2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

WE NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL ESPECIALLY RIGHT AFTER FUELING UP THE CAR. WE PARKED OUR CAR IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE SO THE ENTIRE GARAGE SMELLED OFF GAS. AS THE GAS LEVEL WAS REDUCED FROM OPERATING THE CAR THE GAS SMELL WENT AWAY. WHEN WE FILLED UP AGAIN THE GAS SMELL WAS BACK. WE MOVED AND HAD OUR CAR IN AN OPEN AIR PARKING STALL AND IT DIDN'T SEEM AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM. NOW WE HAVE AN ENCLOSED GARAGE AGAIN AND THE SMELL OF GAS IS VERY NOTICEABLE. AGAIN THE SMELL IS THE STRONGEST RIGHT AFTER FUELING. WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND SHUTOFF VALVE (REGENERATION VALVE AND PURGE VALVE) FOR A COST OF $700 BUT THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND EXHIBITING AN ABNORMALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE ODOR FILLED BOTH THE GARAGE AND THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FUEL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT A CASE MANAGER WOULD RETURN THE CONTACTS CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,716. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ UPDATED 08/03/11 UPDATED 2/29/12 *CN

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER FOR MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE PE12001 ANYTIME THE VEHICLE IS FILLED OVER 3/4 OF A TANK OF FUEL, A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT INSIDE OF THE CAR, OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, AND FUEL PUDDLES AROUND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT UNDER THE REAR SEAT. SOMETIMES THE SMELL IS SO STRONG, THAT MY FAMILY AND I FEAR THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE STRONG FUMES OF GAS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH I AM SURE IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, THAT MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT, AND THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF JUST AS THEY DID ON THE MORE RECENT CHASSIS HTTP://WWW.LEFTLANENEWS.COM/MERCEDES-RECALLS-5800-CARS-OVER-FIRE-HAZARD.HTML. *TR

STRONG GAS ODOR FROM LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA AFTER FILLING TANK FULLY. STOPS LEAKING FUEL WHEN TANK REACHES ABOUT 3/4 FULL. *JS

BOTH FUEL SENDING UNITS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS PUDDLING UNDER THE REAR SEATS AND WAS DRIPPING ON TO THE GROUND. BOTH SENDING UNITS WERE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND MERCEDES IS NOT COOPERATING WITH STARTING A RECALL PROCESS. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. *TR

FUEL SENDER UNIT LEAKED INTO THE TOP OF THE PUMP AREA CAUSING A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CAR. SENDER UNIT WAS REPAIRED BUT SMELL REMAINED. SENDER AND PUMP UNIT WERE REPLACED AND AFTER 14 MONTHS THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS BACK ALONG WITH POOLING ON THE TOP OF THE PUMP AREA. WHEN FILLING THE CAR AT THE GAS STATION THERE IS SOMETIMES A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS UNDER THE REAR FILLER AREA WHEN DONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BUT FAILED TO INDICATE IF THERE WERE ANY REQUIRED REPAIRS IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE BRAKE SENSOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES MAY LOCK AT ANY TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE SBC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

2004 MERCEDES E55 AMG LEAKING FUEL AFTER EVERY FILL. VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING UP (STOPPED FILL BEFORE CLICK). REPAIRED PASSENGER SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT UNDER BACK SEAT AT MB SERVICE BUT ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING AFTER REPAIR. DURING A 6 OR 7 MONTH PERIOD, MERCEDES HAS TRIED TO FIX ON 5 OCCASIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEY REPLACED ALL KINDS OF SENSORS IN THE ENGINE DEPT AND HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A MONTH BUT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE FUEL RELATED PARTS. THEY MISS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS. FINALLY MB DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE LATE 2010 AND REPLACED ONE OF THE SENDING UNITS, THE SENDING UNITS WERE ALSO REPLACED UNDER RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE IN JULY 2008. MB STATED THE CAR WAS NOW REPAIRED BUT AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE CAR HAS NOW FAILED AIR CARE, AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE. ALL ISSUES RELATE TO FUEL TANK, EVAP VALVE AND DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNITS. HESITATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ROUGH ENGINE OPERATION FUEL LEAKS AND SMELL. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, FUEL VAPORS ARE COMBUSTIBLE. NOW MERCEDES HAS WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THE ISSUE AND WE (CONSUMERS AND OWNERS OF E55 AMG'S) ARE LEFT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT OUR EXPENSE. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN #2008-020001 IN 2008 HAS RESULTED IN REPEATED FAILURES OF THE SENDING UNITS HOWEVER MERCEDES BENZ IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THERE ARE OVER 40 OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ON LINE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES. MB USA NEEDS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES FOR A FUEL CELL SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR COMBUSTIBLE FUEL VAPORS AND I PRAY IT DOES NOT HAPPEN BEFORE MB USA TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF OWNERS ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY 40 AT THIS POINT, THERE MAY BE MANY MORE OUT THERE WITH THE E-CLASS MB FUEL LEAK ISSUE. MB USA NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

