2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

the car has smelled like gas from the minute i received it. the previous owner told me that mercedes had quoted 5 grand to fix it so i would only put half a tank in at a time. turns out there was a warranty on it but has since expired. why wasn't it fixed for free when the previous owner brought it? this is very dangerous and can cause an explosion. the warranty should have been fixed rather than quoted and seems very greedy to not disclose that information but instead giving a quote. i have lung and heart problems and this is a definite safety issue that needs to be corrected regardless of the age of the car also brought it to dealership scared and they told me too bad it's been too long. how is a gas leak an ok thing to dismiss?????? i have been trying to get this fixed for years and this is my 2nd attempt for a recall with no response at all

VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK. MERCEDES BENZ DEALER DID NOT WANT TO HONOR THE RECALL. WHEN I FILL CAR UP WITH GAS IT LEAKS OUT OF THE TANK AND ON THE GROUND. MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER SAID I MISSED THE TIME FOR THE RECALL. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE THE RECALL ENDED IN 2019 SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE MCKINNEY MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP AND I INFORMED HIM THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE CALL THE SPC HYDRAULIC PUMP. TURNS OUT THAT IS ALSO A RECALL THAT IS WIDELY KNOWN.AT THAT TIME THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT SO THERE WAS NO NEED TO TAKE IT UP THERE AT THE TIME DUE TO COVID. MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD HONOR THIS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO A DEADLY SITUATION IF NOT ADDRESSED. THEY HAVE BEEN DECEPTIVE BY MARKING THIS IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUE AND NOT A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THEY PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME SINCE I DON'T HAVE MY CAR WORKED ON AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DON'T WANT TO HELP ME IN THIS SITUATION. THEY MENTIONED HAD THE CAR BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT AT THE INDEPENDENT SHOO THAT I USED I MAY HAVE HAD A BETTER CHANCE AT THEM COVERING THE CHARGES FOR THIS TANK REPLACEMENT.

Mileage: 141,111

ENGINE STOPPED WHILE RUNNING THE CAR. HAD TO HAVE A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACE BOTH SENDING UNITS AND SEALS/GASKETS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A RECALL ALREADY BUT I PAID FOR IT?

Mileage: 74,587

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN

Mileage: 74,000

THIS COMPLAINT RELATES TO A PRIOR GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION AND RELATED EXTENSION OF WARRANTY. THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION DETERMINED LEAKS COULD OCCUR FROM THE GAS TANK PRESSURE SENSOR, THE OUTLET OF THE GAS TANK FILLING LIMITER VALVE AND AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. DETERMINED LEAKS COULD OCCUR FROM THE GAS TANK PRESSURE SENSOR, THE OUTLET OF THE GAS TANK FILLING LIMITER VALVE AND AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. AS A RESULT, BENZ EXTENDED ITS WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS ON GAS TANK COMPONENTS IN 2003-2009 E-CLASS VEHICLES AND 2006-2011 CLS-CLASS VEHICLES. CONSISTENT WITH THE PROBLEM, MY FUEL PUMP FAILED LAST WEEK; THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO OAKLAND MERCEDES FOR SERVICE UNDER THE WARRANTY. BENZ WAS NOTIFIED AND INSPECTED THE CAR LAST WEDNESDAY. THE DEALER TOOK POSSESSION ON FRIDAY. I HAVE CALLED THE SERVICE DEPT MANY TIMES TO LEARN STATUS OF THE CAR. BENZ TELLS ME THE CAR STILL HAS NOT EVEN BEEN ASSIGNED A SERVICE ADVISOR. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION RE THE STATUS OF MY CAR AND WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS AMOUNTS TO A REFUSAL TO FULFILL THEIR PROMISES GIVEN UPON THE DISCOVERY OF THEIR FAULTY FUEL TANKS.

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE

Mileage: 119,956

THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK THE SMELL IS SO STRONG IT FILLS THE ENTIRE GARAGE. WHEN I REMOVED THE BACK SEAT I FOUND A SMALL PUDDLE OF GAS. I FIRST STARTED NOTICING THE SMELL IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST MONTH -(MARCH 2016)- AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE EACH TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK.

