2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

AT EVERY REFUEL, I WOULD SMELL THE GAS FUMES IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SMELLS WERE STRONGEST IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. *TR

EXPERIENCE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AFTER FILLING TANK. SMELL DIMINISHES WHEN TANK IS LESS FULL BUT RETURNS WITH NEXT FUEL FILL UP. SMELL NOTICED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE EXACT DATE FIRST OCCURRED IS UNKNOWN, BUT WAS FIRST NOTICED YEARS AGO.

PERSISTENT STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER REFUELING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE SENDING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *TR

AFTER FILLING THE TANK AT A GAS STATION, I WENT HOME (5 MILES) AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN WENT BACK OUT TO DRIVEWAY ABOUT15 MINUTES LATER NOTICED A BAD GAS SMELL AROUND THE VEHICLE. SMELL WAS WORST UNDER LEFT REAR DOOR. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND COULD SEE SMELL GAS IN THE TRAY BELOW THE GAS TANK. I PULLED THE TRAY DOWN SLIGHTLY AND A FEW DROP OF GAS DRIPPED OUT. I COULD FEEL GAS IN THE TRAY WITH MY FINGERS. I THINK GAS TANK IS LEAKING FROM TOP OF TANK. GLAD I DIDN'T PARK IN THE GARAGE. *TR

I OWN A 2004 E320 WITH ONLY 44,652 MILES. AFTER EVERY FILL UP STRONG ORDER OF GAS FROM LEFT SIDE NEAR BACK SEAT AREA ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALWAYS COMES ON. I TOOK CAR TO A MB MECHANIC TRAINED BY MB HE REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND LEFT FUEL SENDING UNIT COVER , FOUND A HUGE PUDDLE OF GAS ON AND ROUND GAS TANK PUMP AREA. I WAS TOLD THE PUMP SEAL WAS NO GOOD, I HAD THE PUMP AND SEAL REPLACED, FILLED TANK AGAIN WITH THE SAME RESULT. FINALLY, LAST FRIDAY, WITH THE SEAT AND SENDING UNIT COVER OFF WE FILLED THE TANK AND DROVE THE TWO MILES BACK TO THE MECHANIC SHOP, WHEN WE ARRIVED THE WHOLE AREA AROUND THE PUMP WAS FULL OF FUEL, UPON INSPECTION ONE COULD SEE THE FUEL RUNNING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND PUDDLE AROUND BASE OF THE FUEL PUMP. WE VIDEO THE FUEL RUNNING FROM TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. CONTACTED LOCAL MB DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS TOLD THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON VEHICLE. THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT THE EXPENSE WILL BE ON ME. I DON'T ALLOW ANYONE IN MY FAMILY TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN GARAGE AFTER A FUEL FILL-UP. *TR

GAS TANK LEAKS AT THE TOP NEAR THE SENDING UNIT. ABOVE 3/4 TANK LEVEL, LEAKAGE TAKES THE FORM OF PUDDLES ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE CAR AN NOXIOUS FUMES ARE VERY STRONG. *TR

THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO SMELL OF GAS WHEN THE TANK IS NEAR FULL (3/4) TO COMPLETELY FILLED. THE FUEL HAS NOT BEEN LEAKING TO THE GROUND AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PINPOINT EXACT LOCATION. WHEN I WOULD GO INTO MY CLOSED GARAGE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE THE SMELL OF FUEL IS TOO STRONG TO IGNORE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SOURCE IS THE SENDING UNIT AND TANK ASSEMBLY. HE TOLD ME THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AND THE SITUATION COULD BECOME VERY DANGEROUS IF IGNORED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE TANK IS GOING TO RUN $2,000. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN DAMAGED AND SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A TANK REPLACEMENT AT THIS POINT IN ITS LIFECYCLE. *TR

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK, FUEL LEAKING FROM TOP OF THE FUEL TANK INTO PANEL UNDER THE REAR SEAT. *TR

