2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Complaint Log

AFTER I FILL MY GAS TANK THERE A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUELING. POSSIBLE PROBLEM COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER ALONG WITH THE GAS TANK. THE ODOR IS SO SEVERE WE HAD TO PARK OUR CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE AFTER FILLING. THE TIME WE DIDN'T IT CAUSED SEVERE ILLNESS (NAUSEA) TO MY WIFE. *TT

I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE MY GARAGE FOR THE PAST WEEK. LAST WEEKEND I WAS WAITING FOR SOMEONE INSIDE MY CAR WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND I FELT THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I NOTICED THAT THE SMELL DECREASED SOMEWHAT WHEN MY GAS LEVEL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO EMPTY. WHEN I REFUEL THE CAR THE SMELL GOT VERY STRONG AGAIN. I AM CALLING THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. *TR

I FILLED THE FUEL TANK AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER I WENT INTO THE GARAGE AND DISCOVERED A STRONG GAS SMELL. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE GAS COMPANY AND TOLD THEM I SUSPECTED A GAS LEAK. THE TECHNICIAN CAME OUT AND TESTED THE APPLIANCES IN THE GARAGE. AFTER THE APPLIANCES TESTED NEGATIVE THE TECHNICIAN SURMISED THAT THE SMELL WAS POSSIBLY EMITTING FROM MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL TANK LEAK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR GAVE ME A VERY COSTLY ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. I ELECTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A PRIVATE MECHANIC. UNFORTUNATELY THE ISSUE WAS NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVED AND THE VEHICLE STILL EMITS A FUEL SMELL WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT ADMIT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND OFFER TO MAKE THE REPAIRS WITHOUT CAUSE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

I TURNED ON MY ENGINE AND MADE A U-TURN TO TRAVEL UP MY STREET. WHEN I COMPLETED THE TURN A RED WARNING LIGHT FLASHED THAT MY BREAK SYSTEM WAS NOT FULLY OPERABLE/TAKE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER. IN A FEW FEET, MY BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, CAR WOULD NOT STOP, AND EMERGENCY BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR; NO AMOUNT OF PUMPING STOPPED THE CAR. THE WARNING FLASHED "PUMP BRAKES!' I CONTINUED, TO NO AVAIL, AND FINALLY, ABOUT 15 FEET BEFORE THE INTERSECTION, THE CAR SLOWED TO A STOP. THIS OCCURRED ON MONDAY (I HAD JUST PICKED UP MY CAR THE FRIDAY BEFORE BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A "SQUEAKY-CHIRP LIKE SOUND WHEN PRESSED, AFTER WORK HAD BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER ON ANOTHER ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK THE SAME DAY THAT HAPPENED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AIR IN THE BRAKES; THAT USUALLY, WHEN PUMPED 15 TIMES, IT GOES AWAY. FROM THEN ON, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND/OR PRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, AS THOUGH NOT HELD SECURELY). THE DEALER TOWED IT TO THE SHOP AND NOW SAYS MY SBC SYSTEM FAILED BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO FORESEE OR PREDICT THAT PROBLEM BY CHECKING THE BRAKES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM; ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE DEALER SAYING THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO DETECT A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME $2000 TO FIX A BRAKE PROBLEM I BELIEVE THEY CAUSED WHEN THEY HAD MY CAR INITIALLY AND/OR DID NOT IDENTIFY AFTER ME TAKING IT TO THEM, TWICE, THEREAFTER. THIS WAS A TERRIBLY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. I, MY GRANDKIDS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD NARROWLY MISSED BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURED, OR KILLED. THANK GOD I WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE CAR STOPPED BEFORE I WAS FORCED INTO TRAFFIC. I SAW THAT OTHERS ONLINE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND CAN'T BELIEVE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED DUE TO THIS BRAKING SYSTEM ISSUE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I COMPLETELY LOST THE BRAKE FUNCTION, THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND IT TOOK IT ANOTHER 200 TO 300 FEET TO STOP. THE DASH TURNED RED AND HAD A WARNING STOP REDUCED BRAKING POWER DEPRESS BRAKE FULLY SBC WARNING I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL, BRAKE PADS, LEAKS ...BUT FOUND NONE. *TR

I FILLED UP WITH GAS AND ONCE I GOT HOME AND CAR SAT IN GARAGE THERE WAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS. COULD SMELL IT COMING INTO HOUSE. I COULD NOT SEE ANY VISIBLE GAS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS CONCERNS ME VERY MUCH. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AFTER WE FILL UP THE TANK. THE ODOR IS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES. *TR

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN OF CAR, LOCAL DEALER SAID FUEL PUMP AND SENDER NEED REPLACING AND MAYBE FUEL TANK IF PUMP REPLACEMENT DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. FUEL IS LEAKING AND POOLING ON TOP OF FUEL PUMP ACCESS PANEL JUST UNDERNEATH REAR SEAT. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ANY REASONABLE PERSON WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF MOVING PARTS AND, IN MY OPINION SHOULD BE WORTHY OF A RECALL. *TR

FUEL LEAKS AND A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUELING. *TR

CHECK LIGHT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

AFTER REFUELING THE CAR TO A FULL TANK OF GAS, I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER REPEATED FILL UPS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDESBENZ DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS BAD PURGE VALVE WHICH WAS REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $300. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUEL TANK, LINES AND OTHER COMPONENTS NEED REPLACING FOR ESTIMATED $3500. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS OR PRIOR COMPLAINTS, TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, OF THIS SIMILAR COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

AFTER FILLING GAS TANK, WHILED STOPPED, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE EVIDENT. THE SMALL SEEMS TO ORIGINATE NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. SOMETIME IT'S DETECTABLE INSIDE THE CAR, BUT MOSTLY IT'S READILY APPARENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10-30 MILES, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. *TR

I FILLED UP THE CAR AND DROVE HOME YOU CAN SMELL GAS OUTSIDE AT THE GAS STATION LIKE IT WAS LEAKING SOMEWHERE, BUT WHEN I GOT HOME THE SMELL WAS SO LOUD THAT I WAS AFRAID TO PARK IT IN THE GARAGE. NOT ONLY THE SMELL WAS BAD, BUT I CAN'T TELL IF IT IS FILLED ALL THE WAY OR NOT BECAUSE THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T GO TO THE TOP, IT IS ABOUT 3 NOTCHES FROM FULL, BUT ALL THE GAS PUMP IT STOPS THAT IT IS FULL. I WENT ONLINE, AND IT STATED THAT IT WAS A RECALL FOR E350 AND OTHERS FOR THE FUEL FILTERS THAT LEAK AND MAY CAUSE A FIRE, BUT IT IS FOR 2011 & 2012. IT SHOULD BE FOR ALL MERCEDES BENZ BECAUSE THIS SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING FOR OLDER CAR AS WELL. *TR

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350 WITH 84000+ MILES ON IT, IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. UPON FILLING MY GAS TANK FOR THE SECOND TIME, AND RETURNING HOME FOR THE NIGHT, I PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND WENT ABOUT MY BUSINESS. THE NEXT MORNING I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AROUND THE CAR. I PULLED THE REAR SEAT OFF, AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL POOL OF GASOLINE IN THE AREA OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON, AND THE NHTSA HAS ALREADY INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION# PE12001). AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ISN'T THE SENDING UNIT THAT CAME WITH THE CAR ORIGINALLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. *TR

STRONG GAS SMELL IN AND AROUND THE CAR. ESPECIALLY WHEN FRESHLY REFUELED. AT THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP BOTH OF THE FUEL SENSORS WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. I WAS ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR ONE MORE MILE AND GET REPAIRS DONE INSTANTLY. *TR

VEHICLE OFTEN SMELLS OF GAS FUME. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE I FIRST OWNED THE CAR IN 2012. IT IS VERY SEVERE SOMETIMES . I WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ *CN

NEAR TOTAL AND INSTANTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE, VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR, THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO ENTER PARKING LOT TO STOP. AS SOON AS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DASH ILLUMINATED RED AND NOTIFIED OF BRAKE FAILURE, PUSHING PEDAL TO FLOOR BARELY PROVIDED ANY BRAKING AT ALL. AFTER KEY OFF CYCLES EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE NORMAL AGAIN. HUGE CONFIDENCE LOSS IN VEHICLE, VERY CLOSE TO HITTING ANOTHER CAR AT SPEED, NOT GOOD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

I'VE NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE ODOR FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. DID AN INSPECTION AND SAW A LEAK ON THE FUEL PUMP. *TR

AFTER FUELING UP A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL STAYS IN THE CAR. IT WAS ALMOST FILLED UP BUT NOT TOPPED OFF. THE SMELL REMAINS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE MECHANIC STATES IT VERY EXPENSIVE TO DROP TANK TO LOOK FOR A LEAK. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BUT IS THE ONLY MEAN OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK. *TR

STRONG GAS SMELL AFTER FILLING THE TANK. THE WHOLE GARAGE SMELLS LIKE GAS. DEALER SAID THEY ARE UNAWARE OF SUCH ISSUE AND NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I'M SURPRISED BECAUSE I READ A LOT ABOUT THESE ISSUES ONLINE. IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ASAP BECAUSE IT CAN TRIGGER FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *TR

CAR IS LEAKING FUEL WITH STRONG ODOR IN GARAGE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER NORMAL GAS FILL UP. CAR IS NOT DRIVEN MUCH. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 70 ON HWY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE TUMBLE FLAP WAS BROKEN IN THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE MANIFOLD FOR $2000 PLUS LABOR, TAX AND GASKETS. THE FLAPS ARE SMALL AND COULD BE AN INEXPENSIVE FIX BUT ALL DEALERSHIPS THAT I CALLED CONFIRMED THAT THE ONLY FIX AVAILABLE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS AND MANY OTHER MODELS WITHIN THE SAME YEARS. *TR

DEALERSHIPS ARE TELLING US THAT THE E350 SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THE GAS TANK LEAK ISSUE IF YOU LOOK ONLINE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

FOR THE LAST 3 MONTHS AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK A INCREDIBLY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL WOULD FILL THE PASSENGER CABIN. THIS WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO CAPACITY. UPON INVESTIGATION, I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND ACCESS PLATE TO SEE THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT. WITH THE SEAT REMOVED AND THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK VISIBLE, I FILLED THE CAR WITH FUEL. WITH A FULL TANK, RAW GASOLINE SEEPED THROUGH A SMALL CRACK IN THE PLASTIC TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT ASSEMBLY AND FILLED THE AREA ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE INSULATION INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN UNDER THE SEAT APPEARED TO BE SATURATED WITH RAW FUEL. IN RETROSPEC, IF A SPARK WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IN THE CAR, THERE IS NO QUESTION THE CAR WOULD HAVE EXPLODED. *TR

2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO GASOLINE STORAGE AND PROPULSION MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE RE-FUELING A NEAR-EMPTY TANK EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE FILLER PIPE SPLASHED BACK GASOLINE, WHICH POOLED AROUND THE FILLER CAP. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE, HE WAS INFORMED A NEW FUEL TANK WAS NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HE WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $1500.00. *JB

FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AFTER SLOWING TO A STOP. FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE VEHICLE. NO FUEL LEAKS SEEN ON GROUND OR IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED A GASOLINE FUEL ODOR 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 AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

BALANCE SHIFT WORNED

WHENEVER MY CAR FILLED UP (NOT OVER FILL) WITH GASOLINE, THE STRONG GASOLINE SMELL WILL LAST A FEW DAYS. THE CAR WAS INVESTIGATED BY MERCEDES DEALER, THEY FOUND FUEL PUDDLED AT SENDER UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT ON LEFT SIDE. THEY STATED THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR USE AT THIS TIME DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. HOWEVER, THEY WON'T FIX IT AS MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND WOULD CHARGE ME FOR $1,300.00 AND I DIDN'T REPAIR IT SINCE IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE. I ALSO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS NOT THE PART THAT NEED REGULAR SERVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE WARE OUT. MERCEDES BENZ NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

EACH TIME AFTER FILL UP THE GASOLINE (NO OVER FILL), I HAVE TO SMELL THE FUEL SMELL FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS. I HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2009, BUT THE ODOR IS GETTING EXTREMELY STRONG. I WENT TO A LOCAL MERCEDES DEAL FOR INSPECTION,THEY CHARGED ME $175 AND INSISTED THAT IT IS NOT RECALL ITEM. THE INSPECTION SHOWS: 73412 FUEL SENDER LEAKING FUEL, VEHICLE NOT SAFE FOR USE AT THIS TIME DUE TO FIRE HAZARD, INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE, REMOVED REAR SEAT AND INSPECTION COVER FOR FUEL SENDER, FOUND FUEL PUDDLED AT SENDER. I THINK THE LEAKING IS CAUSED BY DEFECTED PARTS WHICH SUPPOSE TO LAST LIFE TIME LONG. MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL THIS ITEM. *TR

STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER FILL UP, OR WHILE SITTING ON AN INCLINE. REMOVE ACESS COVERS TO FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDING UNIT, PUDDLED GAS OBSERVED ON TOP OF TANK. *TR

THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG AND SICKENING GASOLINE ODOR THAT COMES FROM THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR AN ENCLOSED SPACE. THE ODOR ARISES FROM INSIDE THE CAR, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE BACK. THIS ODOR OCCURS EVERY TIME AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED UP. *TR

HAVING RETURNED FROM A WEEKEND TRIP, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND LET IT WARM UP FOR A FEW MINUTES. PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR IN DRIVE AND OFF I WENT, SO I THOUGHT. MY VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY IN LIMP MODE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH CODE P2725 "PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID E ELECTRICAL". IN OTHER WORDS, CONDUCTOR PLATE AND VALVE BODY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 722.9 TRANSMISSIONS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BY A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP ON 6/27/2013, TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND NEW FILTER ($553.38). THREE MONTHS LATER, BOOM! KAPUT! LIMP MODE! VALVE BODY TOASTED! DEALER QUOTE OF $1800 AND $2100 TO REPLACE VALVE BODY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MERCEDES SHOULD FOOT THE BILL. *TR

BASED ON NEWS REPORTS FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKS THAT ARE COMMON WITH MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS MODELS BETWEEN 2003 - 2009. I AM WRITING TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY WIFE'S 2006 E 350 THAT WAS JUST SERVICED FOR A FUEL LEAK. FOR SOMETIME SHE NOTICED A GAS SMELL AFTER REFUELING. ON 10/16/13 WHEN SHE REFUELED THE FUMES IN THE CAR WERE VERY STRONG AND DID NOT GO AWAY SO SHE TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEARBY DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE NEXT MORNING. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FUEL LEAK. THE LEAK WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT GAS HAD LEAKED INTO THE CUSHIONS OF THE BACK SEAT WHERE OUR 3 YEAR OLD TODDLER TYPICALLY SITS. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A "SAFETY CONCERN". I AGREED. I ALSO EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA ABOUT THE GAS THAT LEAKED INTO THE SEAT CUSHION AND THAT THE LEAK SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR E-CLASS MODELS. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE PAID FOR THE COMPLETED REPAIR, I REQUESTED THAT THE REPAIR BE COVERED BY MBUSA. BECAUSE NO RECALL EXISTS, MBUSA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEAK AS A DEFECT AND IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING MY REQUEST FOR AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY REPAIR COVERAGE, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. MY WIFE, OLDEST SON AND I HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE FUMES THAT CONTINUE TO LINGER WILL THREATEN ASTHMA-RELATED COMPLICATIONS. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION UPON REQUEST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND WAS REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK AND START DRIVING I CAN SMELL GAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE, I LOOKED UNDER CAR AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS WET AND SMELLS LIKE GAS. KIND OF SCARED THAT THE CAR MIGHT START ON FIRE. WHAT CAN I DO? IS THERE A RECALL? I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN ON ANY VEHICLE I OWNED BEFORE. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I GET IN A ACCIDENT? *TR

VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN CABIN OF CAR AFTER REFUELING. FUEL SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSES YOU DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING UNLESS WINDOWS ARE OPEN. JUST STARTED THE LAST TIME I FILLED UP. THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS BUT CAN'T FIND ONE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS.

