2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

MY FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK WHERE I CAN SMELL FUEL BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE TANK ALL THE WAY. THE ODOR IS VERY PRONOUNCED AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE IF THIS MUCH FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE TANK. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED A LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. BASED ON INFORMATION I READ ON A MERCEDES BENZ FORUM WEBSITE, IT SAID TO REFERENCE ACTION NUMBER PE12001 (THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SERIES OF VEHICLE). I HOPE THE NHTSA WILL INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND FORCE MERCEDES BENZ TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE FUEL TANKS AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. *TR

A FEW WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E55 I NOTICED AN OCCASIONAL FUEL SMELL FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. OVER THE PAST YEAR IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, FUEL APPEARS TO BE POOLING ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SEAT WHERE THERE IS AN ACCESS PANEL. I HAVE REMOVED THE PANEL AND NOTICED THE FUEL ON TOP OF THE TANK. LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE I CAN SEE WHERE FUEL HAS BEEN RUNNING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK ONTO THE GROUND RIGHT NEXT TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN OF MINE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. MERCEDES WANTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WELL AS NAUSEATING TO DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

FILLED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES TO MY HOME, PARKED VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. LATER THAT EVENING I NOTICED A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE GARAGE. DID SOME RESEARCH ON A COUPLE MERCEDES OWNERS ONLINE FORUMS THAT INDICATE THAT FUEL LEAKAGE IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY 2003-2009 E SERIES MODELS. REMOVED THE VEHICLE REAR SEAT (FUEL TANK IS LOCATED UNDER SEAT) AND THE SCREWED-DOWN INSPECTION SEAL TO VIEW THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. OBSERVED A SIGNIFICANT QUANTITY OF FUEL PUDDLED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. SEE PHOTO AT: HTTP://SCREENCAST.COM/T/AUFW5K7LQZ CLEARLY THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AND FROM MY RESEARCH THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2003-2009 MERCEDES E SERIES MODELS. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, MERCEDES DEALERS WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL AND TYPICALLY CHARGE $1500-2500 FOR REPAIRS. HUNDREDS OF MERCEDES OWNER HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS ISSUE ON FORUMS AT MBWORLD.ORG AND BENZWORLD.COM 1. MBWORLD.ORG - HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-AMG/363759-URGENT-NOTICE-03-06-E55S-WERE-INVOLVED-FUEL-SENDER-RECALL-BOMBS.HTML 2. BENZWORLD.COM - HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-E-CLASS/1602584-GAS-SMELL-AFTER-FILLING-UP-TANK.HTML THERE ARE MANY MORE THREADS LIKE THESE AND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED AS WELL. HTTP://WWW.MERCEDESFUELTANKCLASSACTION.COM. *TR

WARNING MESSAGE: [STOP, CAR TOO LOW] APPEARED IN THE INFORMATION CENTER. WALKED AROUND THE VEHICLE CHECKING ALL WHEELS. DISCOVERED THE FRONT LEFT SIDE NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN FRONT RIGHT SIDE AND THE WHEEL ALMOST TOUCHING THE PLASTIC LINER UNDER THE WHEEL WELL. CHECKED FUSES. PRESSED "RAISE" AND ADS BUTTONS BUT IT DIDN'T REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE HYDROPNEUMATIC SHOCK ABSORBER. *TR

I FILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL AND DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT INTO THE GARAGE THERE WAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES. THE FUMES WERE NOT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BUT RATHER, OUTSIDE THE CAR. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A WHILE AND USING ABOUT 1/8TH TANK OF GASOLINE, THE ODOR WAS NO LONGER PRESENT. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS DETERMINE THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MUST BE REPLACED. I THINK MERCEDES DID A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EARLIER. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT T HE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER REFUELING ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

DRIVER SIDE FUEL PUMP SENDER HAS LEAK ON TOP WHERE FUEL PUMP MEETS THE TOP PLASTIC ASSEMBLY. LEAKS WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL. *TR