FUEL SENDING UNITS UNDER THE REAR BENCH SEAT ARE LEAKING GAS AND FILLING THE CABIN WITH TOXIC FUMES. I AM UNABLE TO HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND EVEN DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN DOES LITTLE FOR VENTING OUT ALL THE FUMES. AT LEAST 10 OUNCES HAS ACCUMULATED UNDER THE SEAT AND SOAKED THE CARPETING. *TR

VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE. FUEL LEAKS AROUND THE FUEL TANK. I WAS AFRAID TO OPEN UP THE GARAGE DOOR BECAUSE OF THE SMELL/FUMES. VERY CONCERNED THAT THE CAR MIGHT EXPLODE. *TR

AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH FUEL, I HAVE NOTICE A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FUMES IN MY GARAGE AND INSIDE MY CAR. BUT I DON'T SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE FLOOR. AFTER THE GAS TANK DROPS TO 3/4 OF A TANK, THE SMELL OF FUMES GOES AWAY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. ALSO, THE GAS GAUGE ISN'T ACCURATE. I FOUND OUT, THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THE E CLASS 2003-2008. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT MERCEDES SHOULD REPAIR IT ASAP. THANKS. *TR

FUEL COLLECTING UNDER THE LEFT REAR SEAT. STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. TOOK THE REAR SEAT COVER OUT AND SAW PUDDLE OF FUEL. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED IF IT WILL CATCH FIRE AND INJURE OR CAUSE DEATH OF MY CHILDREN. *TR UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN PICTURES RECEIVED 03/19/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD SMELL GASOLINE FUEL FROM THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TR

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION # PE12001 FEBRUARY 8, 2013 I BOUGHT A CAR FROM A DEALER. ON A NEXT DAY I FILLED FULL TANK AND FOUND GASOLINE SMELL FROM DRIVER SIDE NEXT TO THE REAR DOOR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON INTERNET AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR ISSUE. TO VERIFY IF I HAVE SAME PROBLEM I RAISE A REAR SEAT CUSHION, UNSCREW 6 BOLTS ON SMALL BAY FROM DRIVER SIDE TO GET ACCESS TO FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FOUND A CRACK ON IT ALONG WITH GASOLINE SPILLING OVER. *TR

THERE'S STRONG GASOLINE ODOR FROM MY VEHICLE WHENEVER I REFUEL, PARTICULAR AFTER IT'S GARAGED. THE SMELL SEEMS TO GO AWAY ONCE I USED UP 1/3 OR 1/2 TANK. RECENTLY THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE STRONGER. I CAN SMELL IT EVEN WHEN IT'S NOT GARAGED. *TR

VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE ESPECIALLY AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. TANK IS NOT TOPPED OFF AT FILLING AND A FEW DAYS AFTER FILLING THE ODOR IS GONE. REAPPEARS EVERY TIME TANK IS FILLED. NO VISIBLE LEAK UNDER VEHICLE. *TR

VEHICLE HAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AFTER FILLING THE TANK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SUPPORT ON 02/05/2013 BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ON 03/01/2013. THIS APPEARED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIRS WAS $381.41 + $ 807.35 = $1,188.76. *TR

