2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

DRIVING ON STREET--INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS UP RED SAYING "CHECK FUEL TANK CAP"--DRIVE TO PARK TURN OFF ENGINE--CHECK FUEL CAP -CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON-- SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED 5 DAYS LATER. *TR

THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. I TRIED TO RESTART, BUT IT DID NOT. HOWEVER, IT WOULD START AGAIN, AFTER 5 MINUTES. THESE EVENTS HAVE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES; IT BECAME DANGEROUS. ENGINE PROBLEMS DUE TO CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE. *TR

WHEN I FILL UP, I THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FROM OUTSIDE MY CAR, IN THE BACK SEAT AND I CAN SMELL IT WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED IN MY 2 CAR GARAGE. *JS

AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 PM ON MAY 14TH, 2014 I NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR SURROUNDING MY ENTIRE VEHICLE UPON EXITING THE CABIN. I HAD JUST REFUELED AND WAS STOPPING AT A GROCERY STORE ON THE WAY HOME. I DID A QUICK VISUAL AND SNIFF CHECK AROUND THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SMELL WAS STRONGEST IN THE VICINITY OF THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL ARCH. ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AND THE ODOR WAS NOTICEABLY STRONGER. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE WAS NOW AN APPROXIMATELY 2 FOOT BY 3 FOOT POOL OF GASOLINE ON THE GROUND ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE. FURTHERMORE, GASOLINE FUMES COULD NOW BE SMELLED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS WELL. I HAD MY WIFE MOVE THE CAR OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND COULD CLEARLY SEE A TRAIL OF GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I WAS PREVIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS AS A POTENTIAL ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THIS ON MY OWN VEHICLE UNTIL NOW. I KNEW BETTER THAN TO TOP OFF PAST THE AUTOMATIC PUMP SHUTOFF - AND I IN FACT DID NOT TOP OFF - AND THIS IS NOT A CASE OF FUEL SPRAYING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THERE IS A REASON THAT WOULD CAUSE SUCH A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL TO BE LEAKING FROM THESE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEMS. I'VE HAD COUNTLESS CARS IN MY LIFE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER FOR MY VEHICLE SHOWING AN ORIGINAL COST OF CLOSE TO $90,000. TO HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS LEAKING LIKE THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE - NOT TO MENTION POTENTIALLY DEADLY. I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ STATES THERE IS NOT ANY DANGER OF IGNITION, BUT WHAT IF THE IGNITION SOURCE COMES FROM SOME OTHER SOURCE UNRELATED TO THE VEHICLE SUCH AS A DISCARDED CIGARETTE OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF SPARK? ARE WE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE DIE IN ORDER TO GET MERCEDES BENZ TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PRODUCT FLAW? *TR

I STARTED SMELLING A FUEL ODOR FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS NOW. MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO CHARGES. I TOOK MY REAR SEAT OUT TO FIND A HUGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER IT. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FITTING WAS SNAPPED. (I THINK THERE IS A GROUP OF US HAVING THIS SAME COMPLAINT FOR MANY YEARS NOW). *TR

EACH TIME I FILL OUT THE TANK, IT GIVES SUCH A HORRIBLE FUMES SMELL INSIDE MY CAR. *TR

WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND CAR STOPPED AND IDLING CAR ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 20 MINUTES. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF UNBURNT FUEL COMING FROM MY CAR AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. I CAN'T TELL AT THIS POINT WHERE EXACTLY THE SMELL IS COMING FROM. I DO NOT SEE A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG; I CAN SMELL IT THROUGHOUT MY WHOLE 2 CAR GARAGE. I AM VERY WORRIED WHAT PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS FAILED. *JS

WHEN FILLED UP THE GAS TANK WITH GAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS WILL BE SMELLED EVERY TIME WHEN PARKED. ALSO, IN OUR HOUSE GARAGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER REFUELING TO CAPACITY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DETECT A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,954 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 67,956.