MERCEDES 2004 E320 FUEL TANK LEAKING UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WHICH IS WORST RIGHT AFTER FILLUP, BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. *TR

AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT. YOU SMELL THE ODOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE GAS GOES BELOW ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK THE SMELL IS NO LONGER PRESENT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE,BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAS GREATER WHEN APPLIED TO STOP CAR. VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATIONAL AFTER CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. SBC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BY MERCEDES DEALER,BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE PRESSURE RESERVOIR THAT ALSO MALFUNCTIONED WITH BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 MB E320 TO THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE THE ENGINE STALLED. I WAS PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT AT THE TIME THAT TURNED GREEN BEFORE I STOPPED. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO GO, THERE WAS NO POWER. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAT FOR SEVERAL HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE LOCAL GARAGE SAID I WAS OUT OF GAS, PUT TEN DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS IN IT, CHARGED ME $60.00 AND SAID THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE. THE NEXT TIME MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR OUT, IT STALLED AGAIN IN NEARLY THE SAME PLACE. SHE WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE AS I WAS AND WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO OUR HOUSE AND I LOOKED UP THE SYMPTOMS ON THE INTERNET. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR A FEW DAYS, I TURNED THE CAR ON AND LET IT IDLE. AFTER THE CAR REACHED ABOUT 75 - 80 DEGREES, IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. IT TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR (CPS) THAT WENT BAD. I BOUGHT ONE, LEARNED HOW TO REPLACE IT AND THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE. THE SAFETY CONCERN HERE IS THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF!! THERE IS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER! THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE AIR STRUT SUDDENLY EXPLODED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE FENDER WALL. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE WARNING LIGHT "BRAKE FAILURE AND ESP FAILURE" WERE DISPLAYED AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BY DOWNSHIFTING AND ENGAGING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT STATED THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS PERFORMING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO VIEWED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS VIA THE INTERNET REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL BUT WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A SMELL OF GAS. IT WAS DETERMINED THE GAS TANK WAS CRACKED. ALSO, THE FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/24/11

NOTICED STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR THIS AS I REMEMBER THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME. *TR

VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. TECHNICIAN INSPECTED FUEL SENDING UNIT(S). LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE CABIN. LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND SEAL ON RIGHT SIDE UNIT WAS REPLACED. *TR