SAME SITUATION IDENTIFIED IN PE-12-001. FILLED VEHICLE WITH FUEL AND LEFT SITTING IN DRIVEWAY. THE NEXT DAY, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AND, UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WAS OVERWHELMED WITH FUEL ODOR. AFTER A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH, I FOUND MULTIPLE REFERENCES TO FUEL FILTER LEAK. I PULLED OUT THE BACK SEAT TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY IS FINE, BUT PASSENGER'S SIDE HAS APPROX 1/2 INCH OF LIQUID FUEL STANDING IN THE FILTER ASSEMBLY. FUEL HAS SOAKED THROUGH THE CARDBOARD/RUBBER COVER AND SOAKED THE INSULATION ABOVE. IT APPEARS THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FILTER ASSEMBLY WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED (THIS WAS CONFIRMED WITH SERVICE DEPT AT DEALERSHIP. THEY STATE THAT IT WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AS PART OF TSB.), BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, WHICH IS NOW LEAKING, IS OF A DIFFERENT (AND I PRESUME OLDER) DESIGN. I HAVE READ THE RESPONSE FROM HOGAN/LOVELLS DATED 4/19/12 AND WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT THE "TIGHT SEAL" DESCRIBED ON PAGE 2 WHICH IS ALLEGEDLY CREATED WHEN THE "ACCESS PORTS" ARE "SECURED BY SIX BOLTS AND [A] GASKET" IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT FUEL VAPOR FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, NOR IS IT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT LIQUID FUEL FROM SOAKING THROUGH THE GASKET, AND INTO THE INSULATION ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE REAR SEAT. ONCE THE GASKET AND INSULATION ABOVE IT ARE SATURATED WITH FUEL, THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS UNBEARABLE AND PROBABLY A SEVERE FIRE RISK. NHTSA IS WELCOME TO COME OBSERVE THIS IN PERSON ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

INTERIOR OF THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE REAR SEAT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT ACTUALLY SMELLS OF FUEL. I DROVE WITHOUT THE REAR SEAT IN PLACE TO DINNER. AFTER PLACING LEFTOVERS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE FOOD I HAD BROUGHT IN THE HOUSE THEN SMELLED OF GAS IN A 15 MINUTES DRIVE. I CONTACTED MB OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS,MI AND THEY STATED THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL FOR FUEL SMELL ISSUES EVEN THOUGH I KNOW OF A 40 PAGE POST BY MBWORLD THAT ALMOST ALL E55 OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. *TR

2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. MINUTES LATER, SHE BEGAN TO FEEL HEAT UNDER HER LEFT THIGH AND A BURNING SMELL, SO SHE REACHED DOWN TO TOUCH THE SEAT, AND QUICKLY DREW HER HAND BACK AS SHE BURNED THE EDGE OF HER FINGERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AS THAT WAS THE ONLY THING SHE COULD THINK OF, THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE EXTREME HEAT. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BY THEN, THERE WAS A FINGER SIZE HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE INSIDE OF THE HOLE WAS GLOWING RED AND SMOKE WAS RISING OUT OF THE HOLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO REALIZED THE BOTTOM LEFT EDGE OF HER COAT WAS ALSO BURNING, AND SHE QUICKLY PUT IT OUT. THE DEALER CONFIRMED, THE CAUSE OF THE HOLE WAS THE SEAT HEATER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FUELING, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

I HAVE A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN I FILL MY GAS TANK PAST 1/2 A TANK. I ALSO NOTICE WHEN I VISIT THE GAS STATION AND ADD FUEL I WILL SOMETIMES GET A STUMBLE AND LOSS OF POWER, ALMOST LIKE THE ENGINE WANTS TO SHUT OFF. IT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME AS I FEEL THE FUEL SMELL CAN BE DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. I ALSO THINK THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RELATED CONCERN OF ONCE IN AWHILE THE CAR WILL NOT START, LIKE IF IT IS OUT OF GAS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GASOLINE FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLACE THE SEAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,100.

AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, CAR JUST LOWERED OUT OF NO WHERE SPEED AUTOMATICALLY DECREASED, AND RED LIGHT CAME ON SAYING CAR TOO LOW STOP CAR, IT SCARED ME THAT IS SO DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE GOING AT A CERTAIN SPEED AND THEN IT DROPS OUT OF NO WHERE. THEN I HEAR AIR LEAKING FROM BACK BUT NOT OUT OF TIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR BEING EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