WE OWN A 2005 E350 MERCEDES WITH ONLY 83,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR FOR THE ENTIRE TIME WE HAVE OWNED IT. A MONTH AGO WE NOTICED A SMELL IN THE GARAGE AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AFTER FILLING THE TANK SO WE TOOK THE CAR INTO MERCEDES OF CINTI ON MONTGOMERY ROAD ON APRIL 2, 2014. (THIS IS WHERE OUR CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT) THEY FLIPPED UP THE BACK SEAT AND PULLED UP THE BLACK LINER AND WE COULD SEE THAT THERE WAS GAS IN THE CAR. THAT WAS SCARY TO ACTUALLY SEE GAS WAS MOVING AROUND INSIDE OUR CAR JUST UNDER WHERE PEOPLE WOULD BE SEATED. MERCEDES SAID IT WAS DUE TO A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. IN TOTAL, WE PAID $2073.21 TO REPAIR IT. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON APRIL 4, 2014. WE THEN GOOGLED MERCEDES GAS LEAKS AND FOUND THERE WAS A ASSOCIATED PRESS ARTICLE ON THIS IN MARCH 2013, OTHER BLOGS AND YOUR ARTICLE. MY HUSBAND CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THESE ARTICLES. MY HUSBAND WAS REFERRED TO A CORPORATE MAN AT MERCEDES, WHOSE NAME WAS SIMON. AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH, THEY SENT US A CHECK FOR $1,573.21, THUS WE STILL HAD TO PAY $500 FOR THE FAULTY TANK. WE WANTED OUR GAS LEAK TO BE INCLUDED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION. WE FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO US. I KNOW MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HIRED A LAW FIRM TO DEFEND THEM. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD THAT THE STATEMENT BY THE MERCEDES ATTORNEY DOES NOT DENY THE PROBLEM. THEY ACTUALLY ADMIT IT EXISTS BUT SAY IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. GAS LEAK NOT A PROBLEM, GO FIGURE. ...UPDATED 09-05-14 *BF UPDATED 09/15/2014 *JS *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,959. UPDATED 07/16/14 MA UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

UPON REFUELING THIS 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500 VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, WITHIN AN HOUR THE CAR EXHIBITS GASOLINE ODORS EMITTING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS WELL AS STRONG GASOLINE ODOR FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS LASTS UNTIL THE GAS INDICATOR SHOWS ROUGHLY 50% TO 60% OF FUEL REMAINING. WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 AS WELL WITH A THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, WE ENDED UP TRADING THAT CAR IN ON MARCH 23, 2011. I FOUND THIS ON YOUR WEBSITE DESCRIBING THE CONDITION MY CAR IS IN. DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: MAR 15, 2013 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: OPEN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY INDICATE THAT THERE WAS NO FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR AND FLOATER HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED ABOUT THE FAILURE BUT DECLINED TO PROVIDE THE CONTACT ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING THE CAR WITH A NEARLY FULL TANK OF GAS. I REMOVED THE ACCESS PANEL BENEATH THE REAR SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND DISCOVERED FUEL COLLECTING IN THE WELL AROUND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS/30,000 MILES THAT I HAVE HAD THIS FUEL LEAK. THE FIRST LEAK WAS REPAIRED 3 YEARS AGO BY REPLACING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WITH A MERCEDES OEM UNIT. CLEARLY, MERCEDES HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PART/MATERIALS RELIABILITY ISSUE THAT SO MANY OWNERS OF THE W211 E-CLASS ARE EXPERIENCING. I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE AND A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE MODEL IS WARRANTED. THIS VERY WELL MAY BE THE LAST MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLE THAT I EVER PURCHASE. PHOTOS OF THE LEAKING FUEL SENDER CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, IN WHICH THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY SHIFT SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

I HAVE A TERRIBLE ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM INSIDE MY MERCEDES E500 4MATIC WAGON ESPECIALLY AFTER I FILL THE TANK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AFTER THE TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

FILLED FUEL TANK , CAME HOME ,PARKED IN GARAGE AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. FUEL WAS LEAKING ON FLOOR AND I HAVE TO LEAVE IT OUTSIDE NOW. *TR

FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN SMELLING A STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR/GARAGE AFTER FILLING IT UP. I HAD BEEN PUTTING IT OFF AS NO BIG DEAL, BUT TODAY MY WHOLE HOUSE SMELLED LIKE GAS AFTER I FILLED THE TANK LAST NIGHT AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. WE HAD TO CLEAR THE HOUSE THINKING WE HAD SOME GAS LEAK BEFORE I REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM THE CAR. I HAVE READ THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS CAR AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS STARTED LAST YEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION AS I ASSUME IT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. I'M AFRAID TO GO TO THE DEALER CAUSE I KNOW THEY WILL PROBABLY SAY TO REPLACE THE TANK OR SENSOR OR BOTH, ALL WHICH COULD LEAD INTO A SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR REPAIR. BUT BECAUSE I AM SEEING THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND AN INVESTIGATION IS GOING ON, THERE MUST BE SOMETHING I CAN DO TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *TR