ON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, THE DRIVER SUFFERED A DEEP LACERATION OF THE MIDDLE FINGER AS A RESULT OF SHARP EDGES OF THE CHIPPING METAL COAT OF THE DOOR HANDLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT APPEARS THAT THE PLATING OF THE INNER EDGE OF THE HANDLE IS DELAMINATING FROM THE PLASTIC STRUCTURE, LEAVING PROTRUDING, SHARP EDGES ON THE VERY PART OF THE HANDLE USED TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS MAY ALSO BE A POTENTIAL SITE OF BACTERIAL INFECTIONS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GASOLINE ODOR WAS SMELLED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

I HAVE A FUEL UNDERCARRIAGE LEAK FROM THE REAR PASSENGER LEFT SIDE WITH A STRONG GAS SMELL WITHIN THE CABIN OF MY CAR- THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REFERENCED MANY TIMES IN THE MB FORUMS AND SEEMS TO BE A NATIONAL PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE A THROUGH INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE BEFORE A FATALITY ENSUES BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PLASTIC PIECE DESIGNED BY MB. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED WITH GAS, BUT OVER FILLED. I IMPLORE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AN IMPLEMENTING A RECALL FOR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AFTER I FILLED FULL TANK ON MY CAR, I NOTICED AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THERE WAS GAS LEAKING BELOW THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT. THERE WERE A LOTS OF FUEL THAT WERE SPILLED, AND MY WHOLE GARAGE SMELLED STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. *TR

EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS NAUSEATING AND SEEMS WOULD BE DANGEROUS.THE DEALER STATES A TEST VERIFIED A LEAK AT THE LEFT PUMP HOUSING AREA. ADDITIONALLY FOUND STAINING AT THE TOP OF FUEL TANK NEAR CENTER MOUNTING AREA. THEY RECOMMENDED A REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WITH NEW PUMP AND SENDING UNIT/FILTER ASSEMBLIES. THIS REPAIR IS $3000 US. THE PROBLEM IS THE NEW EQUIPMENT IS THE SAME FAULTY DESIGN OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. MOST LIKELY THE SAME PROBLEM WILL OCCUR AGAIN. AFTER CHECKING OUT THE SITUATION I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AT MERCEDES UNDER A RECALL, FOR THE FUEL LEAKS. THE VEHICLE THREW A CODE FOR GAS CAP. I REPLACED THE GAS CAP. TWO DAYS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEARED AND THE CAR THREW A CODE FOR AN EVAP LEAK. I REPLACED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER AND THE GAS CAP THINKING IT MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO THROW A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN IT IS FILLED WITH GASOLINE. ONCE THE TANK LEVEL DROPS BELOW 3/4 THE WARNING GOES AWAY HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR EMITTED IN THE REAR SEATING AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC CASTING OF THE FUEL PUMP INJECTOR VALVE TOP WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK AND PENETRATE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GASOLINE FUEL SMELL WAS IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK TO FULL, I NOTICED A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. DOES NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WHETHER THE CAR IS MOVING OR PARKED. THE PURGE VALVE FILTER WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY NEWBORN SON DAILY. HIS CAR SEAT IS ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE FUEL FILLER AREA. *TR

STARTED SMELLING FUEL HAD 1/2 TANK AND THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO I STOPPED TO FILL TANK. SMELL WAS SO STRONG AFTER TANK WAS FULL I COULDN'T BREATHE AND DIDN'T LEAVE STATION FOR OVER AN HOUR. I THOUGHT CAR MIGHT EXPLODE. I FINALLY FOUND ISSUE CAUSE ON A FORUM BAD FUEL SENDERS. I CANT BELIEVE MERCEDES TOLD ME ITS NOT COVERED UNDER EMISSION WARRANTY. IM THINKING OF SUING THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY IS NOT EXPIRED. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MERCEDES E500 AND AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER LEAVING IT PARKED IN MY GARAGE. AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND THE FUEL FELL BELOW 1/2 TANK THE SMELL GOT LESS AND LESS. HOWEVER, I JUST FILLED THE TANK AGAIN THE SMELL IS STRONGER THAN BEFORE. *JS

UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE AND LEAVING IT IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT, IT HAS OFTEN SMELLED OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR AND IN THE GARAGE. THE SMELL WOULD OFTEN DISSIPATE. AFTER REFUELING THE CAR AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE FOR THREE WEEKS WHILE ON VACATION, THE SMELL IS NOW MUCH WORSE AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. IT IS BAD ENOUGH WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT OUR SAFETY OF INHALING THE FUMES. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES WHICH WERE STORED SIMILARLY AND THEY DO NOT REACT THIS WAY. PLEASE REVIEW THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-5, AT APPROX. 65 MPH, DISPLAY SHOWED RED LETTERING "VEHICLE TOO LOW STOP CAR". MADE MY WAY OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD WHEN MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. PROCEEDED WITH TRIP. AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES, MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN. NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN CAR HANDLING OR PERFORMANCE FELT. MESSAGE AGAIN, DISAPPEARED. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL ARRIVAL AT HOME. THOUGHT FAULTY RELAY OR SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ONCE HOME, I GOT OUT OF CAR AND HEARD A SOUND AS IF AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM A BALLOON. NOTICED LEFT FRONT HAD DROPPED ALMOST ON TIRE. CAR NOT DRIVABLE. TOWED TO SHOP. BLADDER BURST. *TR

IT'S BEEN ABOUT A YEAR. WHEN I FILL UP GAS, IT SMELLS NOT ONLY IN THE CAR ALSO IN THE GARAGE, EVEN SMELL IT IN THE ROOM ABOVE THE GARAGE. I'VE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX IT IN MERCEDES AUTO REPAIR SHOP, BUT IT STILL SMELLS. JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS A MANUFACTURE FAILURE, AND I WISH A SOLUTION BY MERCEDES SOON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL FILTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

FUEL PUMPS LEAKING FUEL UNDERNEATH THE BACK SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL WAS SMELLED WHILE IN THE CABIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS SMELLED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

MY RIGHT FRONT AIR STRUT WENT OUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND HAD OUR SON IN THE CAR. SHE WAS 120 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND STRANDED. SHE WENT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF BEVERLY HILLS AND THEY WANT 160.00 TO DIAGNOSE AND THEN WOULD PUT HER IN A LOANER. THE ESTIMATE WAS AROUND 1700.00 TO FIX 1 AIR STRUT. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SPEED SHE WAS TRAVELING AT. IM NOT SURE WHY MB HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL ON THESE FAULTY PARTS. DEFINITELY WOULD BE NICE IF THEY WOULD COVER THIS. *TR

SMELLED GAS IN CAR. EACH DAY I WOULD GET A HEADACHE, NORMALLY I NOT PRONE TO HAVE HEADACHES. THIS WENT ON FOR A FEW WEEKS. I TOOK CAR IN AND LEARNED THAT BOTH FUEL PUMPS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *TR

FILLED GAS TANK LATE IN THE EVENING, AND RETURNED HOME. CAR SAT OVERNIGHT AND HAD STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN MORNING. OPENED ALL DOORS, LOOKED UNDERNEATH CAR AND FOUND NO FUEL LEAK. AIRED THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN DROVE TO WORK. DURING THE ONE HOUR DRIVE, THE SMELL BEGAN TO GET WORSE. I OPENED WINDOWS PARTIALLY, BUT COULD NOT OPEN WIDE DUE TO RAIN. I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE BEFORE ARRIVAL. LEFT CAR PARKED AT WORK ALL DAY IN UNDERGROUND GARAGE. THE ODOR WAS AGAIN STRONG IN THE EVENING. I AIRED THE INTERIOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE DRIVING HOME. AGAIN, AFTER NEARLY ONE HOUR, I DEVELOPED A HEADACHE AND FELT SQUEAMISH INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO REGAIN ALL SENSES SO THAT I COULD SAFELY DRIVE HOME. THE CAR NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE WITH THE BACK SEAT REMOVED TRYING TO GET THE SMELL OF GAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOW READ MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WITH SAME MODEL VEHICLE. I REALIZE THERE ARE NOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD; I AM SURE THAT IF THERE WERE MORE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM THERE WOULD BE SEVERAL SEVERE ACCIDENTS. I TRY TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PARTS SUPPLIER. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *TR

STRONG GAS SMELL THE PROBLEM FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING VAPOR. *TR

VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING OUT OF LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. THE ODOR REDUCED AS I DROVE FOR A FEW DAYS. IT SEEMS LIKE GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. *TR

PURCHASED PRE-OWNED CAR ON DATE ABOVE. AFTER FILLING GAS TANK FUMES ARE APPARENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE. AFTER USING APPROX. 10%- 20% OF FUEL ODORS ARE GONE. SO I USUALLY FILL THE TANK ONLY PART WAY. THIS TEMPORARILY PREVENTS THE PROBLEM. WHEN FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVE THE CAR, THEY DO FORGET NOT TO FILL THE TANK ! *TR

MY VEHICLE 2004 E500 HAS STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN FROM THE REAR SEAT AREA AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, SINCE THEN CAR TAKES LONGER TO TURN ON. HOPE THIS WILL BE SOLVED SOON. *TR

IM WRITING IN REFERENCE TO THE NHTSA ACTION # PE12001. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE ON THE 23 OF DECEMBER 2012. I CAN HONESTLY SAY I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS CAR. WITH THAT BEING SAID I HAVE NEVER FILLED THE FUEL TANK OF THIS CAR UNTIL 6-9-2013. THE REASON BEING I HAVE A 1998 FORD F150 THAT I DRIVE AS WELL. I MOSTLY DRIVE THE E55 ON WEEKENDS BUT ITS IN AND AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD. MY FATHER JUS CAME BACK FROM THE PHILIPPINES A COUPLE DAYS AGO SO HE NEEDS MY TRUCK TO GET AROUND WHILE HE'S VISITING. SO YESTERDAY I FOUND I NEEDED TO DRIVE THE E55 DAILY WHILE MY FATHER'S IN TOWN SO I FILLED UP THE TANK TO THE CAR. I PUT IN SHELL 91 AND WAITED FOR THE PUMP TO STOP. ONCE STOPPED I REMOVED FUELER AND INSERTED INTO ITS HOLSTER. NOTE I DID NOT TOP OFF FOR I NEVER FELT THE NEED TO IN ANY CAR I HAVE DRIVEN. I PROCEEDED STRAIGHT HOME AND PARKED CAR IN MY GARAGE, CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR AND WENT IN THE HOUSE. THE E55 WAS IN THERE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY AND NIGHT. AND THEN THIS MORNING AS I WENT INTO GARAGE TO GO TO WORK I WAS JUS TAKEN BACK BY THE FUEL SMELL IN THE ENTIRE GARAGE. SO I OPENED THE GARAGE TO AIR OUT AND CHECKED UNDER THE CAR FOR A PUDDLE OF FUEL BUT FOUND NOTHING. THE SMELL IS MUCH STRONGER NEAR THE REAR OF THE CAR. I DROVE OFF EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN TO JUS RID THE SMELL AS IT ENTERED THE CABIN AS I STEPPED IN THE CAR TOO. NO PROBLEMS DRIVING TO WORK BUT AS I PARKED IN REVERSE I CAN SMELL FUEL AS THE WIND KICKED IT TOWARDS MY WINDOW. I PARKED AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED AROUND THE BACK AND STILL SMELLED FUEL. SO AS IM WORRIED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT WORK I WENT INTO MY BENZWORLD FORUM AND FOUND ALOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS ME ESPECIALLY ON THE W211'S. SO AS I READ ON THE MORE WORRIED I GOT BECAUSE MY KIDS RIDE IN THIS CAR AND I DON'T WANT THEM AROUND IT ANYMORE ESPECIALLY WITH THIS PROBLEM GOIN ON. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