OEM BRAKES

AFTER FILLING THE CAR UP THERE WAS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WAS SO STRONG THAT WE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO HELP THE SMELL GO AWAY BUT IT WAS STILL VERY STRONG. AFTER DRIVING HOME AND PARKING THE CAR (2 MILE TRIP HOME) THERE WAS A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE DRIVEWAY FLOOR ABOUT 2-3 HOURS AFTER PARKING THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY AND WAS TOLD THE THERE WAS GAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL PUMP AND THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. THEY REPLACE THE O-RING AND A COUPLE OF FUEL LINES AND SAID THAT I MAY NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK,PUMPS AND 2 OF THE FUEL LINES REPLACED IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY KNOW THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE OUT OF POCKET AND THE COST WOULD BE $2500-$3000. HOW IS A FUEL LEAK THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT FROM MERCEDES AND HAS AFFECTED 1000'S OF VEHICLES NOT A RECALL? I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND HAVE FOUND MANY CLAIMS OF THIS ON MERCEDES FORUM'S SO THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES AMG E55. I PURCHASED THE CAR SECOND HAND FROM MY NEIGHBOR AT +/-33,000 MILES. ONE WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD ACCESS TO A OBD2 SCANNER AND GOT THE CODE FOR EVAP ERROR. I STORED THE CAR OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE AND WOKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING WHERE THE WHOLE HOUSE REEKED OF FUEL. I HAD RECENTLY FILLED UP THE NIGHT BEFORE. BEING FAMILIAR WITH THIS MERCEDES VEHICLE I WENT OVER THE FUEL SYSTEM FROM GAS SPOUT TO GAS TANK. THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR UNDER THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER SEAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF THE SEAT,ACCESS PANEL. I COULD SEE GASOLINE PUDDLING UP ON TOP OF THE FUEL SENDER. I GOT SOME PAPER TOWELS AND DRIED IT. THAT MORNING I BOUGHT A NEW GASKET SEAL FROM THE DEALER TO TRY AND ISOLATE THE PROBLEM. THAT DID NOT HELP...NEXT GAS FILL UP THE CAR CONTINUE TO SMELL LIKE FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. I TOOK IT TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE SMOKE TEST TO SEE WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK WHERE IT MET THE FUEL SENDER. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER, I'VE BEEN TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK, FUEL PUMP, FUEL SENDER AND FITTINGS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WANTS ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET THE ENTIRE COST WHICH IS ABOUT $3,000. THERE STILL IS A EMISSIONS WARRANTY ON THE CAR WHICH IS GOOD UP TO 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES WHICH THEY WILL NOT HONOR AS THEY FEEL THIS ISSUE DOESN'T QUALIFY. THEY HAVE JUST LAUGHED AT THE SITUATION AND TRIED TO DOWNPLAY IT. A LOT OF CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO COVER THIS REPAIR AS THEY TRANSPORT THEIR KIDS IN THIS CAR AND THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER LEAKING, I ONLY FILL MY CAR WITH GAS HALFWAY AND HAVE RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH MY SCANNER. THANK YOU. *TR

I STARTING SMELLING A GASSY SMELL SEEPING INTO MY HOUSE AT NIGHT AND AFTER A FEW DAYS CONCLUDED IN HAD TO BE COMING FROM THE ATTACHED GARAGE AND SUBSEQUENTLY AFTER ELIMINATING ALL OTHER VARIABLES I NARROWED IT DOWN TO THE CAR. I PARKED IT OUTSIDE FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AND THE SMELL CEASED IN THE HOUSE AND GARAGE. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO POMPANO MERCEDES TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OUT AND WAS INFORMED MY SEALS WERE BAD/LEAKING AT THE FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS, SO WITHOUT A CHOICE I HAD THEM REPAIRED AT A COST OF $968.21 ON 9/13/2010. THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THEN THE GASSY SMELL RETURNED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO POMPANO MERCEDES AGAIN AND EXPLAINED THAT I HAD THE CAR HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF A GASSY SMELL. THEY CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED ME AT THIS TIME I HAD A DIFFERENT FUEL LEAK AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK AND INTERNAL FUEL PUMPS AND SEALS AT A COST OF $3000 THIS TIME. QUITE UNHAPPY WITH THIS DIAGNOSIS CONSIDERING I WAS JUST THERE 2 MONTHS PRIOR AND THOUGHT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND OUT NOW IT WAS MORE ENCOMPASSING THAN THEIR FIRST ATTEMPT AT A FIX AND IT WAS GOING TO COST A BOATLOAD OF MONEY TO RE-REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS I WAS JUST OVER THE 50K WARRANTY TO BOOT. WITH THE NEWS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SETTLEMENT AT THIS TIME I STRONGLY FEEL MY VEHICLE ISSUES ARE AS DESCRIBED IN THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AND I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $968.21 I SPENT AT MERCEDES DISCRETION. *TR

