAILURE MODE EFFECTS ANALYSIS PRIOR TO DECIDING TO REMOVE THE MANUAL DIPSTICK. IF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH CENTRAL COMPUTER, IT SHOULD DISPLAY A WARNING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN 2004 MERCEDES E500 4MATIC ONE DAY AFTER FILLING GAS TANK WITH FUEL NOTICE STRONG SMELL CAME FROM DRIVER REAR SIDE OF THE CAR. I DROVE TO MY GARAGE AND INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THE SENDING FUEL UNIT LOCATED UNDER REAR SEAT DRIVERS SIDE HAS A CRACK FROM WHICH FUEL LEAKING OUT. CALLED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF USA SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY REFUSED FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE ALSO EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS COLLECTING UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,945.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM SENDING UNIT WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM SENDING UNIT. APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE OPPOSITE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD NOW BECOME FRACTURED, AS WELL AS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE NEW UNIT BUT THE OLDER UNIT THAT WAS FRACTURED FOR THE SECOND TIME WOULD HAVE TO BE COVERED BY THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,400.

WHEN YOU FILLED THE TANK UP AT ANY TIME, THERE WOULD BE A HORRENDOUS RAW FUEL SMELL UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL DROPPED OFF OF FULL. IT WAS SO BAD I HAD TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE INSTEAD OF IN THE GARAGE FOR FEAR OF A FIRE STARTING AND A SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEDUCTIBLE WAS $200. THEY ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP AND ALL RELATED ITEMS TO AN UPDATED MODEL TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM. I AM STILL OUT THE $200 DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 BEGAN SMELLING FUEL COMING FROM REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AREA (UNDER REAR SEAT) ONCE FUEL TANK WAS FULLY FILLED UP. THE SMELL WOULD PERSIST UNTIL A LITTLE ABOVE 3/4'S OF THE TANK REMAINING. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, WHEN TRYING TO FILL TANK UP ALL THE WAY, GAS PUMP WOULD CLICK OFF BEFORE FILLING UP (WITH ABOUT 2 OR 3 GALLONS STILL EMPTY IN THE TANK). BEGINNING OF MARCH, THE CHECK FUEL CAP WARNING WOULD COME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED AND STILL SAME ERROR SHOWS. *TR

THE SRS, (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) OR "AIR BAG" LIGHT ILLUMINATED, CAUSED BY THE SRSCONTROL UNIT EXPERIENCING AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL FAULT. THE FAULT DISPLAYED CODE 9120. MERCEDES VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL ARE KNOWN TO HAVE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS ISSUES. EVEN THOUGH MY ISSUE WASN'T THE HARNESS ITSELF, IT PRESENTS A FLAW RESULTING IN A SAFETY AND STATE INSPECTION ISSUE. *TR

THE FUEL TANK CRACKED AND LEAKS FUEL WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO COMES ON STATING SMALL EVAP LEAK FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, BECAUSE OF THIS CRACK/LEAK. IT IS POTENTIALLY A FIRE ISSUE AND CAUSES NOTICEABLE FUEL VAPOR/SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS KNOWN TO EFFECT MANY IF NOT ALL E-CLASSES FROM THIS GENERATION AND MERCEDES BENZ IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT LIABILITY OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

STARTED SMELLING GAS AFTER FILLING UP AND EVENTUALLY FOUND THAT THE FUEL SENDER/HOSE WAS SPRAYING FUEL ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR/REAR SEAT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT FUEL LEAKS COMING FROM AND AROUND THE TANK ARE VERY COMMON AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL YEARS AGO TO REINFORCE THE SENDER/HOSE. FUEL WAS ALSO LEAKING AND PUDDLING UP AROUND THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL SENDER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN/PART FLAW AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY TO MANY PEOPLE. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CAR. IT SEEMS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MAYBE LEAKING AND THE FUEL TANK IS CRACKED/LEAKING. *TR