DEAR SIR OR MADAM, EVERY TIME WE FUELED UP OUR VEHICLE WE NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE OUR GARAGE AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE CABIN. WE HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY RECALL CONCERNING THE GAS LEAK DEFECT IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE BUT THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALL IN EFFECT. WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE FOR OUR FAMILY (MAY CAUSE FIRE IN THE CABIN, ETC.) SO WE ARE REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE OUR CAR HAS RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE AND WE HAVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH MUCH HIGHER MILEAGE BUT WE DID NOT EXPERIENCE WITH THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE TIME! *TR

ON 02/24/2014 THE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CODE WAS PULLED THAT INFORMED THAT THE CAR HAD A LEAK SOME WHERE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE UPPER FUEL TANK UNDER THE BACK SEAT, AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPORT SAID: TO REPLACE CRACKED FUEL TANK EVAPORATION SYSTEM HAS A LEAK. THE REPAIR WOULD BE $2100.00 TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. *TR

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2005 MERCEDES E320 WITH 126.3K MILES. AT TIME OF TRANSACTION, CAR HAD HALF A TANK OF FUEL ONLY. COUPLE DAYS LATER, WHEN I WENT TO REFUEL, I FILLED UP TANK ALL THE WAY TO TOP, I DROVE HOME AND AS SOON AS I EXITED CAR, I COULD SMELL A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE CAR AND INSIDE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. I INSPECTED THE CAR AND AFTER LIFTING REAR SEAT CUSHION, I OPENED THE COVERS TO GAS TANK TO FIND THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, DRIVER'S SIDE, ABOUT 1-2 OUNCES OF FUEL. TODAY I PURCHASED AN UPDATED NEW FUEL SENDING UNIT FROM MB DEALER AND WILL NEED TO GET IT INSTALLED. WHEN TANK IS THREE QUARTER FULL OR LESS, YOU DON'T SMELL THE ODOR AND NO SIGN OF LEAK IS PRESENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MERCEDES E-CLASS. I'VE LEARNED THIS THRU MY MOST RECENT ONLINE SEARCH. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN MERCEDES BENZ FOR THIS POOR MANUFACTURING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING UP TANK AT GAS STATION. FUEL PUMPS AND SENDERS LOCATED UNDER REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THERE ARE 2 OF THESE PUMPS ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER REMOVING THE REAR SEAT BOTTOM ACCESS IS GAINED TO THE FUEL PUMPS/SENDERS. APPEARS TO BE FUEL PUDDLING AROUND THE PUMPS/SENDERS. *TR

LIKE MANY BEFORE ME I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN OF MY MB. THIS CREATES A BIG PROBLEM IN SO MANY WAYS; FIRST AND FOREMOST THE DANGER OF INHALING GAS FUMES IS BOTH TOXIC AND CAUSES IMMEDIATE DIZZINESS EVEN IN SMALL DOSES (WHEN INHALED) WITH ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN, THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF INHALATION CAN CAUSE CANCER AND OTHER BODILY HARM. SECOND, THE FACT THAT THERE IS EXPOSED FUEL TO AIR MAKES GAS MORE COMBUSTIBLE AND LETHAL WHEN INTRODUCED TO HEAT, FIRE, FRICTION, AND MAY OTHER FACTORS OF THE FIRE TRIANGLE. THIRD, THESE CARS WITH EXPOSED FUEL ISSUES ARE ALSO HAZARDOUS TO OTHER MOTORISTS, PEDESTRIANS, MOTORCYCLE RIDERS, AND SO ON WHOM MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THESE VEHICLES. EXPOSED FUEL IS DANGEROUS, AND TOXIC IN SHORT AND I HOPE THE NHTSA AND MERCEDES BENZ WILL COME TO A QUICK RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THESE PARTICULAR LUXURY CARS ARE HAVING. *TR

AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK WITH GASOLINE, I SMELL AN ODOR OF GAS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 FULL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WARNING MESSAGE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP ILLUMINATED CONCERNING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS BRAKE FAILURES, BUT THERE HAD NOT BEEN A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF VALENCIA, 23355 VALENCIA BLVD, SANTA CLARITA, CA 91355, 661- 753-5555) AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL (SBC), BUT DID NOT SPECIFY IF THEY WOULD PROVIDE A SOLUTION COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SBC UNIT AND THE PUMP, WHICH BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE VEHICLE WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *TT

FUEL SMELLS FROM THE TANK FUEL. IT SOMETIMES LEAKS AND MARKS CAN BE SEEN ON THE GROUND. THE SMELL IS WORSE WHEN I PUT FULL TANK OF GAS. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT I HAVE TO PARK THE CAR FAR FROM THE HOUSE TO AVOID ENDANGERING MY FAMILY SINCE THE SMELL CAN GET INTO THE HOUSE IF THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. DRIVING IN SUCH CONDITION PUTS ME AT RISK SINCE THE SMELL IS SO BOTHERSOME. I HAVE HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN EVEN IN VERY COLD WEATHER IN ORDER TO GET FRESH AIR. I WENT TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE TANK WAS THE PROBLEM AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACE AT MY COST. ACCORDING TO THEM, IT WAS NOT MY FAULT THAT THE TANK HAD ISSUES BUT THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

THE DESIGN OF FUEL PUMP IN ALL THE MERCEDES BENZ IS VERY VERY DEFECTIVE , THE COMPANY HAS SHOWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE TO SAFETY OF CONSUMERS, WHEN EVER I FILL UP THE FUEL TANK , IT STARTS LEAKING AND STARTS EMITTING VERY FOUL SMELL IN SIDE AND OUT SIDE THE CAR, I THINK IF THERE IS TOO MUCH LEAKAGE OF GAS WHICH IS FITTED UNDER THE BACK SEATS OF CAR , IF THERE IS SMOKER PASSENGER , THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE RIGHT AWAY, I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM , THE DO NOT WANT TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY FOR SAFETY , BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND THE MILEAGE IS MORE THAN 50,000, I COMPLAINED TO THE HEAD OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY , THEY SUGGESTED ME TO REPLACE THE TANK , AND PAY FOR IT ,THE ESTIMATE IS ABOUT $4000.00 , SINCE IT IS SAFETY ISSUE THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL THE CARS, WHICH ARE IN THOUSANDS WITH THE SAME DEFECT, I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR FILE A CLASS LAW SUIT TO BE FILES AGAIN THE COMPANY FOR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FUELING, HE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR BEING EMITTED FROM THE REAR SEATS AND REAR WHEEL WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER A FILLUP, ONE MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, AND THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSORS AND THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE TOP OF THE TANK.. THEY DID A REPAIR JOB OF OVER $1000 IN DECEMBER 2013. THEN 3 MONTHS LATER, AFTER A FILL UP I AGAIN NOTICED THE STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE, AND THIS TIME THE SERVICE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS AN ACTUAL FUEL TANK LEAK. FURTHER ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME AND HAS HAPPENED TO MANY E SERIES CARS AND YET MERCEDES BENZ HASN'T ADDRESSED IT WITH A RECALL (YET PART WHOLESALERS HAVE MULTIPLE REPLACEMENT TANKS IN STOCK). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND AS RESULT, THE SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. *TR