THE INSIDE DOOR LOCK STEMS KEEP BREAKING OFF. I HAVE REPLACED THEM WITH NON MERCEDES PARTS. THE ONES I PURCHASED DON'T FIT VERY WELL BUT THE ONES FROM MERCEDES DON'T HOLD UP. THEY KEEP BREAKING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BAD WIRE CONNECTION. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE ENTIRE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE WITHOUT INCIDENT AND UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A TOW TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000. UPDATED 12/10/10 *BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE. IT WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. UPDATED 12/27/10 THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE NOT RESPOND. THE CONSUMER THEN DECIDED TO USE THE COMBINATION OF THE FOOT BRAKE AND THE HILL WHICH BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. UPDATED 01/31/11

FUEL TANK LEAKS FUEL ONTO THE GROUND VIA THE EXTERNAL INTER TANK TRANSFER HOSE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK. TO REPAIR THIS MERCEDES HAS TO REPLACE THE TANK WHICH REQUIRES A COMPLETE TEARDOWN OF THE REAR SUSPENSION AND REAR SUBFRAME. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE 5 TIMES, ANY TIME THE TANK WAS GREATER THAN HALF FULL IT WOULD LEAK A SIGNIFICANT (A PUDDLE FORMED) AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. MERCEDES BENZ DID NOT WARRANTY THIS ISSUE STATING THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ISSUE AND IT WAS A ONE TIME THING, EVEN THOUGH THEY "REPAIRED" IT FIVE TIMES. *TR

I HAD A MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS RECALL TO REPLACE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT DONE IN 2008 AND A YEAR AND A HALF LATER I STARTED SMELLING GAS INSIDE MY CAR EACH TIME I FILLED UP THE TANK. I IGNORED IT IN THE BEGINNING BUT AFTER A WHILE I GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I WAS SURE IT WAS RELATED TO THE GAS SMELL SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY SAID THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY FOR A COST OF $1200 PLUS LABOR (UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY). I KNOW A CAR MECHANIC IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO DEALS WITH QUITE A LOT OF HIGH END CARS AND CHARGES LESS THAN A THIRD OF WHAT THE DEALER DOES, SO RIGHT AWAY I PICKED UP MY CAR, BOUGHT AN O-RING FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FROM THE DEALER'S PARTS STORE (THANKS TO THE RESEARCH I DID IN A MERCEDES FORUM), AND HAD IT REPLACED BY THE LOCAL MECHANIC I KNOW FOR $50. EVER SINCE, NO MORE LEAKS FOR NOW, BUT I DO THINK THIS IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AND IT MAY START LEAKING AGAIN AFTER THE SENDING UNIT'S FUEL CAP OR ITS O-RING STARTS MELTING AGAIN FROM OVERHEATING LIKE SOME OTHER MEMBERS IN THE FORUM MENTIONED. THIS MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE CAR AND DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP LOOSING HIS/HER LIFE. *TR

CONSTANT FUEL LEAK, WITH FUEL VAPORS THAT CAN BE SMELLED OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE LEAK IS WORSE AFTER FUELING THE CAR. THERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. *JS

THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAS FAILED 3 TIMES - FIRST IN MARCH 2010, THEN APRIL 2010, AND NOW MAY 2010. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE FIRST 2 INCIDENTS. THE FIRST TIME, THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED, THE SECOND TIME IT WAS SLIGHTLY LOW, AND THEN WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DROPPED AND THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. IT IS NOW DROPPING ON THE RIGHT AGAIN, AND PULLS STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT. SERVICE WAS COMPLETED AT THE DEALER. EVEN THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE SYSTEM FAILS, AND FAILS IN A MANNER IN WHICH THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS LIKELY TO GO IN A CHAIN REACTION FASHION. *TR

AFTER THE 2008 RECALL ON MERCEDES FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, I HAVE REPLACED THEM 2 TIMES. AS OF FEB 2014 THEY ARE LEAKING AGAIN, MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT THE FUMES AFTER REPAIRING THE CAR STILL COME BACK, CAUSE MY WIFE TO BE SICK AND AFTER HAVING CANCER SHE HAS NOT ABLE TO USE THE CAR UNLESS WE AIR IT OUT 2-3 DAYS BEFORE. AFTER EACH REPLACING THE PUMPS LOOK BURNED, AND MERCEDES HAS NOT GIVEN US REASON WHY THIS PROBLEM EXIST OR SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR ONCE THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE FUEL TANK BEING CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RELEASE A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEN ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,523 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,190.