Mileage: 61,135

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING AFTER THE COOLANT WAS REFILLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Mileage: 127,000

WHEN FILLING THE CAR WITH GASOLINE TO A FULL TANK, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL THAT IS VERY STRONG THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE READ IN FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT MB KNOWS ABOUT THIS BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IS THERE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT ON THIS MATTER? I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED. AM I PROTECTED UNDER EMISSIONS LAWS OR NOT?

I PURCHASED MY CAR USED AT 132000 MILES. THIS WAS A PRE EXISTING CONDITION THAT DEALER DIDN'T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT, BECAUSE THE NEXT DAY I FILLED THE TANK AS IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK, NOW I KNOW WHY, I GOT A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GAS THAT FILLED MY GARAGE AND SMELLED INSIDE THE CAR AS WELL. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I FILL THE TANK. IT ALSO SETS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM (NOT A MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP) REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE IS "EVAPORATIVE EMISSION LEAK DETECTED (SMALL LEAK)". ALSO BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE MY GAS LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY START BLINKING AND WHEN I ACCELERATE THE CENTER DISPLAY BEEPS LIGHTS UP RED AND SAID CHECK FUEL CAP. FUEL CAP IS FINE, I THINK IT'S RELATED TO THE LEAK.

Mileage: 132,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS REFUELED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER MAKING SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.

Mileage: 191,000

I FELLED MY CAR UP WITH GAS AT LUNCH 12 NOON AND WHEN I GOT OFF WORK AT 5PM THE GAS FUMES WERE SO STRONG I COULD BREATHE IN MY CAR. I TUCK IT TO SOUTH BAY MERCEDES BENZ AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK HAS A LEAK AND THE GAS HAD LEAKED IN TO THE CABIN BEHIND THE BACK SET OF MY CAR AND THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. IT'S BEEN OVER 2 WEEKS AND THEY HAVE NO ETA ON WHEN MY CAR WILL BE FIXED. I HAVE A LONER BUT I CHECK ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 137,608

BENZ E500/55K MILES. I HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE CAR. ONE BEING FUEL TANK RELATED AND THE SECOND SBC PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. ON THE FIRST, TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, SO MANY YEARS AFTER THE INCIDENT AND PURCHASE OF THE CAR, MERCEDES BENZ HAS SENT A LETTER COVERING THE REPAIR AND PARTS FOR 15 YEARS. I THINK THAT IN ITSELF IS AN OFFENSE AND A CRIME. ON THE SECOND ISSUE, SBC PUMP MERCEDES BENZ REFUSED TO GIVE ME IN DETAIL THE EFFECT OF FAILING SBC PUMP ON OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR OR THE EFFECT OF FAILED SBC PUMP. MORE IMPORTANTLY, SERVICE MANAGERS ARE TELLING CUSTOMERS THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING ALL MODELS EQUIPPED WITH SBC PUMP TO COME TO THE SHOP. NOW THAT THE 10 YEARS IS UP IN MOST CARS AND OUT OF WARRANTY.THAT IS A SCAM WHEN THE DEALER KNOWS ALL THESE CUSTOMERS WILL COME TO THE SHOP (BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE FIXED IN ANY AUTO SHOP) THEREBY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A SAFETY ISSUE. HOW DO CAR MANUFACTURERS GET AWAY WITH THINGS LIKE THIS AND HOW DEALERS GET AWAY WITH THINGS LIKE THIS. THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON SBC PUMP TO 15 YEARS JUST LIKE THEY DID IN FUEL TANK, THAT WAY DEALER WON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE AND CUSTOMERS HAVE PEACE OF MIND AND WON'T COMPROMISE ON SAFETY. EVEN THAT IS A SLAP ON THE WRIST COMPARED TO THE OFFENSE AND CRIME.