I BROUGHT MY 2005 MERCEDES E320 [PURCHASED OCT. 2014] IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE JAN. 30, 2014. I MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE PERSON A NOISE [LIKE SOMETHING BROKE] I HEARD WHILE OUT OF TOWN VISITING. HE CHANGED MY OIL AND ALSO FOUND/REPLACE A BROKEN REAR SUSPENSION SPRING. THIS OCCURRED WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. REPAIR COST: $551.17. MY SECOND INCIDENT OCCURED FEB. 19TH. I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE [NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF FLUID] AND IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION SERVO SOLENOID SEALS REQUIRED REPLACING. REPAIR COST: $157.84. THE THIRD INCIDENT WAS REPORTED APR. 21, 2014. I NOTED AN INCREASINGLY BAD ODOR INSIDE THE CAR SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE, BUT WASN'T SURE EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AS I WAS STILL TRYING TO IDENTIFY IT. I FINALLY REALIZED IT WAS GAS I WAS SMELLING [INTERMITTANTLY] INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS. IT TURNED OUT TO BE LEAKING FUEL FROM THE LEFT FUEL PUMP SEAL (LFPS) UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. REPAIR COST: $161.31. THE FUEL ODOR GOT WORSE AFTER THE REPLACING THE LFPS. MOST NOTICEABLY AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS. I'VE ALSO IDENTIFIED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE DRIVERS' SIDE REAR QUARTER THAT PUDDLED BY THE TIRE. MY FEELING AT THIS TIME, REPAIRS MAY BE ONGING FOR MY E320, THAT I REALLY LIKE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING FUEL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR AFTER I FILL THE GAS TANK. THE SMELL PERSISTS UNTIL ABOUT ONE-EIGHTH TO ONE-QUARTER OF THE TANK HAS BEEN USED THEN DISSIPATES. I HAVE READ WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CLASS AND YEAR OF MERCEDES. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR. IS THERE A RECALL TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? IF SO, IS THERE A REFERENCE NUMBER? IF NOT, IS THERE A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY YOUR AGENCY OR BY MERCEDES TO ITS DEALERS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MERCEDES SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO FIX THIS. THE GAS FUMES ARE NEARLY INCAPACITATING AND CERTAINLY IMPAIR SAFE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKING POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,981. UPDATED 01/23/2014 *BF ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES WERE DRY ROTTED AND CRACKED, THE LEFT OUTER AXLE BOOT WAS TORN AND LEAKING, THE SERPENTINE ENGINE BELT WAS BADLY WORN, AND WAS SPLITTING DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE ENGINE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING OIL, THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR WAS DAMAGED AND WOULD NOT FOLD UP PROPERLY, THE TRANSMISSION PILOT BUSHING WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL INTO THE VEHICLE HARNESS. UPDATED 03/18/14 ..UPDATED 03/18/14 *BF *TR

DRIVERS FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY RESULTING IN DRIVERS FRONT SHOCK/STRUT DAMAGE. REMOVED AFFECTED PARTS IN PLACE. BROKEN SPRING HAD A POINT DEFECT AND STRESS LINES VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE. OWNER HAS CUSTODY OF FAILED PARTS. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS ~70F. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

UPON FILLING OUR CAR AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION, WE RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE CAR IN OUR GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING, I ENTERED THE GARAGE TO FIND AN INCREDIBLY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE VAPORS. THE SMELL WAS STRONGER THAN ANY GAS STATION OR MECHANIC SHOP I'VE EVER BEEN TO. IT WAS SO INCREDIBLY STRONG, I IMMEDIATELY OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR. I FEARED TO ACTUALLY TURN THE CAR ON GIVEN THE STRONG PRESENCE OF FUEL VAPORS ON A HOT PHOENIX DAY INSIDE MY HOME SO I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT OUT OF THE HOME FOR A WHILE TO AIR THINGS OUT. AFTER SUFFICIENT TIME HAD PASSED, I CAUTIOUSLY TURNED THE CAR ON (OUTSIDE THE HOME) AND TOOK IT TO A WELL RESPECTED MECHANIC SPECIALIZING IN MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES ONLY. AFTER INSPECTION HE INDICATED THE FUEL TANK HAD A LEAK AND THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED INCLUDING FUEL SENDERS AND THE TANK ITSELF. TO MY SHOCK, I OBSERVED THE LEAK AND THE PUDDLED FUEL DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH MY INFANT'S CAR SEAT! GIVEN THE COST OF THE REPAIR I WAS QUOTED, I CHOSE TO DO SOME INVESTIGATION ON MY OWN AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AND EVEN THE NHTSA HAS STARTED IT'S OWN INVESTIGATION UNDER ACTION NUMBER PE12001. GIVEN THE CONCENTRATION OF FUEL VAPORS THAT BUILT UP INSIDE MY GARAGE (UNDERNEATH OUR CHILD'S NURSERY), IN THE PRESENCE OF A GAS WATER HEATER, AN ELECTRIC FRIDGE MOTOR, AND OF COURSE THE VEHICLE ITSELF, I'M IMPLORING THE NHTSA TO PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS. *TR

MY CAR IS LEAKING FUEL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR FOR THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING IT BASED ON RESEARCH AT A MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS BY A STICKER ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF MY HOOD. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING. STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PREVALENT AS WELL AS LARGE OBSERVABLE LEAK AROUND REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. *TR