I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2004 MERCEDES E500 4MATIC WITH 78,000 MILES CURRENTLY ON IT. RECENTLY, AFTER REFUELING THE CAR I HAVE NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AFTER FILLING MY TANK ABOUT 3 TIMES I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE. WITH NOT MUCH SEARCHING I FOUND A FLOOD OF COMPLAINTS FROM MERCEDES OWNERS CLAIMING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS A SAFETY CONCERN AND IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING, THERE IS A HEAVY FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

MY CAR HAS HAD A RECALL ONCE FOR GAS SMELL AND PUDDLE UNDER CAR WHEN PARKED OVER NIGHT. TOOK IT BACK TO MERCEDES FOR SAME ISSUE THEY SMELLED THE OVERWHELMING GAS SMELL IN THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE SAME PARTS AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I SEE THAT COMPLAINT NUMBER PE12001 HAS BEEN FILED SO I'M NOT THE ONLY I E WITH THIS ISSUE. I CAN'T PUT MORE THAN ONE HALF TANK OF GAS IN MY CAR OR THE [XXX] SMELL KILLS ME. ALSO IT LEAKE GAS AND LEAVES A PUDDLE WHERE THE CAR IS PARKED. COMING FROM TANK UNDER BACK SEAT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AS WELL AS OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROMPTED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST, DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS A LEAKING FUEL PURGE VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE. AFTER A $1,600 QUOTE, I REQUESTED THEY NOT DO THE WORK SO I COULD TAKE IT FOR A SECOND OPINION. WAS CALLED BACK LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED OF A "MISCOMMUNICATION" AND THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED WITH A $1,600 BILL AWAITING ME. I WORKED OUT A PAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE DEALER AND NEVER TOOK THE CAR BACK DESPITE INTERMITTENT GAS SMELLS IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR GOOD LESS THAN 12 MONTHS LATER. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER LOCAL SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD ONE OF THE FUEL PUMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $600 LATER, AND 4 MORE TRIPS BACK TO THE SHOP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STRONG GAS FUMES STILL PERMEATE THE CAR. TOOK IT TO SHOP #3 TODAY AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE QUOTE IS $1,700. I DON'T TRUST THE DEALER, AND BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL PUMP REPLACE BY SHOP #2 WAS NOT THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS AS IF IT'S BEEN THE FUEL TANK ALL ALONG. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE PART AS THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AND WITH TWO CHILDREN, I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ADDITIONAL NECESSARY TO HELP CONCLUDE THIS INVESTIGATION. I'M HOPING THERE WILL BE RECOURSE WITH MBUSA TO REIMBURSE IT'S CUSTOMERS FOR THE FAULTY PART REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS. THANK YOU. *TR

AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL ALMOST LIKE IT IS LEAKING. *TR

FILLED CAR UP WITH GAS AND GAS STARTED POURING OUR OF REAR UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND ALSO UNDER SEAT IN REAR OF CAR. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERYWHERE. CAR WAS A GAS BOMB! VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO REPLACE 2 FUEL PUMPS (PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE) DUE TO SAME PROBLEM, AND NOW I AM REPLACING THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL PUMP AS I TYPE THIS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM WITH WHOM MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. DO A SEARCH ON GOOGLE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN POSTED TO ALL INTERNET SUPPORT FORUMS FOR MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES! PLEASE LOOK HERE - HTTP://ALTURL.COM/JCCRG. *TR

MELT BROKEN GAS TANK, FUEL LEAK: * DRIVE SHAFT HAS SIGN OF RUBBING THE HEAT SHIELD * BURNED/MELTED RUBBER TUBE THAT COVERS THE METAL EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE (PASSENGER SIDE) * BURNED/MELTED HEAT SHIELD NEAR DRIVE SHAFT (PASSENGER SIDE) * BURNED/MELTED GAS TANK (PASSENGER SIDE) THAT HAD A HOLE AND CAUSED MASSIVE FUEL LEAK. *TR