Mileage: 54,000

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, I PARKED THE CAR IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE THE NEXT DAY THE GAS FUMES WERE SO STRONG INSIDE MY BASEMENT THAT I CALLED MY PLUMBER, THINKING I HAD A GAS LEAK FROM THE FURNACE. THEN I WENT INTO MY GARAGE, AND THE GAS SMELL WAS OVERWHELMING. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MERCEDES BENZ, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THE FUEL SENSOR WAS BAD, ALONG WITH CRACKED INNER TANK MODULE. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE ASSOCIATED PARTS (CABLE HARNESS, AUXILIARY PUMP, BRACKET, SEAL RING, ETC. PARTS: $710.13 AND LABOR: $496.80 = 1206.93. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE REVIEWED AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE HAD MANY AUTOMOBILES, AND NEVER DID I HAVE THIS HEADACHE. AND I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS FROM THIS CAR. MERCEDES BENZ NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THESE DEFAULTS!!! ADDITIONALLY, MY BATTERY DIED AT THE SAME TIME - ANOTHER PARTS: $284.05, LABOR: $207.00. *TR

Mileage: 69,500

2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500 SMELLS OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING TO THE FULL TANK LEVEL. IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO LEAVE THE GARAGE DOOR OPEN AFTER FUELING IN ORDER TO VENTILATE THE GARAGE AND KEEP FUMES OUT OF THE HOUSE. THE ODOR GRADUALLY DECREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN 40-50 MILES AND THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK DROPS. *TR

Mileage: 73,836

CAR MAKES AN UNUSUAL, LOUD, HUMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, UPON STARTING AND CONSTANTLY, NO MATTER THE SPEED. ON OCCASION, THERE IS NO NOISE, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE HUMMING IS PRESENT. THE NOISE EMANATES FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR, AND CAN BE HEARD ON THE INTERIOR AND FROM THE OUTSIDE. HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP 3X FOR THE ISSUE, AND THEY CLAIM THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 10K MILES. HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS SMELL ISSUE SINCE 35K MILES, AND LOST THE BRAKES RANDOMLY; BOTH ISSUES DESCRIBED BY OTHERS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE REFUELING THE TANK. THE ODOR WAS PRESENT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL GASKET AND FUEL PUMP BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Mileage: 106,000

I HAVE A FUEL LEAK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FUEL TANK. THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG THAT I CANNOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE DUE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT SETTLES ON TOP OF THE PUMP/ REGULATOR ACCESS OUTLET. THE STREAM IS EMITTING FROM THE AREA OF LEAKAGE SO QUICKLY THAT IT TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE TO PUDDLE AND DRIP TO THE GROUND. THE DANGER OF A METAL OBJECT BEING PICKED UP BY A TIRE AND CAUGHT UP ON A PIECE OF METAL UNDER MY VEHICLE, AT THAT LOCATION, WOULD CREATE A SPARK THAT WOULD SURELY CAUSE A BLAZING FIRE TO ERUPT. ALSO, THERE IS THE DANGER OF A PASSERBY TOSSING A CIGARETTE OUT OF HIS/ HER WINDOW, BEING CAUGHT UP BY THE WIND AND SUCKED UNDERNEATH MY CAR, CAUSING A FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 137,272

YOU CAN NOT PUT GAS INTO THE VEHICLE IT IS LIKE THERE IS NO VENT HOLES OR SOMETHING BECAUSE IT TOOK ME 1HOUR AND 20 MINUTES TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE PUMP KEPT CUTTING OFF LIKE THERE WAS AIR IN THE TANK. MAYBE ITS A FLAP OR FILTER PROBLEM, WHATEVER IT IS IT IS SO FRUSTRATING TRYING TO PUT GAS IN THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 25,421

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE FUEL FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,691.

Mileage: 91,691

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER REFUELING. WHENEVER THREE GALLONS OR MORE OF FUEL WAS DISPENSED INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL WOULD SPEW FROM THE FILLER NECK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Mileage: 42,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT T HE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER REFUELING ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Mileage: 38,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL WAS IN THE CABIN AFTER REFUELING. THERE WAS ALSO A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE O-RINGS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Mileage: 141,000

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

Mileage: 188,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL FILTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS SMELLED AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. THERE IS A DISTINCT FUEL SMELL AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. DO NOT SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE BUT DO SMELL AFTER THE CAR IS PUT AWAY INSIDE GARAGE. NO SIGN OF LEAKAGE UNDER THE CAR (PUDDLING OR DRIPS). GOES AWAY AFTER FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN FULL. THERE IS NO SMELL IF YOU ONLY FILL TO 3/4. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