MY 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-320 BEGAN EMITTING A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN 2010 AND WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (SCHUMACHER MERCEDES IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA) FOR INSPECTION WHEN IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE LEFT SENDER PRESSURE SENSOR AND TANK FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES AT THIS TIME AND WAS OUTSIDE OF THE INITIAL WARRANTY SO THE $2,500 REPAIR WAS UNDERTAKEN. APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER AND 40,000 MILES LATER, THE SAME SYMPTOMS RETURNED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED ONCE AGAIN THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING AND THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS WERE LEAKING FUEL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,200 AND THIS TIME THE REPAIR WAS REJECTED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THE VEHICLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP SINCE THE BEGINNING AND APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ISSUED THAT WE WERE AWARE OF FOR THESE MALFUNCTIONS AND DEFECTS. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION ONLY TO DETERMINE THAT THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES BUT NEITHER PARTY WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT AND NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WOULD BE AVAILABLE OR COMMISSIONED FOR ME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A COMMON ISSUE OR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR ANY CAR, LET ALONE A MERCEDES BENZ. IF SOMETHING DOES NOT GET RECTIFIED WITH THIS EPIDEMIC MALFUNCTION OF THESE VEHICLES, IT COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH. *TR

FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK. TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED ON MY 2004 MERCEDES E320 WAGON WHICH ONLY HAD 85K MILES. IF IT HAD FAILED AND JUST WOULD NOT WORK, THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SUCH AN ISSUE, HOWEVER, WHEN IT FAILED IT LEFT THE ENGINE ON REQUIRING ME TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO GET THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. STEPS TO REPRODUCE: 1) PUT ELECTRONIC KEY IN CAR 2) TURN KEY TO FULLY ON AND START CAR 3) TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION AND REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION ENTIRELY NOTE CAR IS STILL ON AND WILL NOT SHUT OFF EVEN AFTER AN HOUR. *TR

2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR REPAIRS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN LATE 2009. HE EXPERIENCED A GAS SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE THE SMELL BECAME WORSE AND EVENTUALLY WAS NOTICEABLE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, TOO/ THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. A LEAK WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE SEAL RINGS FOR THE FUEL LEVEL SENDERS, FUEL PUMP, FILTER ASSEMBLY AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FUEL LEAK. *JB

THE SAFETY FAILURE IS THE MY TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR HAS REMAINED IN DRIVE. PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR ONLY REVS THE ENGINE AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY ACCELERATION. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO DO SO OR NOT AS I HAVE NO ABILITY TO MAINTAIN OR INCREASE MY SPEED TO SAFELY PULL OVER. AFTER STOPPING, I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE BEFORE I CAN THEN GET THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND IS INCREASING IN FREQUENCY (TWICE IN 1 WEEK). THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS INCLUDING SEVERAL TIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE 13 PIN CONNECTOR AT THE TRANSMISSION HAS A SEAL THAT IS LEAKING. THIS HAS CAUSED A NEED FOR THE FOLLOWING TO BE REPLACED: EECTR-HYDRAULIC VALVE BODY, WIRE HARNESS TRANSMISSION, TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, TRANS SERVICE W/13 PIN CONNECTOR FOR A TOTAL OF $6,164. I HAVE FOUND THAT MERCEDES ISSUED A STAR BULLETIN (DTB) DETAILING THIS BAD SEAL AT THE 13 PIN CONNECTOR. I HAVE ALSO FOUND INFORMATION THAT THE 3RD GENERATION OF THIS SEAL NO LONGER HAS THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THE REPAIRS PERFORMED AT THIS TIME. *TR