FUEL LEAKING FROM SENDER UNIT FUEL ALL AROUND RIM OF SENDER UNIT EVERY TIME CAR IS CRANKED TO START FUEL SQUIRTS OUT LONG CRANKS LOW PRESSURE IN LINE WONT LET CAR TURN ON SOME TIMES THE MORE YOU CRANK THE MORE FUEL SPILLS VERY DANGEROUS SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS $50,000 MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM ARENT THEY THE SAFEST CARS ON THE PLANET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN SEVERE RAINY CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE UPON ENGAGING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITH EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. WHEN THE DESTINATION WAS REACHED, THE CONTACT REALIZED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND HE REMOVED IT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

I CAME OUT TO MY GARAGE ONE MORNING TO FIND A MY CAR WREAKING OF FUEL. I DECIDED TO DRIVE THE CAR AROUND FOR A FEW TO SEE IF IT THE PUNGENT ODOR WOULD GO DISSIPATE ALTOGETHER. DURING THIS TIME, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO LET HIM DO A QUICK ONCE-OVER BEFORE HE LEFT FOR THE DAY. HE STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST. BEING THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS AND WHATNOT TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT, I HAD IT TOWED TO MERCEDES BENZ. I WAS NOT GOING TO LET MY GIRLFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO WAY, NO HOW. SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE(MY LOCAL MECEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP) FOUND A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER MY BACK SEAT. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT PARTIALLY UNDER MY THIRD PARTY WARRANTY. I, HOWEVER, HAD TO PAY ROUGHLY $500 OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING ON MANY W211 E CLASS CARS, IT HAS HAPPENED TO SOME MORE THAN ONCE. I'M AT 7X,XXX MILES NOW AND DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT LEAKING ONTO MY EXHAUST ISN'T TO BE TOLERATED. IT'S DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION STRUT ON A 2004 MERCEDES E500 STATION WAGON. THE CAR HAS AN AIR RIDE SYSTEM WHICH MAINTAINS THE RIGHT HEIGHT OF ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE CAR. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY BY MERCEDES SINCE PURCHASE. THE AIR BLADDER INSIDE THE STRUT BLEW OUT WHILE PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOME. THIS RESULTED IN THE RIDE HEIGHT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR DROPPING IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING TO THE POINT WHERE THE FRAME WAS BARELY 2" ABOVE THE PAVEMENT. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT SPEED ON A ROUGH ROAD OR ONE WITH CROWN OR AN IRREGULAR SURFACE, OR IN HEAVY SNOW, THE FRAME COULD CONTACT THE GROUND CAUSING ANY NUMBER OF POSSIBLE OUTCOMES INCLUDING SEVERE CHASSIS DAMAGE AND TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SEAL RING ON THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,830.

WHENEVER I FILL UP MY GAS TANK, I GET A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR IN THE CAR. ITS VERY STRONG IN THE BACK SEAT AND AROUND THE REAR DRIVER WHEEL ON THE OUTSIDE. IT GOES AWAY ONCE MY TANK GETS TO 3/4 FULL APPROXIMATELY. MY KIDS ARE IN THE BACKSEAT IN THEIR CAR SEATS, INHALING THESE FUMES. NOW MY WIFE IS PREGNANT, AND SHE INHALES THESE FUMES TOO. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG. I NEED HELP. *TR

2004 E320 MERCEDES FUEL SMELL POSSIBLY DUE TO A RECALL ISSUE OF THE FUEL SENDER RECALL AND/OR FUEL FILLER RECALL . I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED THIS SMELL YESTERDAY WHEN I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN EMISSIONS RECALL FROM MERCEDES ABOUT THESE ISSUES. I AM SCARED THAT THE RECALL PART IS LEAKING FUEL AND WILL BLOW UP KILLING MY FAMILY AND I. *TR

FUEL TANK LEAK. GARAGE IS FILLED WITH GAS SMELL. AFTER READING ON LINE, IT SEEMS THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER MB E-CLASS (MODEL YEAR 03 - 06) ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD AND IN THE HOT AND HUMID VIRGINIA WEATHER, THE CAR IS A MOBILE BOMB WAITING TO GO OFF. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO THE ENGINEER THAT IS WORKING/LOOKING AT THE EXISTING COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