VEHICLE EXHIBITED STRONG ODOR OF GAS WITHIN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LEFT GAS TANK PORT AND FUEL SENDER UNIT FOUND TO BE LEAKY THROUGH CRACKS IN PLASTIC. LEAK STOPPED VIA REPAIR. VEHICLE STILL EXHIBITS STRONG ODOR OF GAS OUTSIDE CAR ESPECIALLY AFTER A FILLUP (WITHOUT "TOPPING OFF"). ODOR HAS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED OR FIXED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, AN ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE CURB, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM RELATED TO THE BRAKES WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE GARAGE WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED. I WALKED AROUND THE CAR TRYING TO DETERMINE WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. THE STRONGEST GAS SMELL IS AROUND THE REAR WHEELWELL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THREE DAYS LATER, THE GAS SMELL WENT AWAY. THEN I WENT TO FILL-UP MY GAS TANK AFTER FOUR DAYS AND THERE IS THE GASOLINE SMELL AGAIN INSIDE THE GARAGE ON THE SAME LOCATION. *TR

I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN. THERE WAS A POOL OF GAS WHEN I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT. IT CAME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. I ALSO GOT A OBE2 ERROR CODE. NHTSA SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT CITIZENS. *TR

CAR ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. DEALER REPLACED CHARCOAL CANNISTER. TWO WEEKS LATER AUTO REPAIR SHOP WAS CORRECTING A SHIMMY AND DISCOVERED A LEAKING FUEL TANK. *TR

VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL, EXTERIOR REAR LEFT SIDE. FOUND FUEL LEAK, LEFT REAR OF VEHICLE, DRIPPING HEAVY UNDERNEATH. TOOK VEHICLE TO A EUROPEAN CAR SHOP, MECHANIC REPLACED FUEL SEAL OF FUEL PUMP UNDER REAR SEAT. MECHANIC REMOVED LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL FROM THE AFFECTED AREA (LEAK UNDER REAR SEAT). *TR

I HAVE NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE ODORS EMANATING FROM MY CAR AFTER REFUELING. I PURCHASED A NEW MERCEDES BENZ GAS CAP AND INSTALLED IT. FILLED THE GAS TANK AND GASOLINE ODOR WAS STILL VERY STRONG. I DO NOT 'TOP OFF' WHEN REFUELING. RESEARCHED ISSUE ONLINE AT BENZWORLD.ORG AND DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS ODOR ISSUE I AM EXPERIENCING MAY BE RELATED TO A PROBLEM BEING SEEN IN NUMEROUS MERCEDES BENZ E-MODEL VEHICLES. AS ADVISED BY THE OTHER OWNERS HAVING THIS ISSUE I DETACHED THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FROM THE CAR AND REMOVED THE BOLTS FROM THE CIRCULAR ACCESS PANEL THAT COVERS A PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN THE DEPRESSION ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK WHERE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL WIRES ATTACH TO THE FUEL PUMP I FOUND A SIGNIFICANT QUANTITY OF RAW GASOLINE POOLED. THIS PRESENTS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION AND I AM NO LONGER WILLING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THE POOLING OF RAW GASOLINE ALSO REPRESENTS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE DUE TO THE EVAPORATION AND CREATION OF TOXIC FUMES. I UNDERSTAND THAT MERCEDES BENZ DEALERS ARE DEMANDING $2,000. OR MORE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BY REMOVING AND REPLACING THE GAS TANKS IN IMPACTED VEHICLES. I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO RECALL IT AND REPLACE IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA'S CURRENT INVESTIGATION ACTION NO. FOR THIS ISSUE IS PE 12001. *TR

THE SUNROOF LEAKS CAUSING ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. I RARELY USE THE SUNROOF. MAYBE I HAVE USED THE SUNROOF 5X. THE SUNROOF SHOULD NOT LEAK AFTER RARE USE. THE ELECTRICAL SHOULD NOT BE DAMAGED. APPARENTLY, THE DRAINS IN THE SUNROOF GET CLOGGED AND THE WATER DRAINS INTO TRUNK. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. I NOTICE THE SAME ISSUE WITH MANY OTHERS ON LINE. THANK YOU. *TR