THE FUEL TANK CANNOT BE FILLED UP COMPLETELY. DOING SO CAUSES THE CAR TO SMELL LIKE GASOLINE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A FUEL LEAK ON THE TANK WHICH CAUSES THE GASOLINE TO SPILL. THE ODOR COMES MOSTLY FROM THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. IF THE TANK IS FILLED, THE CAR WILL HAVE THE GASOLINE ODOR FOR WEEKS EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS LEFT OPEN. THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS IN MANY WAYS SINCE I HAVE AN INFANT WHO IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO SIT IN THE BACKSEAT REAR FACED. *TR

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

Mileage: 160,000

AFTER FILL-UP ON APRIL 2, 2013, VEHICLE HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS PRESENT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS FUELED ABOVE A CERTAIN LEVEL. *TR

Mileage: 200,125

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

Mileage: 70,284

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

Mileage: 108,800

AFTER REFUELING, CAR HAD STRONG ODOR OF FUEL LEAKING. FILLS GARAGE WITH FUMES. WORRIED THAT PILOT LIGHT WILL IGNITE FUMES. ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STICKS ON 1/2 TANK EVEN WHEN TANK IS EMPTY. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

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

Mileage: 78,000

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

Mileage: 74,000

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

Mileage: 70,000

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

Mileage: 150,000

AFTER REFUELING, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND GARAGE WHERE PARKED. EXTREMELY OVERWHELMING SMELL AND DANGER OBVIOUS. TAKEN TO MECHANIC AND FUEL TANK HAS LEAK AT SENSOR AND SENDING UNIT SEALS. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR AS NO RECALL ISSUED. OWNER FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THIS MODEL SERIES AND YEAR ONLINE AND WITH MECHANICS EXPERIENCE. STRONG POTENTIAL FOR IMMINENT FIRE HAZARD. GASOLINE FUMES ARE HAZARDOUS TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS, WITH NUMEROUS MEDICAL ISSUES NOTED IN RESEARCH. STRONG ENOUGH IN CABIN TO CAUSE DIZZINESS, ILLNESS OR LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. *TR

Mileage: 138,500

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

Mileage: 77,000

A STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AS WELL AS OUTSIDE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROMPTED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST, DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS A LEAKING FUEL PURGE VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE. AFTER A $1,600 QUOTE, I REQUESTED THEY NOT DO THE WORK SO I COULD TAKE IT FOR A SECOND OPINION. WAS CALLED BACK LATER THAT DAY AND INFORMED OF A "MISCOMMUNICATION" AND THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED WITH A $1,600 BILL AWAITING ME. I WORKED OUT A PAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE DEALER AND NEVER TOOK THE CAR BACK DESPITE INTERMITTENT GAS SMELLS IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR GOOD LESS THAN 12 MONTHS LATER. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER LOCAL SHOP WHERE I WAS TOLD ONE OF THE FUEL PUMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. $600 LATER, AND 4 MORE TRIPS BACK TO THE SHOP, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STRONG GAS FUMES STILL PERMEATE THE CAR. TOOK IT TO SHOP #3 TODAY AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE QUOTE IS $1,700. I DON'T TRUST THE DEALER, AND BELIEVE THAT THE FUEL PUMP REPLACE BY SHOP #2 WAS NOT THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS AS IF IT'S BEEN THE FUEL TANK ALL ALONG. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE PART AS THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES ON IT CURRENTLY. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AND WITH TWO CHILDREN, I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ADDITIONAL NECESSARY TO HELP CONCLUDE THIS INVESTIGATION. I'M HOPING THERE WILL BE RECOURSE WITH MBUSA TO REIMBURSE IT'S CUSTOMERS FOR THE FAULTY PART REPLACEMENT AND LABOR COSTS. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 52,028

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. THE FIRST TIME WE FILLED UP THE TANK, WE NOTICED A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. I CALLED THE SELLER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID THAT IS BY NOT TOPPING OFF THE TANK. I FIGURED THIS WASN'T NORMAL, SO I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH. TURNS OUT MERCEDES E CLASS VEHICLES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SEAL. IN FACT, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS ONLY FOR THE AMG MODELS. BUT MY MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THEN, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MERCEDES WAS BEING FILED THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME EXACT ISSUE CONCERNING E CLASS VEHICLES FROM 2003-2009. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