AFTER FILLING THE TANK TO MORE THAN 3/4 FULL, GAS LEAKS OUT FROM TANK INTO THE CABIN UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE CAR FILLS WITH GAS FUMES. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON W211 MODELS. *TR

AFTER REFUELING VEHICLE, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE EMANATING FROM THE REAR SEAT AREA. IN JULY, 2011, A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP DETERMINED TWO SENDING UNITS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT WERE LEAKING, NECESSITATING THEIR REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO MENTION OF ANY RECALL OR SERVICE CAMPAIGN RELATIVE TO THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE APPROXIMATE COST TO ME WAS $2000.00. JUST LAST WEEK, ON APRIL 6, 2012 THE SAME EVENT OCCURRED WHEREIN I REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND, AGAIN, NOTICED THE SAME GAS ODOR. THIS TIME I ALSO NOTICED FUEL HAD SPILLED ON THE PAVEMENT IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT REAR PORTION OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER THAT MADE THE ORIGINAL REPAIRS AND I AM AWAITING THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM. THIS RECURRENCE HAPPENED JUST NINE MONTHS AND 6,000 MILES AFTER THE PREVIOUS REPAIR. IN THE INTERIM, I BECAME AWARE OF A 2008 RECALL INVOLVING A FUEL LEAK ON MY MODEL VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE JULY, 2011 REPAIR SHOULD HAVE, IN FACT, BEEN COVERED BY THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. I HAVE ALSO SINCE LEARNED THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS OF MY TYPE VEHICLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR GAS LEAKS LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD, FREQUENT PROBLEM WHICH HAS SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS REGARDING PERSONAL SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER APPEARS TO HAVE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED A PART OR SERIES OF PARTS THAT EITHER ALONE OR IN COMBINATION FAIL RESULTING IN A HAZARDOUS FUEL LEAK. GIVEN THE RECURRENCE OF THE LEAK IN MY CASE IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, IT APPEARS THE REMEDIAL ACTION IS INEFFECTIVE IN SOLVING THE GAS LEAK PROBLEM. *TR

MY MERCEDES E500 2004 RANDOMLY LOSES POWER AFTER COMING TO A STOP. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND STOP. I TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND IT THE POWER IS OK. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES OUT AFTER RESTARTING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONE OR TWICE A MONTH. I ONLY HAVE 45K ON THE CAR. NOW IT'S HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THAN GO OUT AFTER RESTARTING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE FOUND NO TROUBLE. THEY GIVE ME THE GAS CAP , BAD GAS, ECT. TODAY I LOST POWER TOOK IN TO THE DEALER AND NOW THEY ARE STATING A POWER TRAIN PROBLEM. I GET NERVOUS ON THE ROAD WAY WHEN I LOSE POWER BECAUSE I CAN NOT SPEED UP AND GET AWAY FROM ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALER IS STATING 2 TO 5 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 45K AND I KEEP IT IN MINT CONDITION AND ONLY DRIVE IT ON WEEK ENDS. I SEE THAT SEVERAL E500 2004 OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM VIA AN ON LINE FORUM FOR 2004 E500. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS AT SENDING UNIT/PUMP AFTER FUELING UP VEHICLE. FUEL SITS ON TOP OF SENDING UNIT/PUMP UNTIL FUEL TANK REACHES APPROX 3/4 OF A TANK. VEHICLE HAD CAMPAIGN(RECALL) FOR FUEL SENDER CONDUCTED IN 2008 ACCORDING TO DEALER AND MB USA. HAVE CONTACTED BOTH ABOUT THE ISSUE AND NEITHER SAY THEY'VE HEARD OF A PROBLEM. DEALER SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT BUT WOULD CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. HAVE PICTURES OF FUEL ON OF SENDING UNIT/PUMP ALSO. AFTER FUELING VEHICLE THE VEHICLE CAN NOT BE STORED IN MY GARAGE DUE TO THE VAPOR FUMES FILLING MY GARAGE AND ALSO MY HOUSE. AFTER FUELING A STRONG SMELL OF GARAGE CAN BE SMELT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IN THE SUMMER MONTHS SMELT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AT TIMES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THERE WAS A FAILURE WITHIN THE SEAL OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.