BENZ E500 2004 (54K MILES) SAFETY ISSUE1: NOV 2008(36K MILES), THE CAR USED TO LOSE POWER AND SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING WITH ALL THE LIGHTS BLINKING ON THE DASH BOARD. BUT I WAS ABLE TO BREAK ANSDSTOP . SOMETIMES IT STARTED BACK ON AND SOMETIMES IT DID NOT.DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE SENDER UNIT. HAD TO PAY THE BILL OF $600 PLUS TOWING. THEY DID NOT INSPECT OTHER SAFETY ISSUES LIKE THE SBC PUMP OR LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY. NEITHER DID THEY TELL ME IF SBC PUMP FAILURE OR ITS MALFUNCTION HAS ANY IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. SAFETY ISSUE 2: JAN 6TH 2015.(REFER TO COMPLAINT #10676289)SBC PUMP FAILED DURING A LONG ROAD TRIP AND THINKING IT WAS JUST BRAKE PADS, COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. DEALER/MB REFUSED ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRS. COST US $2200. WHEN THE DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE SBC PUMP BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY KNOW IT IS GOING TO FAIL, CUSTOMER IS IN A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION WITH SAFETY ASPECT, HUGE REPAIR COSTS INVOLVED AND POSSIBLE IMPACT ON OTHER PARTS AND SITUATIONS. THEY DESIGNED A WARRANTY ON THIS PROGRAMMABLE UNIT THAT IS PROGRAMMED TO LEND CERTAIN CYCLES OR SERVICE. MERCEDES BENZ HAS TURNED THIS MAJOR DEFECT INTO A MONEY MAKING OPPORTUNITY LATELY. THEY ARE INSTALLING REMAN UNITS WITH A HIGH REPAIR COST OF $2000-3000. SOMETIMES, MORE THAN THE WORTH OF THE CAR. REGULATORS SHOULD REVISIT THE CASE AND HAVE THEM PROVIDE LIFE TIME WARRANTY ON THIS MAJOR FLAW AND MAYBE MORE. WHEN THERE WERE TWO RECALLS JUST A YEAR AFTER IT WAS BOUGHT, HOW CAN THEY GET AWAY WITH A 10 YEAR WARRANTY AND A HUGE REPAIR COST. SINCE THEY HAVE MORE LAWYERS THAN ANY COMMON MAN, ONLY REGULATORS CAN HELP THE CITIZENS AND PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS AND SAFETY. *TR

E500 4MATIC SUSPENSION FAILURE - FRONT AIRMATIC SUSPENSION COLLASPED. CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. *TR

MY INSIDE DOOR LOCK STEMS ON MY CAR KEEP BREAKING OFF AND IN AN EMERGENCY, I'M AFRAID THAT THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THREE OF THEM TO BREAK OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT'S A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320 AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO KEEP PURCHASING THEM OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I PERSONALLY KNOW SOMEONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 2008 MERCEDES C350, IS ANYONE COMPLAINING? I'M USUALLY ALONE IN MY CAR SO THERE ISN'T ANYONE/KIDS BREAKING THEM OFF. WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING? I'M SENDING YOU THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I JUST DISCOVERED ANOTHER BROKEN ONE LAST WEEK. *TR

(NHTSA ACTION# PE12001) FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND FROM FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY DUE TO CRACKING FLANGE ASSEMBLY. *TR

WHEN TRAVELING OVER BUMPY ROADS THERE IS A LARGE THUMPING AND CRASHING NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND OCCASIONALLY FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. TAKEN TO DEALERS TWICE AND EXPLAINED IN DETAIL WHAT IS HAPPENING. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, EVERYTHING IS TO SPECIFICATION AND THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE NOISE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING A 2004 MB E-320 ON THE ROAD, SUDDENLY THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE ALL LIT UP AND THEN I LOST POWER TO THE CAR. I MADE MY WAY TO THE CURB ALONG INDUSTRIAL BLVD NEAR WEST SACRAMENTO. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MB SACRAMENTO DEALERSHIP. A QUICK SCAN FOUND A FAULT CODE. IT WAS THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. *TR

