2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

The electronic steering wheel lock went out causing the car to not start. Upon checking the Internet to see if anyone else was having this problem I found that it was a problem many Mercedes Benz owners have had and it's an expensive one. It's not just with my particular model and it's not limited to older models of the brand either.

1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The fuel system failure is a highly critical safety concern, and my life is at risk. It causes malfunctions with the vehicle, for example, the OBD-based emissions test has flagged a lot of (codes P219A, P0300, P0304, P0410, P0305, P0303, P0171, P0301) 5 of the cylinder misfire codes with the check engine light on, as well affecting other parts in the vehicle function properly, acceleration issues, car stalling as though it’s going to shut off. This is a serious matter and Mercedes-Benz is failing to prioritize customer safety, over cost especially when known faults in the vehicle can lead to potentially life-threatening incidents such as fuel leaks and fire hazards. Yes, the vehicle is available for further inspection upon request immediately each day my life is at risk. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety and other's safety are put at risk every time I get out on the road to drive my car it's putting me and other' live in serious danger (especially with the extreme increase in car accidents in the local Nashville, TN area). Despite the vehicle now being 3,000 miles over the 150,000-mile extended warranty threshold. I recently purchased the car on [XXX] and was not made aware of Mercedes Benz having any extended warranty coverage for the faulty fuel system that Mercedes-Benz had placed on this model. I can only assume the previous owner the car was reposed from was also unaware of this as well. I believe Mercedes-Benz should still cover the cost of this repair. The fuel system failure is a critical safety concern, and Mercedes-Benz should prioritize customer safety, especially knowing there were faults of poor quality that they discovered with their vehicles and can lead to potentially life-threatening incidents such as fuel leaks and fire hazards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On 8/3/2023 we could smell a strong gasoline smell inside and outside our 2011 Mercedes C300. We towed the car to a Mercedes specialty repair shop for inspection. The found that the passenger side fuel pump cover (which is a large cylinder assembly actually) was leaking due to cracked plastic. Gas vapors could be detected outside the car, in the trunk, and in the car as the gas tank is right under the back seat. Our mechanic said he had just fixed another Mercedes with the exact same problem. Apparently this is a well known defect and I understand that Mercedes has an extended warranty for later models. We believe the extended warranty should be extended to our 2011 C300 which has only 55,000 miles.

Each time I filled my gas tank, there was an overpowering odor of gasoline inside the car and outside on the passenger side. Once the tank would get down below 3/4 of a tank, the odor would dissipate until down to a 1/4 of a tank it would go away completely.

I suspect a failure in the fuel tank / system seal, which is allowing gas fumes into the cabin. There is a strong smell of gasoline inside the cabin especially after a full tank refill. This issue was also a problem for my 2008 Mercedes Benz E350. It has not been inspected but since my E350 had a similar extended warranty repair, I assume this would be similar. The strong fumes and odor in the cabin is a health risk of breathing the fumes or explosion. There are no warning lamp to indicate this failure. No recalls or extended warranty currently to fix this problem.

There is a crack in the flange causing a fuel leak in my C300 2011 Mercedes-Benz built March 2011. A strong gas smell fills the car. This situation is extremely dangerous and should be included in the recall that was approved for vehicles C300 manufactured from April 2011-July 2011. Please include my vehicle in this recall. There is only a one month difference.

My check engine light came on approximately one month ago. Once tested it indicated a fuel vapor leak. I pulled out of a driveway and a large stream of fuel spilled all over the roadway. Approximately 7 feet in length about 5 inches in width was on the road. I took it to a Mercedes repair shop and they informed me I had a fuel leak and that it was not safe to drive. There was corrosion and rust forming on the tank which seems very odd since the car is garage kept and we don't get much snow in Kentucky. My daughter rides in this car with me and they told me it is very dangerous and needs repaired. If I was to drive over a cigarette we could essentially blow up. I had a second shop look at it and they also informed me I had a fuel leak and would need to replace the fuel tank. I was told there was a recall on some models of Mercedes for this issue but can't seem to find one on my year make and model. Please help with this matter so my daughter and I can remain safe as well as others around us. Seems like we are in a ticking time bomb.

When fuel tank is greater than approximately 3/4 full there is a strong fuel odor that seems to emanate from the rear passenger side of the vehicle; at lesser fuel quantities the odor is not noticeable. On one occasion I detected what appeared to be fuel dripping from underneath the vehicle. Took vehicle to dealership for troubleshooting and was informed "fuel leaks at the fuel pump" and it was recommended that the fuel pump and fuel sender be replaced. Additionally, the leak apparently damaged the electrical wiring harness to the fuel pump and that also needs to be repaired. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed that alerted me to this problem. Obviously, this is a hazard to safety.