FUEL APPEARS TO BE LEAKING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. CAR IS NOT RUNNING NORMALLY AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL FUEL ON THE OUTSIDE. CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. CONCERN OF SUCH STRONG SMELL OF FUEL LEAKING INSIDE CAR IS RISK OF FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY. *TR

THERE WAS A MESSAGE THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED ATTENTION. I COULD FEEL SOMETHING INSIDE THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT AND THEY REPLACED MY BRAKES, BUT THE ISSUE KEPT HAPPENING. THEN ONE DAY, WHILE GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FULLY OPERATE. THE WHOLE DASH WENT RED AND IT CAME TO A SLOW STOP. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A 10 YEAR RECALL OF THE SBC UNIT BUT I DON'T SEE THE RECALL ANYWHERE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! *TR

FILLED UP MY GAS TANK YESTERDAY. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN SMELLING VERY VERY STRONG ODORS OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR.. I BELIEVE MY ISSUE IS RELATED TO NHTSA INVESTIGATION : PE12001. *TR

FILLED MY CAR UP THE NIGHT OF 10/1/13. PARKED THE CAR INSIDE GARAGE CONNECTED TO MY HOUSE. UPON WAKING UP THE MORNING OF 10/2/2013, I WAS OVERWHELMED WITH VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR. I TRACED THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR TO MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I IMMEDIATELY OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR TO EVACUATE THE FUEL ODOR. I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL SMELL TO THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK SEAT. ARMED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, I STARTED THE CAR AND BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND NOTICE A FLUID PUDDLE AND LIQUID LINE FORMED. I GOT OUT TO FIND GAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I CONTINUED TO BACKED THE CAR AWAY FROM THE HOUSE INCASE OF FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THERE, THE DEALER PULLED THE REAR SEAT AND THE FUEL PUMP INSPECTION COVER TO CONFIRM THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL SMELL. WHAT WE FOUND WAS RAW FUEL SITTING ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TAKE THAT HAD APPARENTLY LEAKED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER E55'S AND THAT AS OF NOW, THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THIS REPAIR HAS COST ME IN EXCESS OF $1000.00. THERE APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE. ALLOWING RAW FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE FUEL TAKE AND "PUDDLE" BOTH ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND UNDER THE VEHICLE CREATES AN IMMEDIATE FIRE HAZARD. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR THE FUEL PUMPS IMMEDIATELY NEXT TO THE RAW FUEL PUDDLE. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE AN IGNITION SOURCE IN MY GARAGE. I SHUDDER TO THINK OF THE RESULTS HAD ANYTHING IGNITED THE ENCLOSED FUEL VAPORS (INSIDE MY GARAGE WHILE MY FAMILY SLEPT ABOVE). PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND FORCE A SAFETY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE LOOSES A VEHICLE, HOME, OR WORSE YET ... A LIFE! *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL BEGAN OCCURRING INSIDE & OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE CAR UP WITH GAS. FUEL LEAK DISCOVERED AT GAS TANK FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN DEFECT ON THE MERCEDES W211 PLATFORM FROM 2003-2009 YEAR MODELS. MERCEDES DEALERS CONTACTED WILL ONLY MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AT MY EXPENSE WHICH COULD EXCEED $2000. THIS DEFECT IS HAZARDOUS TO ANYONE DRIVING WITH THIS FUEL LEAKING CONDITION AND IS ALSO VERY ENVIRONMENTALLY UNFRIENDLY AS RAW FUEL BEING RELEASED. *TR

THE CAR HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUELING. IT APPEARS THAT THE GASKET ON THE FUEL TANK LEAKS. *TR

SLOWING DOWN FOR LIGHT AND CAR TRIES TO STALL. AFTER GETTING IT HOME AND IN THE GARAGE, NOTICED STRONG GAS SMELL. TOOK TO SHOP AND GUY SAID GAS LEAK FROM TOP OF TANK. READ ABOUT LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITH E320'S. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK VALVE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000....UPDATED 11-18-13 *BF

AFTER A RECENT FILL UP, CAME BACK TO THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND THERE IS A EXTREMELY STRONG GAS SMELL. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING AS WELL AS THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDER UNIT. I WAS TOLD THE SENDER HAS SHORTED AND CAUSED ISSUES WITH THE REST OF THE SYSTEM. *TR