THIS CAR HAS THE FUEL TANKS REPLACED IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW, WHEN YOU FILL THE TANK UP, IT LEAKS AND THE INTERIOR IS OVERCOME WITH GAS FUMES. THE CAR IS VIRTUALLY UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE FUMES. UPON REMOVING THE BACK SEATS, THERE APPEARS TO BE STANDING FUEL AT THE FUEL SENDING UNITS FOR EACH OF THE TWO TANKS ALONG WITH CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC ON THE UNITS. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN AND BAKING SODA IN THE BACK SEAT AREA FOR A WEEK, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE FUEL SMELL IS STILL NOTICEABLE. THE ONLY RESOLUTION THAT I COULD FIND FOR THIS, OUTSIDE OF REPLACING THE TANKS AGAIN (MERCEDES HAS CLEARLY STATED THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY) IS TO FILL THE CAR UP WITH ONLY 3/4 TANK OF GAS, BEING CAREFUL TO NEVER FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF NEW TANKS/SENDING UNITS, I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO REPLACE THEM WITH WHAT MAY END UP BEING YET ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART FROM MERCEDES BENZ. THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION WOULD BE FOR MERCEDES TO REPLACE THESE PARTS WITH COMPONENTS THAT IS RE-DESIGNED AND WILL NOT FAIL WITH THE FREQUENCY OF THE CURRENT OEM PARTS. *TR

AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH FUEL, I HAVE NOTICE A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FUMES IN MY GARAGE WHICH SMELLS THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE HOME AND INSIDE MY CAR. BUT I DON'T SEE ANY LEAKS ON THE FLOOR. AFTER THE GAS TANK DROPS TO 3/4 OF A TANK, THE SMELL OF FUMES GOES AWAY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT MERCEDES SHOULD REPAIR IT ASAP. THANKS. ALSO THE FUEL CAP SENSOR CONSTANTLY STAYS BLINKING AS IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CONNECTION TO THE FUEL TANK OPENING, EVERY TIME I RE FUEL. I HAVE EVEN HAD THE FUEL CAP REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE AND THE SENSOR IN THE CAR STILL COMES ON EVERY DAY. *TR

DRIVING SOUTH ON I95 NEAR SAVANNAH THE DASH LIGHTS INCLUDING THE BRAKE LIGHT LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN DECELERATING. APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE COULD BE STARTED BUT COULD NOT GET FROM PARK INTO A GEAR OR EVEN NEUTRAL. ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE FROZEN AND SO GETTING THE CAR ON TO THE TOW TRUCK WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. WERE TOWED TO THE NEAREST MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THE SBC SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THIS TOOK OVER NIGHT AS THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. BESIDES BEING GREATLY INCONVENIENCED - WE HAD TO SPEND A NIGHT IN A HOTEL, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY MERCEDES SINCE PURCHASE NEW IN 2004. THE PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED DURING A SERVICE CALL, THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS A RECALL THAT WAS KEPT QUIET. NOT INFORMING THE OWNERS OF THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY ISSUES IS A MAJOR NEGLIGENCE ON MERCEDES PART. *TR

HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. CAN NOT FILL MY FUEL TANK IF SO THE FUEL SMELL FILLS MY HOME BECAUSE I PARK IN THE GARAGE. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO WATCH FOR FLAMES IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

UPON FILLING UP THE CAR EMITS A STRONG GAS SMELL. THE GAS SMELL CONTINUES TO BE PRESENT ALL THE TIME EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND NOT TURNED ON. *TR

MERCEDES E320 2004 SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE, ESPECIALLY LEFT SIDE (THOUGH FUEL DOOR ON RIGHT). I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME GASOLINE PUDDLING ON TOP OF TANK AND I NEEDED FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP SEALS LEFT AND RIGHT, FUEL PUMP BRACKET AND CABLE HARNESS. SPENT $625 TO FIX. I SAW IN NEWSPAPER YESTERDAY (MARCH 20, 2013) NHTSA HAS RECEIVED 533 COMPLAINTS REGARDING FUEL LEAKS REGARDING MERCEDES. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ 320E. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SHE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TR UPDATED 05/08/13*LJ UPDATED 05/22/2013 *JS