I started to smell gas after filling my tank. Once the gas level went down, the odor disappeared. I took car to dealer who said car needs new gas tank (issue on top of tank) and cost is approx $5K for parts and labor. I started reading about same exact issue on same C300 model and year 2011. I was advised that car with high mileage of 114,000 was not worth repairing even though there are no dents, cosmetically very nice, new tires, always dealer maintained. I have the dealer inspection paperwork

Every time I fill up the gas tank, I smell gas in the passenger side back seat close to where you pump the gas?

Gas is leaking under the car. Gas dripping location is by the rear passenger tire.

When the fuel tank is full, there is a strong smell of gasoline at the rear of the car. The gasoline odor is extremely strong on the outside, and very strong on the inside. (This is NOT due to overfill or spillage). I searched some Mercedes-Benz blog sites, and discovered others are experiencing similar problems since 2019 to now. The strong gasoline odor can likely pose a health risk. There is also real concern about potential fire or explosion risks.

07/31/2021 Fuel smell in the cabin, and in the garage, and a small paddle of gas formed under the car, but at that time I wasn't sure if it was the A/C condense, or gas. Took car out of the garage and left it there overnight. Drove the car next day and the smell was less noticeable, and it disappeared in about two days. Next two weeks did not ill up the tank completely, and there was no smell or leak. Yesterday, Sunday, Aug 22nd, I filled the car with gas again until the pump stopped, and the smell came back instantly, as I was driving home. Parked the car in the driveway and immediately noticed a large paddle of gas forming under the left rear wheel. Removed back seat and both fuel tank pump metal covers, and both plastic fittings/covers were leaking gas, more so on the driver's side. There are hairline fractures in both covers, and both are leaking gas. Removed both covers and siphoned gas out of the car until the leak stopped. I went to Hendrick's MB of Durham and asked about the recall, they denied that my car qualifies. The parts alone were quoted at $1229.12, without labor, and I was told fuel tank worth about $1,000.00 (without labor) may need to be changed as well. NHTSA recall campaign 2013020002 mentions my car. My defect is worse than most because both sides leak gas, not just the pump, and both have visible with naked eye fractures that leak gas. I cannot understand how is my risk of fire and death while driving less than that of other MB's with exactly the same failure, in the same class, and the same C300, for the same year. I expect the cost of repair with labor to be more than $3,500 .

A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IS COMING FROM BACK SEAT (PASSENGER SIDE)

CAR INTERIOR SMELLS OF FUEL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. THE SMELL IS ALSO NOTICEABLE WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE. MY MERCEDES E350 ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL CELL SENDING UNIT.

CAR WILL SMELL LIKE FUEL AFTER FILLING UP ON FULL TANK. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MERCEDES OF GREENWAY IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. THEY DISCOVERED A LEAK IN FUEL SYSTEM, IT'S CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON BECAUSE OF THE INADEQUATE PRESSURE. WHEN I HAD THE CAR PARKED IN MY GARAGE, MY WHOLE HOUSE SMELLED LIKE FUEL ! IT'S A BIG SAFETY ISSUE/FIRE HAZARD. I'VE SEEN OTHER 2011 C300 ARE EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES.

Mileage: 150,000

FILLED GAS TANK FULL START GASOLINE IS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE - LOCATION REAR PASSENGER SIDE. PLACED A PAN AND COLLECTED APPROXIMATELY A QUART OF GASOLINE IN 4.5 HOURS.

Mileage: 112,723

PLASTIC TOP OF FUEL PUMP LOCATED UNDER BACK SEAT CRACKS AND FUEL VAPORS ENTER THE CAR. BELIEVE THE PART IS DEFECTED TO CRACK FOR NO REASON OR UNDER STRESS.

Mileage: 32,600

MY 2011 C300 SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AFTER I FILL THE TANK. THE SMELL SUBSIDES AFTER THE GAS TANK REACHES ABOUT HALF TANK MARK. DURING MY RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS A FUEL SYSTEM RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V557000 / MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 2013010004. MY 2011 C300 IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES LISTED. I CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER CARE AT 800-367-6372; CUSTOMER CARE STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,381

Mileage: 78,381

STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE CABIN AND AROUND VEHICLE AFTER FUELING. ISSUE STARTED OVER LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND ONLY WHEN FUELED TO CLOSE TO FULL.

Mileage: 68,000

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY EMITTING GAS VAPORS INSIDE VEHICLE AND LEAKING GAS INSIDE BEHIND AND/OR UNDERNEATH BACK DRIVER SIDE SEAT. VIN (XXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AROUND THE VEHICLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL ON THE GROUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OUT OF THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 80,000

I BEGAN SMELLING GAS IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER REFUELING, THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS FROM THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY RESIDENCE AND THE ODOR OF GAS IN THE CAB BEGAN TO INCREASE. MERECEDES PERSONNEL REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE OTHER ISSUES AND WANTED TO BEGIN AT THEIR STARTING POINTS REGARDING REPAIRS. WHEN THIS RECALL WAS ADDRESSED, I WAS INFORMED IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. AFTER A LENGTHY ELIMINATION PROCESS, WE LEARNED THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE HAD FAILED IN THIS MODEL AS IT HAS IN OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. MERECEDES AT THIS POINT REFUSED TO EXTEND A WARRANTY CONSIDERATION SO I SOUGHT OUT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR IT. NOW MERCEDES IS REFUSING TO REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIRS.

Mileage: 93,800

WHEN I FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS, MY CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE AND OUT UNTIL IT REACHES ABOUT A HALF A TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'VE READ THAT SEVERAL OTHER MERCEDES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE CONTACT MERCEDES BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT ON A RECALL LIST.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO (LOCATED AT 3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761, 909-212-8400) WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FUEL FILTER FLANGES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH AN AGENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, A STRONG FUEL ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED MERCEDES-BENZ OF HOUSTON NORTH (17510 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090, (281) 305-8970) OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

CAR LEAKS GASOLINE WHEN ABOVE 3/4 OF TANK IN THE RIGHT REAR AREA BY THE FUEL FILLER LINE. SMELL GAS AND SEE GAS LEAKING.

Mileage: 50,000

TAKATA RECALL HAD VEHICLE CHECKED AFTER CONSISTENT SMELL OF FUEL UPON FILLING UP THE CAR. MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FUEL FILLER NECK TO BE FAULTY BECAUSE OF PLASTIC CONNECTOR FUEL TANK.

Mileage: 120,426

STRONG FUEL ODOR EVERY TIME FILLED UP THE GAS TANK (FULL TANK)

Mileage: 72,000

GAS LEAK .. CAUSING CAR TOO SMELL LIKE GAS WHEN YOU FILL UP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE RETAINED EXCESSIVE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BENZEL-BUNCH MOTOR CAR (28 GRAND AVE, ENGLEWOOD, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DRAINS WERE CLOGGED AND THEY WOULD NEED TO PERFORM A FLUSH TO REMOVE THE WATER AND REWIRE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ODOR WAS VERY STRONG INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS FOR THE FUEL ODOR TO SUBSIDE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS HALF FULL, THERE WAS NO FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-367-6372 AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Mileage: 64,000

THERE APPEARS TO BE IS A CRACK ON THE FUEL FILTER. THIS CRACK HAS RESULTED IN A FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNITS ARE LEAKING. HIGH FUMES ODOR INSIDE AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BOTH WHEN IT IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION REGARDLESS IF IT'S ON THE HIGHWAY, TURNING OR CITY STREET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, STRONG FUEL VAPORS LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

Mileage: 127,000

ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO I SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FUMES OMITTING FROM MY CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE THE WEATHER GETS EXTREMELY HOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO GET CHECKED OUT AT A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP ON 12/23/2016 AND IT TURNS OUT THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. I LOOKED ON THE NHTSA DATABASE AND FOUND A RECALL REPORTED ON 12/03/2012 REGARDING A FUEL FILTER LEAK AS MENTIONED BELOW. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V557000 MANUFACTURER MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE SUMMARY MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4MATIC, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4MATIC, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4MATIC, CL550 4MATIC, AND CL63 AMG VEHICLES I MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 18, 2011, THROUGH JULY 12, 2011. DUE TO AN IRREGULARITY STEMMING FROM THE MOLDING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE, THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE MAY CRACK WHEN OPERATED IN HIGH TEMPERATURES. ALTHOUGH THE RECALL WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR MERCEDES BENZ C300 MANUFACTURED IN 2011, I BELIEVED IT SHOULD ALSO EXTEND TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR; 2010. IM REPORTING THIS TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CARS HAD THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AS WHAT WAS DESCRIBED ABOVE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFINITE FIRE RISK ESPECIALLY TO THOSE LIVING IN VERY HOT LOCATIONS SUCH AS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALL COVERS MY CAR AND IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE SERVICES I PAID TO THE MECHANIC SHOP. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 150

I HAD TO PAY FOR A FUEL FILTER LEAK DUE TO A CRACK OF THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, BUT WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT RECALLS FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL I CAME ACROSS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER-12V557000 WITH A RECALL ON MERCEDED-BENZ C300 4 MATIC MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FOR FUEL LEAK DUE TO CRACKED FLANGE. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SAID IT DID NOT AFFECT MY VEHICLE, I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED IN THE REMEDY SECTION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT MY VEHICLE, PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I SHOULD DO NEXT, THANK YOU

Mileage: 80,000

I FILLED MY GAS TANK UP FRIDAY EVENING, WENT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAL AND CAP UNDER THE PASSENGER BACK SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE $434. NOT ONLY IS THIS DANGEROUS IT SHOULD NOT BE THE CONSUMERS RESPONSIBILITY WHEN THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED FAULTY MATERIAL.

Mileage: 51,000