GAS LEAK IN CABIN AREA UNDER REAR SEAT BEHIND DRIVER. I REMOVED THE SEAT AND SAW A COLLECTION OF FUEL ACCUMATE ON TOP OF THE FUEL SENDER UNIT AND SMELLS WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL. HOWEVER, THE SMELL DISAPPEARS AS GAS IS USED UP. I TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER UNDER MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THIS IS MAJOR DEFECT AND WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET SEVERAL FOLKS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP WITH GETTING THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THIS SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR HAZARD THE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE EXPLOSION... *TR

WE HAD NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN OUR GARAGE EACH MORNING JUST AFTER WE HAD FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS. WE TOOK THE MB TO MYERSTAR MERCEDES, THEY FOUND CRACK IN THE UPPER MIDDLE FRONT OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THIS DEFECT SHOULD NEVER HAVE OCCURRED IN A VEHICLE THAT'S ONLY FIVE YEARS OLD WITH 45,000 MILES. THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION AND FIRE IN OUR GARAGE. *TR COPY OF MOVIE.WMV UPDATED 05/02/11 *BF UPDATED 12/29/11 *CN

THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL FOLLOWING A TANK FILL THAT FILLS THE GARAGE WITH GASOLINE FUMES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 5 YEARS. I ENTERED 1/1/2009 ON THE FORM DATA AS AN APPROXIMATE BEGIN DATE. THE FUEL SMELL CAN BE DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE AT TIMES, BUT IS EXTREMELY STRONG IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILL-UP. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL MERCEDES E CLASS MODELS FROM 2003-2009. I HAVE ASKED CONTINUALLY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT THE MERCEDES DEALER, NOW MERCEDES OF NATICK, FORMERLY FOREIGN MOTORS WEST IN NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS. SERVICE PERSONNEL HAVE DENIED THAT THERE WAS/IS ANY PATTERN OR PROBLEM AND INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM SEEMED TO AFFECT MY CAR ONLY. ONLY RECENTLY HAVE THEY INDICATED THAT AT TIMES THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND BOTH SENDING UNITS AT AN OUT OF POCKET COST OF $850 -$2000. ALL THIS FOR A PROBLEM THAT CURRENT RESEARCH INDICATES THAT MERCEDES HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR MORE THAN 7 YEARS. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN TEXAS IN 2012 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THIS REPAIR, BUT DID INDICATE THAT AFTER I PAID FOR THE REPAIR, THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ FOR ASSISTANCE. WHILE NICE, THIS STILL PUTS THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON ME WITH ONLY A HOPE THAT ASSISTANCE WOULD COME LATER. SO FAR I HAVE DECLINED THE REPAIR. WHILE SOME VEHICLES WERE INCLUDED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL IN 2008, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. IN FACT, I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY MERCEDES BENZ FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLY 2 WEEKS AGO, LATE JUNE 2014, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO FACTORY REPAIR CAMPAIGN OR RECALL AT THIS TIME. THIS MORNING I REMOVED THE BENCH PORTION OF THE REAR SEAT, FOLDED BACK THE INSULATING PAD AND REMOVED THE METAL ACCESS PLATE FOR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING/FUEL PUMP UNIT. GAS WAS VISIBLE. *TR

I HAVE 2004 E320 MERCEDES STATION WAGON. THE MANUAL TAILGATE WON'T STAY UP AND CLOSES ON YOUR HEAD. A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN IN THE CARS OF TODAY. *TR

MERCEDES BENZ AIRMATIC RIDE HEIGHT SYSTEM IS FAULTY. I HAVE RESEARCH SEVERAL FORUMS AND NOTICED A CONTINUOUS OF AIR STRUT FAILURE ON VEHICLES UNDER 50,000 MILES. THE PARTS TO REPAIR THIS FAULT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED AT A MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. ONE AIR STRUT COSTS AROUND $1500.00 AND USUALLY A COMPRESSOR MUST ALSO BE REPLACE FOR AROUND $500.00. *TR