STRONG ORDER OF GAS FROM LEFT SIDE NEAR BACK SEAT AREA , ALWAYS AFTER FILL UP , THOUGHT JUST LOOSE GAS CAP , REMOVED REAR SEAT AND LEFT FUEL SENDING UNIT COVER , FOUND PUDDLE OF GAS ON AND ROUND GAS TANK . WAS TOLD FROM DEALER PARTS DEPT , VERY COMMON FOR SEAL TO WEEP , REPLACED ,BUT STILL SAME PROBLEM , AFTER LAST FILL UP , DRIED AROUND PUMP AND GAS JUST WEEPED THOUGH TOP OF SENDING UNIT , HAIR LINE CRACK I ASSUME , WILL REPLACE SENDING UNIT MYSELF . DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS DOESN'T MEET RECALL STANDARDS PER MERCEDES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL WAS IN THE CABIN AFTER REFUELING. THERE WAS ALSO A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE O-RINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE A STRONG GAS SMELL/FUMES ARE PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL/FUMES SUBSIDE WHEN APPROXIMATELY 1/4 OF THE FUEL IN THE TANK HAS BEEN USED. ON FRIDAY MAY 31ST 2013 THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL. PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE FRIDAY NIGHT AND WAS KNOCKED OVER BY GAS SMELL/FUMES ON SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 1ST 2013. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I FOUND FUEL AROUND THE SENDING UNIT UNDER THE DRIVE SIDE BACK SEAT. THE FUEL WAS REMOVED AND THE SENDING UNIT CLEANED. THE SENDING UNIT WAS OBSERVED SEE IF A LEAK COULD BE DETECTED ON THE UNIT. THE LEAK IS AT THE TOP PART OF THE SENDING UNIT. THE PART WHERE THE SMALL WIRE PLUG IS ATTACHED TO THE SENDING UNIT. IT LOOKS LIKE THIS PART IS "GLUED" TO THE BODY OF THE SENDING UNIT. SHORT TERM FIX IS TO ONLY FILL THE FUEL TANK HALF WAY. THIS HAZARD, IF NOT RECTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURE MAKES MINE AND ALL OTHER VEHICLES UNSAFE AND UN-SELLABLE ON THE USED CAR MARKET.

REFERENCE!!! PE 12001. HAVING PROBLEMS PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT STRONG ODOR OF GAS FROM CAR WHEN IN GARAGE AND ALSO KIDS COMPLAIN OF STRONG FUME ODOR ESPECIALLY IN BACKSEAT DRIVERS SIDE!!! NOW HAVING PROBLEMS W THE SEAL OF GAS CAP!?! SOME RESEARCH SHOWED THAT A FUEL LEAK WILL MAKE CAR REPORT GAS CAP LOOSE--( WHEN IT'S NOT). HAPPENS DAILY NOW'!! PLEAS CREATE A RECALL-- BLOGS LIKE CRAZY ABOUT OTHER E CLASS OWNERS EXPERIENCING SAME EXACT PROBLEMS'!!! *TR

FILLED UP MY CAR WITH GAS. CAME HOME, PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE. NEXT MORNING NOTICED A VERY STRONG FUEL ORDER IN GARAGE. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND SAID THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING GAS VAPORS. SCARED ME AS MY NATURAL GAS WATER HEATER IS IN THE GARAGE AS WELL. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE FUEL DELIVERY UNIT AS WELL AS PASSENGERS SIDE HAD DEVELOPED FUEL LEAKS INSIDE CABIN OF VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE BY MERCEDES AND HAS RECURRED. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE PLASTIC CRACKS ON THE FUEL SENDING UNITS AND GASOLINE LEAKS INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND EMITS FUMES THAT ARE DANGEROUS. *TR

CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH FUMES/FUEL LEAK?? THE ENTIRE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH STRONG FUMES AFTER FILLING GAS TANK OR WHEN NEAR EMPTY?? HAVE HAD IT CHECKED FOR LEAKS MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT LOCATING ANY LEAKS ONGOING PROBLEM--AT TIMES ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG!!! AND THE GARAGE IS FILLED WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE YET NO LEAK OR SPILL ANYWHERE??? *TR

