2005 MERCEDES BENZ AMG E55 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

Fuel pump housing failed allowing gas to leak, further degrading parts of the fuel system, ultimately causing the locking ring to fail and gas to leak under rear passenger seat. Fumes filled the cabin while my family and I including two young children were inside. Fortunately, this issue was discovered rather quick, if not the fuel could have leaked onto the hot exhaust under the tank and ignited. I recently found this issue is well known in the Mercedes-Benz W211 chassis. You have multiple complaints on file. Mercedes had in fact issued an extended warranty of the fuel system however, it has since expired. The car provided no warning messages prior to failure. The car has yet to be inspected by the dealer, mechanic, or insurance.

Gas tank leak from under heat Shield Recall claims in 2012 it was extended for 15 years

SHARP GAS ODER WHEN ENTERING THE CAR CABIN AND DRIVING

Mileage: 145,400

AFTER FILLING VEHICLE GAS TANK, EXTREMELY STRONG FUEL ODOR NOTICED IN CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. SMELL EXISTED BOTH AT STANDSTILL AND AT STREET SPEEDS (40MPH) WITH WINDOWS DOWN OR UP. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

STRONG GAS ODOR AROUND AND INSIDE THE CAR

Mileage: 87,000

WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS, GAS LEAKED OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE FUEL SENDER/FILTER IS LOCATED. THE FUEL WICKED UP THE FOAM WRAPPED AROUND THE SIGNAL/ POWER WIRES, CAME BETWEEN THE ACCESS PANEL SCREWED TO THE FLOOR AND THE FLOOR. THIS IS THE FLOOR DIRECTLY UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE FUEL SOAKED INTO THE INSULATION BELOW THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND THE FOAM SEAT. THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR AT ALL TIMES UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL REACHES APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF A TANK.

Mileage: 64,000

GASOLINE SMELL INTERIOR OF THE CAR. GETS WORSE WITH FULL GAS TANK. WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE MERCEDES DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT FIXED.

I HAD FILLED MY GAS TANK TO FULL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A LEAK BY THE DRIVERS REAR WHEEL. SMELLED LIKE GAS. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A RECALL FROM MERCEDES BENZ. "CHECK FUEL FILTER MODULE ASSEMBLY AND REPAIR OR REPLACE IF NECESSARY" THE EMISSION RECALL CAMPAIGN IS: 2008020001

Mileage: 80,900

STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING TANK, DRIVERS SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON DRIVERS SIDE OF FUEL TANK LEAKING FUEL. NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN CORNERS OF UNIT AROUND FUEL PRESSURE SENDER.

Mileage: 154,000

DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL/PUMP SENDER UNIT IS LEAKING FUEL CAUSING STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF CABIN AND POSING SERIOUS SECURITY RISK TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. AFTER REMOVING INSPECTION COVER FROM DRIVER'S SIDE PUMP/SENDER UNIT, POOLED FUEL WAS OBSERVED ON TOP OF SENDING UNIT.

Mileage: 103,000

FUEL FILTER AND SENDING UNIT LEAKING UNDER REAR SEAT. BOTH PARTS REPLACED. REAR SEAT CUSHION SATURATED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO STRONG FUEL SMELL IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE SERVICE HISTORY SHOWS SAME PART REPLACED AT 26,864 MILES BY PREVIOUS OWNER. SAME PART REPLACED AGAIN AT 69,383 MILES WITH SAME LEAKING ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 48,745

I SMELLED A GAS ORDER THAT WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. I DECIDED TO PULL THE PASSENGER SEAT TO FOLLOW THE SMELL AND NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GAS ON TOP OF MY FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT. I DECIDED TO PULL OUT THE UNIT AND NOTICED THE UNIT WAS DISCOLORED AROUND THE CONNECTOR TERMINALS. I BELIEVE THE TERMINAL MELTED THE SENDING UNIT CAUSING THE SENDING UNIT TO LEAK FUEL. I HAVE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

I FILLED MY TANK WITH GAS DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. LATER I WENT OUT TO THE GARAGE AND SMELLED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GAS. I THOUGHT MY HUSBAND MIGHT HAVE LEFT A CONTAINER OF GAS IN THE GARAGE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I WENT TO A FRIENDS HOME IN THE COUNTRY SIDE AND NOTICED AN INTENSE SMELL OF FUEL IN MY CAR. I THOUGHT SOMEHOW MAYBE MY HUSBAND TRANSPORTED GAS IN A CONTAINER IT THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, BUT HE HAD NOT. I HAD TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE ON THE RETURN TRIP NOT ONLY WAS THE GAS SMELL MORE INTENSE, BUT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. IMMEDIATELY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CAME CHANGED THE TIRE AND TOOK US HOME AND DROVE THE CAR TO THE MB DEALERSHIP. I PAID FOR A NEW TANK TO BE INSTALLED AND THEY PAID TO REMOVE THE PADDING AND LINER AND REPLACE IT FROM THE SEAT BEHIND THE TANK. FROM 2010 TO 2014 THREE MORE EVENTS OF FUEL SMELL IN AND OUT OF THE CAR AFTER FILLING THE TANK HAVE SINCE OCCURRED AND REQUIRED REPAIR. ONCE IT WAS SAID TO BE THE LINES OR INJECTION SYSTEM. AFTER THE LINES WERE REPAIRED THOUGH THE SMELL REMAINED AND THIS WAS SOLVED BY PLACING A NEW TANK AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2012. THE LATEST LEAK OCCURRED JUST AS THE FIRST, AND ON NOVEMBER 7, 2014 A NEW TANK HAS NOT BEEN PLACED YET. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS INTOLERABLY CAUSTIC WITH GAS FUMES. I AM OUT OF WARRANTY AND AM DRIVING AN EXPLOSIVE TIME BOMB FILLED WITH CARCINOGENIC PETROLEUM. THESE CARS NEED A RECALL. I SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT FOR THIS DANGEROUS HAZARD. THE TANK FUEL LEAK FOR THE S CLASS AND E CLASS SPANNING 2003-2008 IS DISCUSSED ON MERCEDES BENZ FORUMS, AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

TOPPED THE GAS TANK WITH GASOLINE ON 11/02/14, ONLY TO FIND THE SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. LATER THAT SAME DAY MY WIFE AND KID NOTICED THE SMELL AS WELL AND THAT MADE IT A CONCERN FOR ME TO FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER A SNIFF TEST, I LOCATED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL EMITTING FROM UNDER THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT. I DETACHED THE REAR SEAT CUSHION AND THE COVER PLATE THAT CONCEALS THE FUEL SENDER UNIT. WHEN I REMOVED THE COVER PLATE, GASOLINE WAS SITTING ATOP OF THE FUEL SENDER UNIT AND AROUND THE GAS TANK- FUEL SENDER CONNECTION AREA. AT THIS TIME THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS VERY STRONG AND WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT FEED POWER TO THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR WHICH SITS ATOP/CONNECTED TO THE FUEL SENDER UNIT MAKES FOR A VERY EXPLOSIVE SITUATION. AFTER DRYING THE GASOLINE, I NOTICED A LARGE NUMBER OF SMALL HAIR LINE CRACKS ALL AROUND THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDER UNIT. IN THE PROCESS OF PRICING FUEL SENDER UNIT FOR REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT SMELL OF FUEL WHENEVER I GET IN AND OUT OF MY E55. I HAD THE DEALER LOOK IT AT DURING MY LAST SERVICE A MONTH AGO AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG... I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY FUEL LEAKING FROM BELOW THE CAR. AFTER VIEWING THE HUNDREDS OF THREADS AND COMMENTS ON THE FOLLOWING 30 PAGES ON A MERCEDES FORUM, I DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK FOR MYSELF: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-AMG/363759-URGENT-NOTICE-03-06-E55-S-WERE-INVOLVED-FUEL-SENDER-RECALL-BOMBS.HTML WHEN I TOOK OFF THE METAL COVERS ON TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE SENDING UNITS I FOUND FRESH FUEL ON TOP OF BOTH UNITS. THE PASSENGER WAS VERY LITTLE. THE DRIVER SIDE WAS SIGNIFICANT AND SQUIRTING OUT FROM A PLASTIC NIPPLE THAT IS PART OF THE SENDING UNIT. MERCEDES REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BASED ON THE 30+ PAGES FOUND ON THE LINK ABOVE. YOUR ORGANIZATION IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, THERE IS EVEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MBNA. I WILL HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE BY MY OWN MECHANIC BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO PUT UP WITH AN ARROGANT SERVICE ADVISOR WHO WILL SURELY DENY THIS IS WAS EVER A PROBLEM ON THE W211 E55 MERCEDES. I THINK ITS TIME THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION FORCE MBUSA/MBNA TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 85,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

JUST FOUND OUT MY FUEL SENDING UNITS ARE LEAKING, STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL.. HG MOTORSORTS DIAGNOSED, WILL BE TAKING TO ACG AUTOMOTIVE FOR SECOND OPINION.. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK...STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

FUEL LEAK IN SENDING UNIT ABOVE GAS TANK. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN CAR AND GAS LEAKING IN MY GARAGE. TOOK IT TO MERCEDES BENZ OF COLORADO SPRINGS AND IT TOOK THREE VISITS TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN 2009. NOW 9/14/14 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CAR AND FUEL LEAKING IN THE SENDING UNIT ALL THE WAY TO THE FOAM OF THE BACK SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. REGARDING THE INTERIOR, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LEAKING SEAL AT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT. THE SEAL AT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT WAS REPLACED IN MARCH 2010. THIS PROBLEM RECURRED IN LATE 2013. IN MARCH 2014 THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, FUEL PUMP LOCK RING AND FUEL SENDER SEAL WERE ALL REPLACED WITH NEW PARTS. THE PROBLEM HAS RE-APPEARED AGAIN. REGARDING THE EXTERIOR SMELL IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AT THE FUEL TANK VENT AREA. THIS WAS INITIALLY MANAGEABLE BY KEEPING THE FUEL LEVEL BELOW 3/4 FULL. IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AT ANY FUEL LEVEL. THIS OVERWHELMING FUEL SMELL WILL COMPLETELY ENVELOP THE ENTIRE GARAGE WITHIN 15 -20 MINUTES AND POSSESSES AN EXTREME HEALTH RISK AND POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. THE LEVEL OF EXTERIOR ODOR NOW IS SO HIGH THAT IT PENETRATES INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STANDING STILL, IN MOTION AND WITH THE ENGINE ON OR OFF. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM IS COMMON TO THIS MODEL MERCEDES BENZ AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OR COMMUNICATION FROM MERCEDES BENZ AT ANY TIME REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR

Mileage: 55,675

AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK TO FULL, I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED A DISTINCT GASOLINE SMELL IN THE GARAGE A FEW HOURS LATER. THE NEXT MORNING, THE SMELL IN THE GARAGE WAS EVEN STRONGER AND UPON OPENING THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE GAS SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS STRONGEST INSIDE. IN NOVEMBER 2012, CROWN AUTOMOBILE, A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP, PERFORMED SERVICE ON THE CAR AND "FOUND THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR SEAL LEAKING". THE SEAL WAS REPLACED AND THE FUEL TANK WAS REFILLED AND CHECKED FOR LEAKS. AT THAT TIME, NO LEAKS WERE FOUND. HOWEVER, THE SMELL HAS REAPPEARED AND IS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A STRONG OF ODOR FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

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

Mileage: 87,000

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

Mileage: 102,100

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND INSIDE THE GARAGE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED THE COMPONENT. THE FAILURE LATER RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD MALFUNCTIONED A SECOND TIME, AND BOTH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

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

Mileage: 68,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SENDING UNIT, AND FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 60,000

STARTED TO SMELL GAS FUMES IN THE GARAGE AFTER DRIVING. CONDITION WORSENED QUICKLY WITHIN WEEKS AND FILLED MY GARAGE WITH FUMES WHERE MY HOME WATER HEATER IS PLACED. DID RESEARCH SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FUEL LEAKS OUT OF THE SENDING UNIT AND COMPLAINTS THAT MB REPLACED THE UNIT WITH THE SAME FAULTY UNIT SO THE CONDITION WILL REAPPEAR....VERY DANGEROUS. THIS CAUSES FAULT CODES, THE ENGINE DOES NOT GET GASOLINE AND SPUTTERS AND CUTS OUT. I HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF THE FIRE/EXPLOSION POTENTIAL. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY ADVISED THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ONCE ALREADY AND WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR. DEALER SENT THIS EMAIL QOUTE UNQOUTE: "BOTH SENDER UNITS FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM ARE BOTH LEAKING FROM WHERE IT EXITS THE TANK. THEY REQUIRE REPLACING THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF NEGLECTED. PARTS AND LABOR IS $1946.08 PARTS ARE SPECIAL ORDER AND I CAN HAVE THE VEHICLE DONE WEDNESDAY. PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK SO WE CAN GET THE CAR BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE." OBVIOUSLY, NO MENTION OF RECALL OR THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH ME. HERE IS MY RESPONSE: MB RECALL CAMPAIGN #2008-020001 FROM 2008.

Mileage: 130,000

AFTER I FINISHED PUMPING FUEL MY PASSENGER IN THE BACK SMELLED GASOLINE. I HAD JUST PUT FUEL SO I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS SOAKED WITH GASOLINE. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. SEEMS THERE IS A HOLE NEAR WHERE THE GAS ENTERS THE PIPE THAT GOES DOWN TO THE GAS TANK.

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE INVESTIGATION NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

NOXIOUS GASOLINE ODOR EMITTING INTO CABIN. LIFTED UP REAR SEAT TO FIND PUDDLE OF GASOLINE GATHERING ON TOP OF FUEL TANK, LEAKING FROM FUEL PUMP UNIT. REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

ON HOT DAYS THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR. WHICH MAKES THE CAR UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE AND NOT SURE IF IT'S SAFE! OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL OF CAR HAVE REPORTED THIS AND CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL. LEAKING FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AND INDEPENDENT SHOPS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE IN COLORADO. *TR

Mileage: 75,690

ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THERE WAS A FAINT SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CAR THEN EARLY LAST WEEK ON A SHORT TRIP <2MILES THE SMELL OF FUEL BECAME SO STRONG THAT IS WAS OVERWHELMING AND NAUSEATING AND I HAD TO RETURN HOME. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH I PULLED THE BACK SEAT AND COVERS AND BOTH FUEL UNITS ON TOP OF THE TANK HAD LARGE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE ON TOP OF THEM. PLEASE HELP GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I NOTICED A GAS SMELL IN MY CAR. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE IT ORIGINATED FROM. I ARRANGED FOR MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SERVICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE. FIRST TIME THEY THOUGHT THEY FIXED IT AND UPON RETURNING HOME I NOTICED THE SMELL DIDN'T GO AWAY. IT TURNED OUT THEY ONLY FIXED PART OF THE PROBLEM AND I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE COMPLETE PROBLEM WITH GAS LEAKING UNDER THE REAR SEATS AND IT WAS PUDDLING ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. MY TOTAL COST TO REPAIR ISSUE WAS APPROX $1,200 SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. OH, I WAS THE FIRST OWNER AND THE CAR WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED I WAS NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP WAS BEING SOLD AND WAS OFFER A LARGE DISCOUNT TO TRADE THIS CAR IN FOR A NEW MERCEDES S550. I BELIEVE I CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE BILLS AS IT IS A LITTLE OVER A YEAR SINCE THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY DELETE ALL PREVIOUS REPAIRS WORK ORDERS IF I SOLD THE CAR....HUM? *TR

Mileage: 47,000

FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVED A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM INTERIOR OF CAR. TOOK CAR IN TO MB DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A LEAK THAT ALLOWED GAS TO SPILL OUT INTO THE CAR UNDER THE REAR SEATS. ALSO, THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THAT WAS DONE AT A $1400 COST OUT OF POCKET. WITHIN A YEAR, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP HANDLED THE COST ON THIS AS THE PART WAS UNDER 1 YEAR WARRANTY. NOW, WITHIN THE SAME YEAR, THE SAME ISSUE HAS COME ABOUT. I SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT THEIR ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. MB IS NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND TAKE CARE OF THE COST. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY FOR THE SAME REPAIR 3 TIMES IN A 3 YEAR SPAN. NOT TO MENTION THE HEALTH, ENVIROMENTAL HAZARD, AND POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THIS CAN CAUSE. *TR

Mileage: 75,201

I SMELL FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR AFTER FILLING THE TANK. I SMELL THIS MORE IN COOLER MONTHS THAN WARMER MONTHS. I'VE BEEN SMELLING FUEL FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND DID SOME RESEARCH. THE FAULT POINTS TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. I'M WAGERING THAT WHEN I REMOVE THE BACK SEAT, I'M GOING TO FIND EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK LIKE MANY OTHERS ONLINE HAVE FOUND. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY RECORDED ACCIDENTS THAT I'M AWARE OF. IT'S USED PREMIUM FUEL SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR AT 50,000 MILES. I NOW HAVE OVER 163,000. I ALSO TAKE ADDITIONAL INTEREST IN THE FUEL ISSUE NOW THAT I HAVE A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT THAT HAS ALSO COMMENTED ABOUT THE SMELL. *TR

Mileage: 163,500

FUEL SYSTEM DEVELOPED LEAK, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. LEAKAGE STILL IS OCCURRING, HOWEVER. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AFTER CONDUCTING INTERNET RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND HAVE LEARNED IT IS A FAULTY GAS TANK. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AT OR NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. MERCEDES STATES THIS IS NOT A WIDESPREAD ISSUE BUT AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH THIS IS HAPPENING WITH ALL E-CLASS MODELS BUILT IN 2005. THERE IS A GAS ODOR THAT PERMEATES THE CAR AND MERCEDES REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY ITEM AND I SPENT $95,000 ON MY CAR AND IT IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

THE FUEL TANK ON THIS VEHICLE LEAKS WHENEVER THE TANK IS FILLED TO THE TOP. THE LEAK OCCURS INDEPENDENTLY OF WHETHER THE CAR IS DRIVEN OR PARKED (ENGINE OFF). ENOUGH FUEL LEAKS OUT THAT IT RUNS DOWN ADJACENT COMPONENTS, TO THE CAR'S UNDERCARRIAGE PANELING, AND THROUGH A WEEP HOLE ON THE CAR'S PLASTIC PANELING, AND FINALLY ONTO THE GROUND. THE NOXIOUS ODOR OF RAW FUEL IS PLAINLY APPARENT IN AND AROUND THE CAR WHENEVER IT'S LEAKING. THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING IS TO NOT FILL THE TANK TO THE TOP. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE I'VE OWNED IT. I BOUGHT IT IN 2009 WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM EXISTED WITH THE ORIGINAL FUEL TANK, AND FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WAS INSTALLED ON THE CAR WHEN IT WAS BEING ASSEMBLED. SINCE THEN I'VE REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL SENDING UNIT GASKET IN HOPES OF CURING THE PROBLEM. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL SENDING UNIT IS NON-OEM. THE REPLACEMENT GASKET IS OEM. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

STRONG GAS SMELL AFTER FILLING UP TO MAX EACH TIME, BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE CAR. GAS SMELL ONLY GO AWAY WHEN THE FIRST BAR OF GAS METER IS GONE. NOT SAFE TO PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE IT MIGHT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

WHEN I FILL UP THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THIS MADE ME DIZZY AND NAUSEOUS AND COULD HAVE LEAD TO LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT ALSO IS AN EMISSION VIOLATION FOR MERCEDES TO SELL THEIR CARS IN THIS COUNTRY WITH SERIOUS SAFETY AND EMISSION DEFECTS LIKE THESE "HIGH END" CARS HAVE. PLEASE BE OUR ADVOCATE AND MAKE MERCEDES PAY FOR THEIR FAILURE TO ENGINEER A SOUND FILE SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR BEING EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT BOTH FUEL SENDING UNITS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000. *TR

Mileage: 57,000

VEHICLE EXHIBITS STRONG GAS SMELL OUTSIDE REAR RIGHT SIDE AND NOW MOST RECENTLY UNDER THE HOOD,,, FUEL SENDING UNITS UNDER THE REAR SEAT ARE DRY W/ NO VISIBLE FUEL OR POOLING OF FUEL,,, PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT AFTER FILL UP,,, IN FACT I TYPICALLY DON'T TOP OFF THE TANK B/C OF THIS ISSUE,,, VEHICLE DID HAVE WARRANTY WORK FOR DEFECTIVE GAS TANK ISSUES AT APPROX 30,000, I DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM THEN BUT THERE WAS A TROUBLE LIGHT ON THE DASH AND THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FUEL RELATED,,, *TR

Mileage: 52,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NO FEWER THAN 4 TIMES FOR VARIOUS FUEL SYSTEM RELATED ISSUES. THE SYMPTOMS OF EACH PART FAILURE INVOLVE A PERVASIVE GAS SMELL FILLING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, AND GASOLINE USUALLY POOLS UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE SMELL IS SO POTENT THAT THE CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE, AND THE POOLING OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN MUST BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE GAS TANK, FUEL SENDERS, FUEL PUMP, CHARCOAL FILTERS, AND GASKET BETWEEN THE TANK AND FUEL SENDERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE HAD TO FIGHT TO HAVE THIS PAID FOR UNDER MY EXISTING MERCEDES BENZ EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN JULY OF 2013, AND I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. MY MOST RECENT DEALER VISIT FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS 2 DAYS AGO. NOTHING WAS REPLACED, AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT OEM PARTS REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN USED TO FIX THE ISSUE EACH TIME...WHICH IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CONTINUE TO FAIL. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FUEL LEAK AND ALSO FUEL WAS VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED BOTH FUEL TANK SENDER UNITS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

NHTSA ACTION #PE12001. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK OVER 3/4 FULL THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE THE CAR FROM THE DRIVER REAR WHEEL WELL AREA. THE ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT THE CAR CANNOT BE PARKED IN A CLOSED GARAGE. THE ODOR PERSISTS UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL IS BACK BELOW 3/4 FULL. THE ISSUE REPEATS CONSISTENTLY EVERY TIME IT IS FILLED OVER 3/4 FULL SO I AM UNABLE TO EVER FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY. THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN #2008020001 FOR THE FUEL FILTER MODULE WAS PERFORMED AT PARK PLACE MERCEDES IN AUGUST 2008. SHORTLY AFTERWARD I STARTED GETTING SOME BAD FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR SO THE WORK WAS REDONE BE THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2008. THE ISSUE REAPPEARED IN 2012 ABOUT 30K MILES LATER. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION# PE12001 FUEL SMELL STRONGEST IN LEFT REAR SEAT AREA. REMOVED SEAT, OPENED COVER OVER FUEL PUMP AND FOUND FUEL SITTING EXPOSED. REMOVED THE SITTING FUEL, AND DID RESEARCH. FOUND MANY SUCH COMPLAINTS THAT MATCH MY SITUATION. IF I DON'T FILL THE FUEL TANK FOR AN EXTENDED TIME, THE FUEL SMELL DISSIPATES, BUT ANY TIME I FILL THE FUEL TANK, THE NOXIOUS FUEL SMELL RETURNS WITHIN HOURS AND IS OBVIOUS AS SOON AS OPENING THE LEFT REAR DOOR. PREVIOUS OWNER HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AND HAD FUEL PUMP/SENDER REPLACED APR. 2012 COSTING $1000. *TR

Mileage: 94,592

THE FUEL SENDING UNITS EVENTUALLY GET CRACKS WHICH ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK AND POOL THROUGHOUT THE REAR OF THE CAR. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON MY CAR TWICE PREVIOUSLY. MAY 2010 BOTH FUEL SENDING UNITS REPLACED AND FUEL RING ($2200) FEB 2012 BOTH FUEL SENDING UNITS REPLACED AND THE RING AGAIN (ONLY $1953 THIS TIME) I HAVE BEGUN SMELLING FUEL AGAIN SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED FOR A 3RD TIME. THIS SMELL IS NOTED AT HOME AWAY FROM ANY FUEL SOURCES. I HAVE A 500HP CAR THAT STORES FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK....ITS LIKE I'M DRIVING AROUND A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL. *TR

Mileage: 43,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E55 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR COULD BE NOTICED WHEN IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

Mileage: 54,000

MY CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MERCEDES BENZ TO ADDRESS A HEAVY GASOLINE VAPOR EACH YEAR SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED THREE TIMES AND IS ONLY RESOLVED FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS OR LESS WHEN IT STARTS AGAIN. THE SEVERITY IS GRADUAL OVER TIME UNTIL THE VAPOR BECOMES SO STRONG I CAN SMELL IT IN MY HOME EXUDING FROM THE GARAGE. I CAN ONLY CONTROL THE GASOLINE VAPOR BY KEEPING A QUARTER TANK OF GAS OR LESS. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO MERCEDES FOR THE 4TH TIME THIS UPCOMING WEEK. AS A PHYSICIAN I UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF GAS VAPOR AND ITS TOXIC DAMAGE TO THE BODY AND OUR ENVIRONMENT. I ALSO KNOW I CANNOT BE THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE WITH THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 45,000

COMPLAINT # PE12001 I NOTICED OCCASIONAL FUEL SMELL ORIGINALLY 2-3 MONTHS AGO. INITIALLY SMELLS WERE MILD, NOW SMELLS ARE NOXIOUS AND GETTING WORSE. AT MY LAST 10K MILES OIL CHANGE, DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM AND PROGRESSION GETTING WORSE WITH MY MERCEDES CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE REAR SEAT WAS REMOVED, TO FIND THE UPPER PART OF FUEL CELL UNDER PASSENGER SEAT, WITH DETERIORATION OF UPPER PART OF FUEL CELL PLASTIC. THERE WAS ACTUALLY A GAS "PUDDLE" VISIBLE THAT HAD SEEPED THROUGH THE TOP OF FUEL CELL/SENDING UNIT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, RISK OF FIRE, AND ALSO CAUSING HEADACHES FROM NOXIOUS SMELL OF GAS !!! WHAT CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS, GAS LEAKING, AND SEEPING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF AN AUTOMOBILE ??? PLEASE INTERVENE WITH THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL BEFORE DEATHS OCCUR TO A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN SUBSTANDARD PARTS PURCHASED TO A FUEL CELL FROM MANUFACTURER MERCEDES BENZ !! THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED MANY MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 630,000

I GET A GAS SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR ONLY AFTER I FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS. I DO NOT TAP IT OFF I WAIT UNTIL THE GAS PUMP CUTS OFF. THE GAS SMELL ONLY LAST UNTIL THE 1ST BAR IS GONE ON THE GAUGE. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT GASOLINE PUDDLES ON TOP OF FUEL MODULE UNDERNEATH ACCESS COVER ON DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER REAR SEAT. THE CAR ALSO CAUSES A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAR CATCHING FIRE OR IT CAUSES A FIRE IN MY HOUSE WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THIS DEFECT, BUT INDICATED THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 85,400

THERE WASN'T ACTUALLY A PARTICULAR INCIDENT, PER SE. MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE FUEL TANK IN MY CAR LEAKING. WHEN I FILL THE CAR AL THE WAY UP WITH FUEL, GAS LEAKS OUT ONTO THE SUSPENSION, UNDERCARRIAGE AND THE GROUND. THIS IS DUE TO A STRESS FRACTURE THAT HAS DEVELOPED ON THE TOP OF THE TANK BY THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE, MODEL AND RANGE OF YEARS (2003 - 2006) OF MY CAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO DEATHS, INJURY AND UNNECESSARY ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. I WAS TOLD TO REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION #PE12001. DURING 2009, AT APPROXIMATELY 31K MILES ON THE VEHICLE (2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55), A STRONG FUEL SMELL/ODOR WAS EVIDENT IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE SMELL WAS STRONGEST AT THE REAR SEAT DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF A SERVICE ADVISOR AT A MERCEDES BENZ AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER. AN OPEN RECALL WAS INDICATED TO REPLACE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FUEL SENDER UNITS IN THE FUEL TANK, LOCATED BELOW THE REAR SEAT. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT 31,300 MILES AND WHILE THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT REPLACED, THE PROBLEM DID APPEAR TO BE RESOLVED. DURING 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES, THE SAME STRONG FUEL SMELL/ODOR IN THE PASSENGER CABIN REOCCURRED, SUBSEQUENT TO THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRATION DATE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, AFTER REMOVING THE REAR SEAT BOTTOM AND DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ACCESS PANELS, IT WAS IMMEDIATELY APPARENT FUEL HAD COLLECTED/POOLED IN A CAVITY ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT IS LOCATED--ULTIMATELY CONFIRMING SOME TYPE OF FUEL LEAK. WHEN INSPECTING THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL SENDER UNIT, THE AREA APPEARED TO BE DRY WITH NO FUEL LEAKING ON THAT SIDE. AFTER THIS INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED, THE POOLED FUEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED AND THE SURROUNDING AREA WAS CLEANED AND DRIED BEFORE REINSTALLING THE ACCESS PANELS AND REAR SEAT BOTTOM. CURRENTLY AT 54K MILES, THE FUEL LEAK HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT LESSENED/AVOIDED BY ONLY FILLING THE FUEL TANK TO NO MORE THAN 3/4 CAPACITY (OR, ABOUT 15 GALLONS OUT OF 21). THERE REMAINS, HOWEVER, A SLIGHT FUEL SMELL/ODOR REOCCURRING DURING INSTANCES WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS IN THE SUMMER HEAT. ALSO, WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO CAPACITY, THE STRONG FUEL SMELL/ODOR IMMEDIATELY RETURNS AND AGAIN REQUIRES THE UNSETTLING TASK OF CLEANING UP THE LEAKED FUEL. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

IN THE ORIGINAL INSTANCE, WHICH HAPPENED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, EVERY TIME THAT I WOULD DO A COMPLETE FILL UP WITH GAS, THE CAR WOULD SMELL LIKE GAS HORRIBLY IN THE CABIN AS WELL AS OUTSIDE THE CAR. AFTER THAT STARTED HAPPENING, I REFRAINED FROM FILLING THE CAR UP COMPLETELY TO AVOID THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND MY CAR HAS ROUGHLY 132000 MILES ON IT. I FILLED UP MY CAR AND NOTICED A HORRIBLE GAS SMELL. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED VERY LARGE PUDDLES OF GAS LITERALLY RUNNING AWAY FROM MY CAR. MY CAR IS LEAKING GAS PROFUSELY ONLY UPON COMPLETE FILL UP. IT IS COMING FROM BENEATH THE CAR UNDER WHAT WOULD BE THE REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT, NEARLY IN LINE WITH THE REAR WHEELS. THIS ITEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED ONCE BEFORE BY THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IN BAKERSFIELD, CA. I PAID FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIR IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. *TR

Mileage: 132,000

AFTER FILLING UP THE GASOLINE TANK, THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO EMIT A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH WILL LAST APPROXIMATELY 2-3 DAYS UNTIL THE GASOLINE TANK BEGINS TO EMPTY OUT, THEN THE FUEL SMELL WILL GO AWAY UNTIL THE I FILL THE TANK AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR HAS SMELLED OF FUEL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND DURING THESE EVENTS. THE SMELL WAS MOST EVIDENT AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED WHEN COMING TO STOP. THE SMELL IS STRONGEST INSIDE THE CAR AND IS VERY WORRY SOME. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR STORIES WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING LINK ON MBWORLD.ORG: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-AMG/363759-URGENT-NOTICE-03-06-E55S-WERE-INVOLVED-FUEL-SENDER-RECALL-BOMBS.HTML I AM NOW VERY WORRIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE KNOWING THAT SOME E-CLASS (W211), ESPECIALLY THE E55 MODELS HAVE BURST INTO FLAMES. I ALSO KNOW THAT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ALSO EXISTS AGAINST MB NA. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS COMPLAINT AND THE MANY OTHERS BEFORE MORE AMERICAN MOTORISTS GET INJURED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 56,540

THE FUEL SENSOR FAILED, RESULTING IF FUEL LEAKS. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS AND MERCEDES DENIES THE PROBLEM. AMAZING THAT SUCH A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IS BEING IGNORED AND DENIED BY MERCEDES. THIS IS SO PREVALENT, IN A PRETTY RARE CAR, THAT MY DEALER STOCKS THE REPAIR PARTS. EVEN MY SERVICE ADVISER WAS SURPRISED THEY DID. IN READING MERCEDES' RESPONSE TO THE INVESTIGATION, IT IS ALMOST A JOKE. THEY CLAIM THAT SINCE THIS ISN'T DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL, THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE. THAT MAKE ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. PERHAPS IT ISN'T RELATED TO THE RECALL, BUT YOU HAVE 50+ COMPLAINTS FOR A CAR WHERE AROUND 1,500 WERE IMPORTED. ESTIMATING 1 IN 10 PEOPLE ACTUALLY COMPLAIN THAT MEANS THAT 1/3 OF THE CARS HAVE THE PROBLEM. IF IT IS 1 IN 20, THAN 2/3RDS HAVE THE PROBLEM. AT $1000+ TO FIX, MERCEDES IS MAKING A TON OF MONEY ON THEIR FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 75,200

THE FUEL TANK LEAKS FROM THE UPPER VENT WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL. THERE IS A PLASTIC CONNECTION THAT A HOSE CONNECTS TO THAT IS UNDER THE FUEL LEVEL WHEN FULL. THIS FITTING IS PLASTIC WELDED TO THE TANK AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL ON EVERY 211 CHASSIS MERCEDES BENZ EVER MADE. (I WAS AN ASE MASTER MECHANIC THAT SPECIALIZED IN MERCEDES REPAIR FOR OVER 13 YEARS. ) *TR

Mileage: 60,000

NOTICED A GAS SMELL OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT WAS SITTING STILL AND I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND FUEL HAD PUDDLES UP UNDER IT. OPENED THE DOORS AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. PULLED OUT THE REAR SEATS AND LIFTED UP THE LINER UNDER THE SEATS AND NOTICED FUEL WAS POOLED UP IN THE PASSENGER SIDE BOWL UNDER THE SEAT. THE SEAL THAT IS BOLTED DOWN HAS PUSHED OUT AND IS ALLOWING FUEL TO COME INSIDE THE CAR AND HAS SOAKED INTO THE LINER UNDER THE SEAT. ALSO THE BOLT THAT HOLDS DOWN THE SENDING UNIT WILL NOT SCREW INTO THE HOLE DUE TO THE BOLT HOLE BEING STRIPPED OUT. I AM WANTING THIS TO AID IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ IN THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS IN THE 03-06 E SERIES MERCEDES BENZ CARS. *TR

Mileage: 51,500

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

Mileage: 38,000

FUEL VAPOR INSIDE CABIN. DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS TAKEN FOR REPAIR ATTRIBUTES SMELL TO FAULTY SEAL ON FUEL SENDING UNITS, AFFIXED TO TOP OF FUEL TANKS. UNITS ARE ACCESSIBLE INSIDE THE CABIN UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. 2008 RECALL WAS PERFORMED TO REPLACE FAILED FUEL FILTER MODULE, BUT SAME SEALS ARE FAILING AGAIN. DEALERSHIP AND MB WON'T REPLACE AGAIN SINCE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER PREVIOUS RECALL. SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO STRONG FUEL VAPOR IN CABIN, AND LACK OF SUPPORT FROM MB TO CORRECT AN ISSUE THAT HAS RECURRED. *TR

Mileage: 66,500

STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CABIN. OUTSIDE SMELL IS STRONG AT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. CANNOT LEAVE CAR INSIDE OF MY GARAGE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG FUEL ODOR. (ESPECIALLY IF FUEL IS OVER 1/4 TANK) NO VISIBLE LEAKING OF FUEL ON FLOOR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER MERCEDES E55 OWNERS, MANY APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SITTING ON TOP OF SENDER UNITS UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE A NEWBORN BABY THAT I CANNOT TRANSPORT IN THIS CAR DUE TO THE FUMES. I PURCHASED THE MERCEDES FOR SAFETY AND I DON'T THINK RAW FUEL LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER MY BABY IS SAFE. I ALSO SEE A PENDING INVESTIGATION ALREADY OPEN REGARDING THIS MATTER. PLEASE DIRECT MERCEDES TO DO THE PROPER THING AND PERFORM A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 129,898

IN DECEMBER 2011 I DETECTED A STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG THAT I FELT IT WAS IN MY BEST INTEREST TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST EUROPEAN CAR SERVICE CENTER, SINCE THE NEAREST MB SERVICE CENTER IS 45 MINUTES AWAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CHARCOAL FILTERS UNDER THE REAR SEAT WERE LEAKING, CAUSING FUEL TO POOL. WE CALLED THE MB SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CHARCOAL FILTERS BUT IT WAS CLOSED. I WAS INCREDULOUS THAT SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM (ANY LEAKING FUEL ISSUE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SERIOUS) WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED BY MB AND I WAS ON MY OWN. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY TO HAVE THE FILTERS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE OUT OF FEAR OF MY CAR EXPLODING. NOW, JULY 2012, THE CHARCOAL FILTER VALVE IS LEAKING AND CAUSING ANOTHER GAS ODOR. SO I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND A GREAT NUMBER OF OTHER CONSUMERS FACING THE SAME ISSUES AS MYSELF. EVERYONE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES AFTER THE RECALL WAS CLOSED SEEMS TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT, MB REFUSING TO ISSUE ANOTHER RECALL AND/OR COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THAT MB SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING ALL ISSUES RELATED TO LEAKING FUEL FOR THE CONTINUED SAFETY OF ALL MB OWNERS. QUITE FRANKLY, I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR! *JS

Mileage: 101,000

THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SMELL LIKE FUEL WHEN PARKED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AS IF THEIR IS A LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP OR TANK. SOMETIMES THE SMELL IS UNBEARABLE. *JS

Mileage: 69,000

MY CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE INITIAL RECALL COMPLETED IN 2008. RECENTLY I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL COMING FROM MY CAR AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND ACCESS COVER TO THE FUEL PUMP AND NOTICED A LARGE PUDDLE OF GAS ACCUMULATED/LEAKING AROUND THE FUEL PUMP SENDER UNIT AREA. ALSO THE PRODUCTION DATE OF THE PARTS WERE 2004, SO IT IS LIKELY THE DEALER DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BACK IN 2008. I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A CONSTANT SMELL OF GAS IN THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR AND CAN'T PARK IT IN THE GARAGE DUE TO RISK OF FIRE HAZARD. *JS

EACH TIME I FILL UP MY E55 WITH GAS THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES. IT SEEMS TO GO AWAY AT ABOUT 3/4 TANK OR LESS. THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AT NIGHT AND WHEN I GO OUT THERE, THE ENTIRE GARAGE SMELLS OF GASOLINE. I FEEL THE ONLY THING TO DO IS TO NOT FILL THE CAR PAST THE 3/4 TANK LEVEL. I WILL BRING IT TO MERCEDES BUT FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD IT'S A DEFAULT ON THE CARS FUEL TANK COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I ALSO BELIEVE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS OUT THERE CAUSED BY GASOLINE FUMES AND PERHAPS SOME TYPE OF IGNITER RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. WHY HAS MERCEDES NOT STEPPED UP AND ISSUE SOME TYPE OF RECALL ? AT THIS POINT I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED AND I AM NOT ALONE. THIS IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

Mileage: 44,212

THE NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER IS PE12001 THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OWNERS WITH THE PROBLEM OF FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR RELATED TO A FAILING FUEL SENDING AND LEAKING FUEL TANK IN THE W211 MODEL E-CLASS MERCEDES BENZ (2003-2009) (SEE PROVIDED LINK BELOW). MY CAR IS A 2005 AND HAS BEGUN TO SMELL LIKE FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. MERCEDES BENZ WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE FAILURES AND AS A RESULT, HAVE CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE AUTOMOBILES. I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THESE FAILURES OUT OF POCKET AND EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT TO SIDE WITH THE OWNERS ON THIS RECALL, COMPONENT FAILURES AND UTMOST DISRESPECT AND LACK OF ATTENTION FROM MERCEDES BENZ. HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-AMG/363759-URGENT-NOTICE-03-06-E55S-WERE-INVOLVED-FUEL-SENDER-RECALL-BOMBS.HTML. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

WHEN EVER YOU FILL THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY UP IT LEAKS FUEL, HAVE RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK IN MY 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55 UP WITH GASOLINE, THERE ARE OVERWHELMING GASOLINE FUMES THAT ENGULF THE INTERIOR AND IS ALSO PREVALENT FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN ENTERING MY CLOSED GARAGE AFTER A GAS FILL UP, THE ENTIRE GARAGE IS ENGULFED BY THE VERY STRONG AND DISTINCT ODOR OF GASOLINE. TO FURTHER THE DESCRIPTION, PLEASE REFER TO THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION WITH THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 AS REFERENCE TO WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 62,000