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

Mileage: 64,000

EVERYTIME I FILL MY FUEL TANK I'VE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. UPON INSPECTION I HAVE FOUND THE FUEL TANK TO HAVE TRACES OF FUEL ON THE EXTERIOR OF TANK, SO MY TANK HAS A LEAK SOMEWHERE. *TR

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

Mileage: 82,000

I OWN 2004 MERCEDES E500 4MATIC ONE DAY AFTER FILLING GAS TANK WITH FUEL NOTICE STRONG SMELL CAME FROM DRIVER REAR SIDE OF THE CAR. I DROVE TO MY GARAGE AND INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THE SENDING FUEL UNIT LOCATED UNDER REAR SEAT DRIVERS SIDE HAS A CRACK FROM WHICH FUEL LEAKING OUT. CALLED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF USA SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY REFUSED FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 78,500

CRACKED FUEL FILTER MODULE WITH LEAKING FUEL UNDER LEFT BACK SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 131,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 225,000. UPDATED 11/1/12 *CN UPDATED 11/13/2012 *JS

Mileage: 225,000

THE VEHICLE HAS THE SMELL OF GAS VENTING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND CONCERNED FOR PASSENGER SAFETY. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS NOT PROPERLY MEETING OR COMPLYING WITH EPA REGULATIONS CONCERNING PROPER EMISSIONS OF FUEL VENTILATION AND HAS GROSS PRODUCT SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING PASSENGER(S) INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FUELING SYSTEM IS VENTING IMPROPERLY AND FUEL SENDER IS NOT SEALED PROPERLY. CAR HAS NEVER HAD PROBLEM UNTIL CURRENT DATE OF FILING. AWARE OF CURRENT MERCEDES CORPORATE LEGAL RESPONSE TO YOUR ENQUIRE HOWEVER THE SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN WORKED ON (BY MERCEDES DEALER) NOR IS THIS JUST A MINOR ISSUE WITH LOW VEHICLE COUNT. PLEASE PROTECT ME AND MY FAMILY CONCERNING THIS ISSUE! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 93,000

THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK. MERCEDES BENZ DEALER FOUND THE ISSUE ASSOCIATED TO LEFT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT, WHICH SEEM TO BE A RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL IN MERCEDES. DEALER REQUIRES $875.34 TO FIX THE ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED MBUSA TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP WITH THIS REPAIR. IN 2008 THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL #2008-020001,ON SOME E AND CLS CLASS FOR 03-06 VEHICLES, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD MY CAR VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. WEB FORUMS OF MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS ARE FILLED WITH SAME COMPLAINT FOR ALL E CLASS MODELS WITH CHASSIS W211. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN OPEN NHTSA CASE PE12-001 THAT MAY BE RELATED TO MY COMPLAINT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION. THIS IS MY SECOND MERCEDES W211 MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 117,543

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE EMITTED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,838. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER FOUND GASOLINE LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEATS AND PUDDLING. UPDATED 10/10/2012 *JS

Mileage: 82,838

THERE IS A SMELL OF GAS FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN THE TANK IS FULL, LIQUID GAS CAN BE SEEN RUNNING FROM THE TOPSIDE OF THE TANK, TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FUEL PUMP. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN MY GARAGE AND INSIDE MY VEHICLE. ALSO NOTICED THAT MY LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT WAS DISCOLORED WITH DARK YELLOW STAINING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON CAR AND TOOK TO LOCAL MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER TO CHECK PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAD FAILED AND THAT RAW FUEL WAS LEAKING IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE GASOLINE ODOR AND STAINING TO UPHOLSTERY. WAS STRONGLY URGED BY SERVICE ADVISOR AT MERCEDES-BENZ TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT "ANYTIME YOU'RE LEAKING FUEL THAT'S A SAFETY ISSUE". HAD SENDING UNIT REPLACED AS ADVISED AND WAS TOLD TO KEEP WINDOWS DOWN TO AIR THE CAR OF GASOLINE FUMES. MERCEDES- BENZ ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN UPHOLSTERY HOWEVER THIS WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND WILL LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 104,700

STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR AFTER REFUELING. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

AFTER FILLING MY CAR WITH GAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IS PRESENT. YOU SMELL THE ODOR FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER THE GAS GOES BELOW ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK THE SMELL IS NO LONGER PRESENT. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS OF OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 53,000