FUELED THE CAR UP ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND PARKED THE CAR FOR THE NIGHT. IN THE MORNING WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, THE FUEL SMELL FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR JUST ABOUT KNOCKED ME OUT. I IMMEDIATELY OPENED ALL OF THE DOORS TO VENT THE FUMES AS I WAS AFRAID TO START THE CAR UNTIL THE SMELL DISSIPATED. I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE TO WORK THINKING THAT IT WAS AN ODDITY ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT WHEN THE CAR SAT DURING THE DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR TO GO HOME FROM WORK. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE, MOST HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE FUEL TANK FILTER-SENDING UNIT AND MERCEDES REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE COULD PASS OUT FROM THE SELL OF GASOLINE ALONE NOT TO MENTION THE THREAT OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION FROM THE LEAKING FUEL. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AS A RECALL ITEM AS IT SEAMS AS THOU THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE WASHINGTON DC BELTWAY IN THE FAST LANE, IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN LEAVING US STRANDED IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS WAS A VERY PRECARIOUS POSITION. FORTUNATELY, POLICE ASSISTANCE ARRIVED AND CALLED A TOWING SERVICE AND GOT US OUT OF HARM'S WAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THIS RESULTS IN THE COMPUTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION CREATING AN OBVIOUSLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I REPORTED THIS TO MERCEDES CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT THEY'RE REACTION WAS THAT THIS OCCURS INFREQUENTLY, BUT THEY WERE AWARE THAT IT DOES HAPPEN. SO I AM NOTIFYING YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION. *TR

THE FUEL SENDING UNITS UNDER THE BACK SEAT WERE LEAKING FUEL DIRECTLY INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FLOOR MATS WERE SOAKED WITH GASOLINE AND THE FOAM INSULATION UNDER THE REAR SEAT, AND THE FOAM IN THE REAR SEAT SOAKED UP GASOLINE FROM THE LEAKING FUEL SENDING UNITS. THE SENDING UNITS WERE REPLACED BY THE MERCEDES DEALER AT A HIGH COST (A LITTLE OVER FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS). OVER A YEAR LATER, WITH LOTS OF BAKING SODA, ODOR KILLERS, AND LEAVING THE SEAT OUT OF THE CAR WITH A FAN ON IT FOR TWO WEEKS, THE ODOR IS STILL STRONG IN THE CAR. PROBABLY THE ONLY REAL FIX WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE REAR SEAT, THE CARPETING ON THE FLOOR, THE MATS, AND THE INSULATION UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE COST TO DO SO WOULD BE HIGH. MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS AND OWN UP TO THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ANY SPARK NEAR THE FLOOR OR BOTTOM OF THE REAR SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE. LUCKILY, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 07/15/14 MA

GAS SMELL IN CAR SO WENT TO SHOP FOR INSPECTION. FOUND GAS TANK WOULD NOT HOLD VACUUM AND THAT IT WAS LEAKING WITH GAS POOLING AROUND TANK BELOW REAR SEAT. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW TO RECOVER THE OVER $4000 IN EXPENSES TO REPAIR MY GAS TANK. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT LEAK AND NEED REPLACING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL SENDER UNDER THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. *TR

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. THERE IS A DISTINCT FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. DO NOT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE BUT DO SMELL AFTER THE CAR IS PUT AWAY INSIDE GARAGE. NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE UNDER THE CAR (PUDDLING OR DRIPS). GOES AWAY AFTER FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN FULL. THERE IS NO SMELL IF YOU ONLY FILL TO 3/4. *TR

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR INDEPENDENT MERCEDES-BENZ MECHANIC BECAUSE THERE WAS STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER AREA OF THE CAR AND I NOTICED THERE WAS A SMALL PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE CAR WHENEVER I FILLED UP MY TANK. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND GASOLINE POOLED UP IN THE RECESS WHERE THE FUEL PUMP ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE LEAKING FUEL POSED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A FIRE, OR EVEN A POSSIBLE EXPLOSION SHOULD I PARK INSIDE MY GARAGE. HE SAID THE WATER HEATER PILOT LIGHT OR ANY OTHER SOURCE OF SPARK COULD IGNITE THE FUMES AND BURN MY HOUSE DOWN. IN ADDITION, HE STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE AND THAT MERCEDES-BENZ HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS BUT REFUSES TO ACCEPT THAT THEY HAD INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PART IN THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES OF THIS MODEL THEY PRODUCED. IT WOULD SIMPLY BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO REMEDY. IF I WANTED IT REPAIRED IT WOULD BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE SINCE MERCEDES-BENZ IS ACCEPTING NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS KNOWN ISSUE.THE LEAK HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. *TR

AFTER FILL-UP ON APRIL 2, 2013, VEHICLE HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS PRESENT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS FUELED ABOVE A CERTAIN LEVEL. *TR

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. *TR