2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE GAS TANK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER WHERE AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE FUMES WERE COMING FROM A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK, WHICH WAS A WELL- KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB

A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EMANATES FROM CAR AFTER FILLING IT UP WITH GASOLINE. HAD A MECHANIC TROUBLE SHOOT AND IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LEAK IN THE FUEL SENSOR WHICH WAS CAUSING GASOLINE TO PUDDLE ON TOP OF FUEL TANK UNDERNEATH THE BACK SEAT OF THE AUTOMOBILE. *KB

AFTER REFUELING THE CAR. STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS OR ABOUT 60 MILES. 2008 RECALL ON FUEL SYSTEM PERFORMED 2009/2010 AT MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO,TX. *TR

LEAK FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR WITH MANY COMPLAINTS TO THE NHTSA. MERCEDES WANTS CLOSE TO $2000 FOR REPAIR THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT INCLUDING FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNITS. AS MY CHILDREN'S CAR SEAT IS ABOVE THIS GAS LEAK, THIS POSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I STARTED SMELLING GAS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I WOULD HAVE JUST FILLED THE TANK. THIS SMELL WENT ON FOR YEARS, IT GOT ODOR GOT STRONGER AND STRONGER SO FINALLY I WENT AND GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT I NEED REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP AND SHOWED ME THE GASOLINE UNDER THE REAR SEAT (REAR DRIVER'S SIDE) THE AMOUNT OF GAS WAS SO GREAT THAT I CALLED AND ASKED MY REP AT MERCEDES IF THERE WAS INDEED A RECALL ON THE PART AND I ALSO TOLD HIM THAT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON IT , AND STILL HE SAID NO. SO I REPLACED THE PART ON MY OWN. NOW I AM SMELLING THE FUMES AGAIN, I TAKE IT THAT IT IS COMING FROM THE OTHER SIDE. I HAVE TO RIDE WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN AND/OR SUNROOF OPEN TO KEEP FROM GETTING THE HEAD-ACHES AGAIN. THIS HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS NOW . I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JAN. 2008. *TR

THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS IN THE CAR THAT ESPECIALLY OCCURRED AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG AFTER PARKING THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AFTER DRIVING. I THEN NOTICED SOME GAS SPILLING OUT OF THE CAR. I HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE OF CONCERNS OVER SAFETY. I SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH DIANA SANCHEZ WHO IS A CASE MANAGER AT MERCEDES BENZ USA (PH # 1-800-367-6372) . I ALSO SPOKE WITH ROMEY P. AT EXTENSION 7832. I ALSO HAD A 3RD CALL WITH DEBBIE WHO WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER LAST NAME. IN ALL MY DIRECT DISCUSSIONS WITH MERCEDES BENZ USA, THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE. THIS WAS SHOCKING GIVEN THE SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY LEAKING FUEL. I HAD READ ON-LINE ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS REPORTING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE E55. I GAVE ALL THIS INFORMATION TO MERCEDES BENZ. I ALSO SPOKE WITH EDDIE MCCRACKEN AT MERCEDES BENZ OF GEORGETOWN TEXAS, AND WHILE HE WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO REPAIR THE LEAKING FUEL TANK UNLESS I PAID FOR ALL THE WORK MYSELF PERSONALLY. HE DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF DEFECTS WITH THE GAS TANK DEALS. *TR

CONSTANT STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. OUTSIDE THE CAR AND INSIDE THE CAR COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT. *TR

FUEL SENDING UNITS CRACKED ON DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING GAS TO POOL ON TOP OF SENDERS....LITERALLY SIX INCHES FROM WHERE MY THREE YEAR OLD SITS IN THE CAR. FUEL IS POOLING ON TOP OF SENDER UNITS AND THEN DRAINING DOWN GAS TANK AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE CABIN OF VEHICLE INSIDE AND OUT SMELLS OF FUEL. *TR