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 E320 WITH 71000 MILES IN AUGUST 2012. LAST WEEK, NOW WITH 74000 MILES, WE NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE CAR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND IN MERCEDES FORUMS WE CONCLUDED THAT IT MAY BE THE FUEL UNIT. WE PULLED THE REAR SEAT AND TOOK OFF THE CAP AND NOTICED A POOL OF GAS, RIGHT UNDER WHERE OUR 2 YR OLDS CAR SEAT IS, ABOUT 2 CUPS THAT I TOOK OUT BY SOAKING NUMEROUS PAPERTOWELS.I ALSO TOOK PICTURES JUST IN CASE IT MAY BE NEEDED IT THE FUTURE. THROUGHOUT ALL MY SEARCHES ONLINE I'VE NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON IN THE E CLASS AND NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO RESOLVE IT THROUGH MERCEDES BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE E55 TRIM BUT NO OTHER, WHICH MAKES US WONDER WHY. WE WILL NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL IT GETS FIXED (AS OF TODAY IT HAS NOT BEEN ) BECAUSE WE FEEL IT IS NOT SAFE FOR OUR FAMILY TO HAVE A POOL OF GAS WITH ELECTRICAL WIRES RIGHT BENEATH OUR SEATS. *TR

TODAY I START THE CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE APPEARS. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND SCAN THE CAR. THE CODE WAS P0456 AND WE NOTICE A HARD SMELL OF FUEL. THEN I ENTERED THE CODE IN GOOGLE AND BEGAN TO SEARCH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SAW THAT A FEW MEMBERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY PUT A COMPLAIN ON IT. SO IM FILLING THE SAME COMPLAINT THAT THEY DO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WOULD BE AN STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CAR WAS NOT MOVING WHEN WE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE REAR SEAT AREA, WHEN WE PULLED INTO OUR GARAGE THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG WE MOVED THE CAR TO THE OUTSIDE TO PREVENT A POSSIBLE FIRE IN OUR HOME, I CALLED THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT THE GAS TANK SENDER/SENSOR WAS LEAKING AND POSSIBLY THAT BOTH SENSORS WERE LEAKING AND POSSIBLY THE TANK. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT GASOLINE COULD BE POOLING ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK CAUSING THE ODOR. HE LATER CALLED ME AND CONFIRMED THAT ALL OF THE ABOVE HAD HAPPENED AND COULD BE REPAIRED FOR APPROXIMATELY $3250.00 I ASK IF THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL HE SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARNING BUT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I THEN WENT ON LINE AND FOUND A LOT OF BLOGS DESCRIBING MY PROBLEM ALMOST IDENTICALLY. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS CAR AND COULD AND PROBABLY WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH TO SOME ONE RIDING IN THIS MODEL. I BELIEVE THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE IN THE RECURRING BLOGS THAT MERCEDES IS QUITE AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND ARE PROBABLY IGNORING THIS VERY EXPENSIVE FIX, PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS COMPLAINT UNTIL SOMEONE OR SEVERAL ARE HURT OR KILLED. *TR

RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED IN 3/7/2008 HAS FAILED. FUEL LEAKING UNDER BACK SEAT. *TR

2004 E55. FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING VISIBLE GAS UNDER REAR SEAT. VIVID GAS SMELL IN INTERIOR. 2004 E55. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM YET IT STILL TO BE RECALLED. I DON'T FEEL SAFE ON LONG ROAD TRIPS OR THE CAR BURNING DOWN. REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR

FILLED VEHICLE WITH FUEL AND LEFT SITTING IN GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AND, UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WAS OVERWHELMED WITH FUEL ODOR. AFTER A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH, I FOUND MULTIPLE REFERENCES TO FUEL FILTER/PUMP LEAK. I PULLED OUT THE BACK SEAT TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL FILTER/PUMP ASSEMBLY IS FLOODED IN AND AROUND THE RETAINING NUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR