2003 MERCEDES BENZ AMG E55 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, THERE WAS AN INCREASINGLY LARGE RATTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER LOAD. EVENTUALLY THE RATTLE STOPPED. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS, IT LEAKED EVERYWHERE CAUSING A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD. WHILE THIS WAS PUT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS BY MERCEDES BENZ, A 2003 MODEL IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 YEARS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AS IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN RURAL MONTANA ON A ROAD TRIP (I'M FROM WA) AND POSED A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD IN THE BLAZING HEAT OF SUMMER. I HAD TO TOW IT BACK ON A UHAUL TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR A POTENTIAL FIRE. EVEN THE MECHANICS AT A NEAR-ISH (200 MILES AWAY FROM THE MONTANA HIGHWAY I BROKE DOWN ON) WERE HESITANT TO EVEN MOVE THE CAR DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS OR BEEN GIVEN A MUCH LONGER EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN ADDITION TO THE SHAKE, NOW THE BRAKES WILL NOT LET GO WHEN I TRY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS WOULD NORMALLY BE A SEPARATE ISSUE, BUT IF IT CREATES A SPARK NEXT TO THE FUEL ISSUE, IT COULD MEAN THAT THE CAR IS QUITE LITERALLY A BOMB IF DRIVEN. THE WHOLE INTERIOR SMELLS LIKE FUEL AS WELL. MERCEDES SEEMS TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM BY COMPLYING WITH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK AND ADDING THE WARRANTY BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL OR LONGER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO GREED. THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS LIKE MY OWN AND EVEN WORSE ONES WHERE THE FUEL MAY IGNITE IN THE FUTURE.

Mileage: 103,700

WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL RECALL TURNED INTO AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND AS A RESULT I HAVE LOST $1700. AFTER A BATTLE WITH THE NHTSA, BACK IN 2015 MERCEDES SETTLED TO DO A RETROACTIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON CERTAIN 2003-2011 VEHICLES DUE TO HOW MANY PROBLEMS AND SAFETY CONCERNS THERE WERE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. UNKNOWN TO ME, NOT RECEIVING ANY LETTERS ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE, MY CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD BY 3 MONTHS WHEN I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT READ BY A REPUTABLE GAS-STATION SHOP, AND THEY FOUND AN EVAP LEAK. THIS WAS NO NORMAL HOSE LEAK/GAS CAP OPEN EVAP LEAK. THEY ENDED UP FINDING A MASSIVE LEAK AT THE TOP FUEL PUMP! THERE WAS ACTUALLY DARK PLASTIC/SIGNS OF HIGH-HEAT INSIDE THE GAS TANK (ON THE PUMP). FIRE HAZARD?!? I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES OF WILMINGTON FOR A SECOND EVALUATION BECAUSE IT WAS A TIME BOMB. I WAS QUOTED $2100 TO FIX THE ISSUE FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDER. I FOUGHT WITH MBUSA TO GET IT COVERED FOR TWO WEEKS, BUT MY CAR, AFTER 15 YEARS, WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD! THEY WOULDNT EVEN DROP THE COST DOWN TO $2000 EVEN WHEN I ASKED FOR SOME SORT OF GOOD WILL IF I GOT THE WORK DONE. I NEEDED MY CAR SO I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE MOST REPUTABLE PRIVATE BENZ SHOP IN DELAWARE - "EURO TECH". I PURCHASED AN FCPEURO FUEL PUMP KIT AND HAD THEM INSTALL IT FOR LESS THAN THE DEALER WANTED. THIS SHOULD BE A TOTAL RECALL AND PEOPLE ON THE BIGGEST MB-FAN WEBSITE, MBWORLD.COM, ARE STILL POSTING WEEK AFTER WEEK WITH FUEL PUMP HORRORS! THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED ALREADY BY YOU GUYS. I AM ALSO SENDING THIS EMAIL TO MBUSA. IF I DON'T HEAR BACK FROM MBUSA I WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. I HAVE SPENT $100 AT SHOP #1, $100 AT THE MB DEALER TO TELL ME 'NO', $1050 IN PARTS, AND $450 IN LABOR, FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL.

Mileage: 90,000

FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL

Mileage: 113,000

I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E55 AMG. UPON DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE STATE WHERE I PURCHASED IT, I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THIS IS STRONG INSIDE THE CABIN AND ALSO OUTSIDE THE CABIN, TO THE POINT THAT OTHERS AROUND THE CAR NOTED THE FUEL SMELL. I CAN SMELL IT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. A GOOGLE SEARCH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS YEARS AGO AND MBUSA OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF AN ADDITIONAL 5 YEARS BEYOND THE INITIAL 10 YEARS IN LIEU OF HAVING A COURT REQUIRE A FULL RECALL. AFTER, FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON MY PART, I LEARNED THAT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF BUT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR W211 VEHICLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM ON MY CAR ENDED LAST YEAR. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) DID NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MAYBE THEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FULL RECALL! THIS IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE ASTHMA AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR DUE TO THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISK INVOLVED. MBUSA SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WIGGLE OUT OF FAULT ON A VERY POORLY DESIGNED FUEL SYSTEM BY OFFERING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT ONLY GAVE OWNERS A FEW YEARS TO LEARN ABOUT IT AND ALSO GET THE WORK DONE.THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS FINALLY OFFERED BY MBUSA IN 2015, ONLY GIVING THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF MY CAR A FEW YEARS TO LEARN ABOUT THE WARRANTY AND GET THE WORK DONE. NOT TO MENTION THAT MY CAR WENT THROUGH SEVERAL OWNERS DURING THAT TIME FRAME. MEANING THAT THE OWNERS DID NOT OWN THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO DISCOVER THE ISSUE AND FIND OUT ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THESE OWNERS NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MBUSA ABOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY IN ITALY WHEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS ISSUED. IT WAS LATER BROUGHT BACK TO THE US.

Mileage: 100,000

STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILL UP. FUEL LEAKING ON TO TOP OF TANK AND VAPORS ENTERING CABIN

Mileage: 83,000

TAKATA RECALL, ALSO HAVING PROBLEM WITH FUEL CAP AND EVACUATION SYSTEM.

Mileage: 65,170

BAD FUEL PUMPS UNDER REAR SEAT CAUSING FUEL SMELL IN MY ENTIRE CAR.

BOUGHT A PRE-OWNED 2003 E55 FROM MERCEDES DEALER 2005. HAVE HAD CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AND EXCLUSIVELY AT DEALER EVER SINCE. HAVE SMELLED GASOLINE SMELL IN GARAGE ESPECIALLY AFTER FILLING-UP CAR. MOST RECENTLY, ON 21-APR-15 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. DEALER SAID GAS TANK LEAKING AND THEY WOULD FIX IT - COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ - NO COST TO ME. MY CONCERN IS: IF MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT THIS DEFECT (SEE LINK TO MERCEDES LAWSUIT (BELOW)) FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM FOR SERVICING, REGULARLY, FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS (AND SPENT MORE THAN $10,000 IN SERVICE OVER THOSE YEARS) WHY DID THE DEALER NOT PREEMPTIVELY ALERT ME EARLIER TO THIS VERY DANGEROUS LIABILITY AND RECTIFY IT YEARS AGO? HTTP://WWW.SCRIBD.COM/DOC/100877072/MERCEDES-LAWSUIT. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE ASWELL AS IN THE CABIN. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

FUEL APPEARS TO BE LEAKING UNDER SEAT FROM GAS TANK STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN GARAGE, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT EXPLOSION DUE TO FUMES. *TR

REFERENCE THE NHTSA ACTION# PE12001 THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FUEL SENDING UNITS AND AT ONE OR BOTH OF THE FUEL PUMPS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK OF THIS CAR. WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK TO FULL, GAS LEAKS AND PRODUCES A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE AND AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. I HAVE REMOVED THE REAR SEAT TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE UNITS AND I HAVE OBSERVED STANDING GASOLINE ON THE TOP SURFACE OF THE SENDING UNIT SEALS. THERE ARE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS INSIDE OF THESE UNITS AND THEY APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN SHORTING DUE TO THE LEAK. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY HAZARDOUS, LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. *JS

Mileage: 39,625

THIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED IN 2008 FOR THE SAME ISSUE AS PART OF A RECALL CAMPAIGN BY MERCEDES-BENZ, #2008-020001. I WAS NOT THE OWNER AT THE TIME. THE IDENTICAL ISSUE IS NOW PRESENT ONCE AGAIN, VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN THE INTERIOR, AND A LESS-PRESENT ODOR AT THE EXTERIOR. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDER UNITS WILL NOW BE REPLACED AT MY PERSONAL EXPENSE, HOWEVER SINCE THIS IS A REPEAT OF A PREVIOUS ISSUE WHICH HAD ALREADY WARRANTED A RECALL, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MERCEDES-BENZ USA. *TR

Mileage: 168,600

I PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE AND SMELLED GASOLINE. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND IT WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. IT LEFT A BIG PUDDLE AND WILL NOT STOP. *TR

Mileage: 84,575

FILLED MY JUST PURCHASED 2003 E55 AMG WITH GASOLINE ON 10/30/14 AND DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. AFTER A FEW MINUTES MY BROTHER TOLD ME THE GARAGE HAD A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. DROVE TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING AND NOTICED THE SMELL WAS EXTREMELY STRONG IN THE CAR AND LEFT WINDOWS DOWN TO VENTILATE. DROVE HOME WITH WINDOWS DOWN AND STILL NOTICED SMELL THAT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM BACK SEAT OF CAR. ENTERED CAR AND "GASOLINE SMELL" INTO INTERNET SEARCH TO FIND THERE IS A LARGE SCALE ISSUE, INVESTIGATION, AND LAWSUIT. WHEN PICKING THE CAR UP FROM DEALER I NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR SEAT BOTTOM WAS NOT ATTACHED. THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO AN INSPECTION. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ACCESS PANEL FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE SEAT. AFTER LEARNING THIS I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT TO FIND GASOLINE ON THE ACCESS PANEL. REMOVED THE PANEL TO FIND A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE TANK AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID TO PARK THE CAR AND A TOW TRUCK WOULD DELIVER IT TO THEM. THEN THE DEALER CALLED AND PROVIDED A NUMBER FOR ME TO CALL MERCEDES BENZ USA TO ARRANGE A TOW TRUCK. MERCEDES ARRANGED THE TOW TRUCK AND HAULED THE JUST PURCHASED CAR BACK TO DEALER. DEALER IS SUPPOSED TO BE CHECKING IT ON MONDAY 11/3/14 TO LET ME KNOW THE STATUS. *TR

Mileage: 52,400

I GOT HOME FROM THE STORE SMELT GAS THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT AT FIRST. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN GOT A BIG SMELL OF FUEL, THAT GOT ME THINKING. LATER THAT DAY WHEN I GOT HOME I STARTED SMELLING AROUND MY VEHICLE. OPENED TRUNK SMELT GAS. THEN I SMELT BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR ON THE DRIVE SIDE REAR WHEEL. FURTHER INVESTIGATION I GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE TO CHECK IT OUT. I COULD SEE FUEL RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF MY FUEL TANK. SO I REMOVED MY REAR SEAT AND THE CAP UNDER THE SEAT TO SEE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FROM ABOVE. WHEN I REMOVED THAT THERE WAS A STREAM OF FUEL SHOOTING OUT OF MY SENDING UNIT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS CLAIM AND I FOUND OUT ITS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL AND THAT DIDN'T DO THE FIX. I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE SENDING UNIT SHOOTING THE SPRAY OF FUEL BUT THERE IS NO AREA TO UPLOAD IT ON HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING WITH THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE PUDDLES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND STANDING GASOLINE UNDER THE REAR SEATS. *TR

Mileage: 75,842

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE RIGHT REAR SENDING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,147 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ UPDATED 8/23/2017*CN

Mileage: 61,147

LEAKING FUEL IN CAR AROUND NECK OF FUEL TANK /SENDING UNIT. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, AND EVER SINCE THE FIRST TIME I FILLED UP MY FUEL TANK, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. SO MUCH THAT I COULD NOT BE IN THE CAR AND WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN AND SUNROOF OPENED SO THE SMELL CAN GO AWAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF WICHITA, KS AND EXPLAINED MY ISSUE AND THEY SIMPLY SAID THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT MIGHT BE RELEASING VAPOR INTO THE CABIN AND THAT IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED IF IT WAS A RECALL ITEM AND COVERED BY THEM, THEY TOLD ME NO AND THAT IT WOULD BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AT OVER 1000$. I WAS NOT ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIRS AT THE TIME SO I SIMPLY DID NOT FILL THE FUEL TANK TO THE TOP FROM THAT POINT ON. ON OCTOBER OF 2013 THOUGH, I PARK AT A LAUNDRY MAT FACILITY AND GO INSIDE. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES AN EMPLOYEE COMES IN ASKING WHO IS THE OWNER OF A SILVER MERCEDES (MY CAR) STATING THAT IT IS LEAKING FUEL. I RUN OUTSIDE AND NOTICE A HUGE PUDDLE UNDER MY REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WITH A STEADY STREAM OF FUEL COMING DOWN. I BECAME ALARMED AND BEGAN TO FIND WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE BACK LOWER SEAT AND GAINED ACCESS TO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT UNDER THE SEAT AND NOTICED THERE WAS FUEL EVERYWHERE AND LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT. I TOOK PICS AND A VIDEO SO I CAN SHOW THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I SHOWED THE SERVICE MANAGER THE PICTURES AND VIDEO, THEY SAID "WOW, THAT'S BAD. LOOKS LIKE YOU 'RE GOING TO NEED TO REPLACE IT" ONCE AGAIN I ASKED IF THAT QUALIFIED TO BE REPLACED AT NO COST BY THE DEALER SINCE IT IS A MANUFACTURER FLAW AND A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WITH POSSIBLE FIRE OR EXPLOSION WAITING TO OCCUR AND THEY SIMPLY SAID NO AND WOULD NOT TRY TO HELP ME WITH THE ISSUE. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET TO FIND NUMEROUS OTHER DRIVERS WITH SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT HELP THEM AS WELL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

WHEN I GET IN INTO MY CAR I GET SMELL OF FUEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL?. I HAVE READ LOTS OF FUEL SMELL PROBLEMS FOR THE E55. *TR

I BEGAN TO NOTICE STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE INTERMITTENTLY - I PARK THE CAR IN GARAGE DAILY BUT ONLY NOTICED GASOLINE ODOR SOME DAYS- TOOK TO DEALER DEC 2012 AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS FUEL LEAK AT FUEL RAIL PRESSURE REGULATOR - DEALER REPLACED FUEL RAIL AND REGULATOR- I THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED SINCE I DID NOT NOTICE GASOLINE ODOR FOR A WHILE- THEN STARTED TO HAVE INTERMITTENT GASOLINE ODOR AGAIN- NOTICED SMALL OIL LEAK UNDER ENGINE AND TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER FEB 2013 AND MENTIONED THAT I SMELLED FUEL ODOR AGAIN- DEALER LOCATED MINOR OIL LEAK AT REAR MAIN SEAL THAT DID NOT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND DID NOT COMMENT ANYTHING FURTHER ABOUT THE GASOLINE ODOR- I MONITORED THE SITUATION FOR NEXT FEW WEEKS- MONTHS SINCE I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO KEEP TAKING AUTO BACK TO DEALER - FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT INTERMITTENT NATURE OF GASOLINE SMELL WAS RELATED TO FILLING TANK- NOTICED THE ODOR AFTER FULL FILL-UP,THEN STOPPED AFTER FEW DAYS- NO ODOR IF JUST FILL UP 1/2-3/4 TANK. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

VEHICLE LOST POWER ON INTERSTATE. LATER RE-STARTED AND TAKEN TO TAFEL MOTORS IN LOUISVILLE, KY. BOTH FUEL PUMPS/ SENDER MODULES WERE FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND LEAKING AND REPLACED AT A COST OF $1627.47 ON 8-3-10 AT 112646 MILES. IN AUGUST OF 2011, BOTH PUMPS AND MODULES BEGAN TO LEAK FUEL. STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN CABIN, AND FUEL LEAKING ONTO GROUND. THEY WERE REPLACED AT MERCEDES BENZ OF INDIANAPOLIS UNDER WARRANTY OF THE SERVICE DONE AT TAFEL MOTORS THE YEAR BEFORE. AGAIN, ON OCTOBER 5 OF 2012, ONE OF THE UNITS BEGAN TO LEAK GASOLINE, STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN CABIN, AND LEAKING ONTO GROUND. IT WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE OF $921.48. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE FUEL PUDDLING ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. I ALSO RETAINED THE REMOVED PART, IN CASE NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT IT. THIS PART (211-470-51-94 WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED UNDER MERCEDES RECAL ON 3/20/2008 AT 62975 MILES. IT HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED 3 MORE TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 112,646

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, GASOLINE WOULD LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

FUEL TANK AND PUMP ASSEMBLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO MASSIVE FUEL LEAK. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AFTER FILLING THE TANK. ODOR HAS PERSISTED FOR A WEEK. REFER TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12001. *TR

Mileage: 94,764

BEGAN NOTING A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE MY VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. ON INVESTIGATION THE BACK SEAT FOAM WAS COMPLETELY SATURATED FROM A LEAK AT THE SEAL ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK UNDER THE SEAT. RESULTED IN A COSTLY REPAIR BILL. AT THE TIME I READ ONLINE OF MANY, MANY SIMILAR SITUATIONS EXPERIENCED BY OTHER MB AMG E55 OWNERS, AS WELL AS THEIR FRUSTRATION THAT MB WAS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. THUS, I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. NO PROBLEM SINCE, ALTHOUGH I AM HESITANT TO FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY AS MANY REPORT A RECURRENCE A COUPLE YEARS AFTER THEIR INITIAL REPAIR. PLEASE ADVISE IF MB RECOGNIZES THIS APPARENT DEFECT AND ISSUES A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

FUEL LEAKS FROM TANK WHEN IT IS FILLED TO THE TOP. CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER AND HAD FUEL TANK SEALS REPLACED TWICE. FUEL PUMPS, GAUGE AND HOSE SYSTEM WAS ALSO REPLACED FOR $1,500. STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IF THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE AFTER FILLING TANK. I KEPT THE PUMP ASSEMBLY AS A SOUVENIR AND SEE THAT MANY PARTS ARE BRITTLE AND PRONE TO CRACKING. MATERIALS IN FUEL PUMPING SYSTEM APPEAR TO BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR DRIVING IN HOT FLORIDA CLIMATE. CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN GARAGE SINCE NEW (EXCEPT AFTER FILLING GAS TANK). *TR

Mileage: 40,000

1ST INCIDENT WAS WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND NOTICED A SLIGHT SCENT OF RAW FUEL,, AS I ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE, EXITING THE VEHICLE THE SMELL OF FUEL WAS MORE EVIDENT, WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE, I SEE A PUDDLE OF GAS STEADILY LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA, I CLEANED UP THE MESS AND IMMEDIATELY HAD IT INSPECTED, INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT PRIMARY FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING CAUSING FUEL TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FUEL TANK AREA DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND OVERFLOWING OUT THROUGH THE CHASSIS WHEREVER IT COULD FIND A WAY OUT, REPAIR REQUIRED COMPLETE FUEL PUMP WITH SENDING UNIT, AS IT IS A ONE PIECE DESIGN, AFTER ALL SAID AND DONE, REPAIR ESTIMATE $1,800. 2ND INCIDENT, 8/?/2012 SAME AS DESCRIBED IN 1ST INCIDENT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FUEL LEAK OCCURRED WHILE REFUELING AT THE GAS STATION,, NO PUDDLE, BUT FAINT SMELL,, DROVE HOME, PARKED IN THE GARAGE, SMELLED FUEL MORE, LOOKING UNDER CAR, OBSERVED GROWING PUDDLE OF FUEL. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED, FUEL LEAKING FROM AROUND FUEL PUMP HOUSING, DETERMINATION WAS FUEL PUMP HOUSING SEAL REPLACEMENT, WHICH AGAIN REQUIRED FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY REMOVAL AND RE-INSTALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF NEW SEAL, OUT OF WARRANTY, PAST 1YEAR WARRANTY BY A FEW MONTHS, $1200 REPAIR, MOSTLY LABOR, PART COST $20....SEEMED TO CORRECT FUEL LEAK FOR NOW.....FUEL SMELL HAS NOT GONE AWAY.... *TR

Mileage: 73,000

UPON FILLING THE FUEL TANK, THERE IS AN OBVIOUS ODOR OF FUEL WHICH IS NOTICED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE BUT DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT WHERE IT'S COMING FROM. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ALL THE RECALLS OR SAFETY RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE ALREADY. BUT THE ODOR OF GAS IS VERY STRONG AND NOT RESOLVED YET. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

MOST TIMES WHEN I FILL THE VEHICLE WITH GAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMANATES FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLES SPECIFICALLY AT THE LEFT REAR CORNER BUT IT CAN ALSO BE SMELLED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. MOST TIMES THE VAPOR WILL DISAPPEAR WITHIN A FEW DAYS. SOMETIMES (CURRENTLY) THE SMELL HASN'T DISAPPEARED IN OVER A WEEK (AND THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING ON LOW FUEL). *TR

Mileage: 101,000

FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING RAW FUEL UNDER CAR CAUSING EXPLOSION HAZARD THAT COULD LEAD TO FATALITY. *TR

Mileage: 47,488

EVERY TIME I FILL THE TANK, I GET A STRONG FUEL SMELL. RECALL WAS PERFORMED INSERT IN FUEL FITTING, NOT THE PROBLEM. SERVICE CENTER FOUND "COVER PLATES LEAKING ON BOTH SIDES, REPLACED FUEL PUMPS, INSTALLED UPDATED CONTACT PLATE AND SEAL. CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND NONE FOUND." FILLED TANK AND STRONG FUEL SMELL RETURNED IMMEDIATELY. FOUND OUT BY EXPERIENCE NEVER TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE WITH A FULL TANK OR THE HOUSE WILL BE FILLED WITH FUEL SMELL. POOR DESIGN FUEL SYSTEM IN THE E CLASS MERCEDES, SOMEDAY ONE WILL CAUSE AN EXPLOSION, DO NOT PARK IN ATTACHED/BASEMENT GARAGE! *TR

Mileage: 68,849

PLEASE REFERENCE THE NHTSA ACTION# PE12001 SPONTANEOUS FUEL LEAK FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK UPON FILLING UP. TOOK CAR TO DEALER, THEY STATED FUEL NOTED ON TOP OF TANK. REQUIRED FUEL SENDER UNIT REPLACEMENT, NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

GAS IS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK AFTER THE VEHICLE IS FILLED UP. IF YOU FILL UP AND LET IT SIT OVERNIGHT IN THE GARAGE YOU WAKE UP TO RAW FUEL LEAKING OUT UNDER THE CAR UNDER THE REAR SEAT DRIVER SIDE. WE HAVE HAD 6 FUEL PUMPS, SENDING UNITS AND LEVEL SENSORS REPLACED IN THE GAS TANK THE LAST 3 YEARS. THEN THE GAS TANK ITSELF WAS CHANGED ALONG WITH NEW SENSORS AND PUMPS. IT STARTED LEAKING A YEAR LATER. SAME SITUATION IF YOU FILL THE CAR UP IT STARTS TO LEAK. WHEN WILL THIS SITUATION BE FIXED. MBUSA HAS FAILED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS THAT HAVE PAID UPWARDS OF 90,000 DOLLARS FOR THESE VEHICLES. WHY? SO THAT MBUSA CAN SHOW THE NHTSA PEOPLE "LOOK WE HAVE NO WARRANTY CLAIMS ON FILE" JUST READ THE COMPLAINTS OF 2003-2006 E55 OWNERS. NOW THE NEWER E63 GAS TANKS ARE STARTING TO LEAK AS THE VEHICLES REACH 4 YEARS OF AGE. JUST LIKE OUR E55 STARTED TO LEAK AT 4YRS AND 50K MILES. HOW MUCH RED TAPE DOES NHTSA HAVE TO GO THRU? YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF LEAKING E55S ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND YOU DO NOTHING? *TR

Mileage: 73,593

STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE OF THE CAR, TRUNK AND INSIDE THE CAR. MY WIFE FILLED THE CAR WITH CLOSE TO FULL TANK DUE TO RECENT CA GAS PRICES JUMPING 50C IN ONE WEEK. I HAVE TRIED TO VENTILATE THE VEHICLE AND PARK OUTSIDE, BUT THE SMELL IS STILL VERY STRONG. THERE NEEDS TO BE RECALL FOR THE FAILING TANK OR SENDER UNIT. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

IN HOT WEATHER OR WHEN I PUT MORE THAN HALF TANK OF GAS IN MY CAR, I HAVE VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR AND FUEL DROPS UNDER THE CAR AND SMELL INSIDE. I'VE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER, THEY'VE SAID THAT RECALL ON MY CAR WAS FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND THAT'S THE END OF IT. BUT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT, SINCE IT HAPPEN FIRST TIME, MY KIDS AND MY WIFE ARE NOR ALLOWED TO DRIVE WITH ME. I ONLY USE IT MYSELF TO GO TO WORK AND BACK. *TR

Mileage: 45,107

EACH TIME I FILL THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, ESPECIALLY UNTIL THE TANK IS FULL, I HAVE A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS ON A FULL TANK, AND THE LESS FUEL I HAVE THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY. MOST LIKELY A LEAK OF FUEL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. REF: NHTSA ACTION# PE12001. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

MY PARENT FILLED UP THE CAR AND PARKED IN GARAGE. UPON RETURNING TO THE GARAGE, THEY EXPERIENCED THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLING THE GARAGE. THEIR HOME HEATING SYSTEM IS CONTAINED IN A SPACE ATTACHED TO THE GARAGE SO THEY HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT AN APPARENT FUEL LEAK. *TR

Mileage: 80,500

REFERENCE PE12001 GASOLINE STARTED POURING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER THE REAR SEAT BENCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. EXTREME GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AT THE SAME TIME OF INCIDENT. ISSUE IS ONGOING. CALLED MERCEDES BENZ OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL 2008020001 WAS DONE ON THIS CAR IN 2008. BUT THAT THE RECURRENT PROBLEM "FIX" WOULD BE OUT OF MY POCKET. I CALLED MBUSA AND DOCUMENTED MY COMPLAIN BUT THEY WOULD TAKE NO ACTION. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THE E CLASS W211 MERCEDES BENZ FROM 2003 - ON. CARS THAT HAVE BEEN "FIXED" START DUMPING FUEL INTO THE CABIN WITHIN THE NEXT 10,000 MILES OR SO. ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS TO DRIVE OVER A LIT UP CIGARETTE AT LOW SPEED AND THE OCCUPANTS CAN BE IN DANGER OF BODILY INJURIES OR DEATH. *TR

Mileage: 63,500