MY CAR BATTERY KEPT DYEING AND ALL OF THE SPEAKERS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS NOT WORKING. IN FACT WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF THOSE SPEAKERS WOULD MAKE STATIC NOISES. I HAD AN ELECTRONIC AUTO STORE LOOK AT THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN THEY POSED THE QUESTION TO THEIR ONLINE SITE, THE ANSWER CAME BACK AS THE "AUDIO GATEWAY" BEING DEFECTIVE. THEY WERE OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALER, TOLD THEM OF THE BATTERY DYEING PROBLEM AND THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THE SAME, "AUDIO GATEWAY". I PAID THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY STATED THAT REPLACED THE PART. THE TOTAL COST WAS APPROX. $1,258.00, WHICH INCLUDED LABOR. *TR

DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND START DECELERATING TO TURN AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR OR TO FIRST GEAR THE INITIAL TIME. I HAD TO PULL OVER, CUT THE CAR OFF COMPLETELY AND THEN RE-START THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO SHIFT CORRECTLY. WENT ABOUT A MONTH AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT I HAD DONE SOMETHING, BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN LIKE ONCE A WEEK AND THEN DAILY. I WAS TRAVELING AT ONE TIME ON I-64 AND DECELERATED A BIT TO GO THROUGH THE HAMPTON TUNNEL AND REALIZED THAT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AS I WAS ACCELERATING AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. ONCE AGAIN, I HAD TO PULL OVER, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO RESET. IT ALSO HAPPENED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ONE TIME WHILE MY SON AND I WERE RIDING WE ACTUALLY FELT THE CAR JOLT AS IT SHIFTED OUT OF THE PROPER GEAR. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON BUSY RT. 29 RIGHT AT RUSH HOUR. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED GREEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AND ALL I COULD HEAR WAS THE ENGINE REVVING. I TRIED THE USUAL, CUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING IT, BUT THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T RESET ITSELF AT ALL AND I ENDED UP GETTING TOWED TO A SHOP. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED. THE CAR WILL GO WHEN IT HAPPENS, BUT IT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR AT ALL. I JUST LOOKED AT A COUPLE SITES ONLINE AND SEE WHERE AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THE ALLWORLDAUTO.COM WEBSITE, FOR TRANSMISSIONS DOWNSHIFTING FOR THE MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS. *TR

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER EACH COMPLETE FILL-UP. THIS VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN THE GARAGE.AND ODOR LINGERS FOR SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWING EACH FILL-UP. I HAVE CHANGED THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.NO SMELL IF I FILL-UP TO NO MORE THAN 80% OF THE TANK CAPACITY. DATE AND MILEAGE ARE OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE ARE AS SHOWN ARE ONLY AN ESTIMATE. *TR

I OWN A MERCEDES-BENZ E500 BOUGHT NEW IN 2004. 3 DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR AND CAR STALLED AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING. I COULD NOT START THE ENGINE BACK FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND ME, WHICH WOULD HAVE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. I LATER TOWED THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES SERVICE STATION. THEY REPORTED IT AS AN ELECTIRCAL FAILURE DUE TO FAILING OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FAULTY SENSOR AND THE CAR IS RUNNING OK NOW. I AM STILL WONDERING WHY DID THE CAR COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AND DID NOT ALLOW ME TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE BACKUP SAFETY MECHANISM IN A FAILURE LIKE THIS TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I AM WORRIED WHETHER THERE IS A DESIGN FAULT IN THIS VEHICLE THAT DID NOT ALLOW THAT BACK UP MECHANISM TO KICK-IN. MY SERVICE ADVISOR SAYS THIS FAULT IS UNLIKELY TO RECUR. I FEEL THAT THE SENSORS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A SAFETY MECHANISM TO AVOID ABRRUPT STOPS LIKE THIS. IF I WAS ON A FREE WAY THIS WOULD HAVE CREATED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH SO MANY VEHICLES PILED UP ON TOP OF ME! MY CAR HAS DONE ONLY 40,000 MILES WITHIN THE LAST 4 YEARS. IT HAS NEW TIRES, A NEW BATTERY AND NEW BRAKES -ALL TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MERCEDES DEALER AT MY LAST SERVICE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO.

HEAVY FUEL FUMES EMANATING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER STATES FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAS TANK REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. *TR