LEAKING FUEL FROM TOP OF DRIVERS SIDE TANK. FLOW OF FUEL ALLOWS IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. FIRE RISK VERY POSSIBLE. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE FROZEN. AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD INCREASE SPEED THEN IT WOULD AGAIN SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PULLED OVER I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME DRIVING. ONCE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT READY TO TRAVEL BACK HOME I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I WAS NOW ABLE TO ONLY DRIVE THE CAR USING MANUAL SHIFT OR DRIVE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AT 20 TO 30 MPH. I HAD THE CAR EVALUATED BY MERCEDES IN ATLANTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOME PROBLEM WITH SOME TYPE OF TRANSMISSION PUMP AND THAT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY MERCEDES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH PREVIOUS CARS THAT I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 10 PLUS YEARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. A NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST ME $6500. I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR FOR THAT PRICE. I DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT HAS NOW EXPIRED. *JS

THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN AND EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS VERY STRONG SMELL IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK, BUT CONTINUES TO SMELL THROUGHOUT THE LEVELS IN THE TANK. I AM VERY AFRAID OF A POSSIBLE FIRE DUE TO THE WHAT SEEMS TO BE EXCESS GASOLINE. I AM EXTREMELY FEARFUL SHOULD I EVER GET INVOLVED IN A REAR END TYPE ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ARE IN DANGER UNTIL THIS SITUATION IS EVALUATED. THIS IS A KNOWN CONDITION THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *TR

WHEN THE CAR'S GAS TANK WAS FILLED, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. WITH A BEDROOM CLOSE BY AND AN HVAC SYSTEM ABOVE, WE THOUGHT THIS WAS UNSAFE AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL. MERCEDES ENDED UP CHARGING US A DISCOUNTED PRICE OF $1476 FOR THE REPAIR, BUT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE PAID THE FULL COST OF REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS CRACKED AND THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,089.

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE OCCURS AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. THIS PERSISTS UNTIL THE CAR IS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES. DEALER SUGGESTS THAT THIS MAY BE A RESULT OF FUEL TANK LEAKS OR BAD SENDERS AND IS QUOTING AS MUCH AS $3000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK. *TR

STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN MY E350 MERCEDES BENZ CAR FOR FEW DAYS. CALLED MY MERCEDES BENZ MAINTENANCE SHOP( MERCEDES BENZ -GREEN WAY PLAZA AT HOUSTON TX). THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THIS A COMMON IN THIS SERIES CAR. THE FUEL LEAK WAS FROM FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER AREA LIKE HOUSTON. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO "RECALL" ON THIS ISSUE. UPDATED 09/10/13*LJ UPDATED 12/21/13 *JS

BASED ON NEWS ITEMS REGARDING MERCEDES-BENZ W211 (U.S.A. MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 E CLASS) VEHICLES EXPERIENCING FUEL LEAKS, AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS PERFORMED ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLE. GROSS EXAM REVEALED NO FUEL PUDDLING ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND A LACK OF FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ENVIRONMENT IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, REMOVAL OF THE REAR SEAT BENCH, UNDERLYING INSULATION PAD AND LEFT FUEL PUMP ACCESS PLATE REVEALED FUEL ODOR; CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SUPERIOR OUTER ASPECT OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY TO BE WET WITH GASOLINE; FUEL-INDUCED DISCOLORATION (WHITE TO BROWN) OF THE PLASTIC COMPRISING THIS SUPERIOR ASPECT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT. POOLING OF FUEL WITHIN THE LEFT PUMP WELL OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS NOT PRESENT. THE CLAMPED BLACK RUBBER FUEL DELIVERY HOSE WAS SECURE AND DRY, AS WAS THE OUTFLOW NIPPLE TO WHICH IT WAS ATTACHED. THE PLASTIC IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE NIPPLE WAS NOT DISCOLORED. NO REMEDIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, INSTALLATION OF A NEW STYLE PUMP (DELIVERY UNIT WITH FLUID LEVEL SENSOR, M-B PN A211 470 41 94) AND SEAL RING (M-B PN A211 471 05 79) IS PLANNED IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. *TR

DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AT LOW SPEED AND COIL SPRING SNAPPED ABOVE THE SPRING PERCH. CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL REPAIRS WERE MADE. *TR

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK, NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR ON DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. OPENED FUEL SENDING UNIT ACCESS PANEL UNDER REAR SEAT AND NOTICED FUEL POOLED ON TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT. THE FUEL ODOR DISSIPATES AS FUEL IS CONSUMED. HOWEVER, THE ODOR RETURNS ON EACH FULL TANK FILL. SUMMARY: GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE REAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER. *TR