125 of the 287 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz E320 are about the fuel system — 44% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
125
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The passenger compartment smells like gasoline. This is due to an issue that was already investigated by nhtsa however the warranty that was extended is expired by two years. I just purchased this vehicle used and it is unsafe to drive. It did not smell like gas a few weeks ago when it was purchased. The odor is very strong in the passenger compartment.
NHTSA complaint #11429673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FILLED UP GAS TANK AND HAD FUEL ODOR INSIDE CAR AND FUEL LEAKING OUTSIDE THE CAR UNTIL FUEL LEVEL WAS AROUND 3/4 OF A TANK. I BELIEVE THAT MINE FALLS UNDER ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS LISTED FOR FUEL LEAKS FOR OTHER W211 MERCEDES. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS WAS ONLY ALLOWED FOR ORIGINAL OWNERS AND NOT FOR ANYONE THAT PURCHASED USED.
NHTSA complaint #11390601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON SO IT WAS CHARGED THEN RECONNECTED, EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO ON POSITION EVERYTHING GOOD, TURN KEY TO START AND BANG! LOUD BANG AND WHITE SMOKE EVERYWHERE, ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER EXPLOSION, HOLE IN FRONT OF ENGINE
NHTSA complaint #11128362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SQUEAKY FRONT SUSPENSION.
NHTSA complaint #11124308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THEIR A STRONG SMELL OF GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #11099061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN I FILL THE TANK WITS GAS(NOT TOPPED OFF) WHEN I DRIVE IT HOM PARK IT IN GARAGE IT SMELL OF A STRONG GAS ORDER. AFRESH DRIVIBG A LITTLE ( TO USE GAS) IT GOES AWAY, HAPPENS EACH TIME I FILL.
NHTSA complaint #11088516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, DIESEL FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED HEADACHES FOR THE OCCUPANTS. MERCEDES-BENZ IN DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA complaint #11076936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN 2015 WE STARTED TO NOTICE THE SMELL OF GASOLINE FOLLOWING FILLING THE TANK WITH GAS. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS SO STRONG THAT WE HAD TO OPEN OUR GARAGE DOORS TO VENT THE FUMES. NO GASOLINE WAS SPILLED DURING REFUELING. THERE IS NO VISIBLE GAS LEAK ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E320 WITH ONLY 44,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM WE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL MERCEDES HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES HAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FUEL FUME DEFECT AND ANY REPAIR IS NOT WITHIN THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD. NHTSA ACTION #EA13003 SUMMARY TEST & ANALYSIS BY MERCEDES-BENZ SHOWS NO RISKS OF FIRE OR PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS IS BS AS FUEL FUMES WITHIN AN ENCLOSED AREA, SUCH AS A GARAGE WHERE A NATURAL GAS HOT WATER TANK EXISTS, COULD CAUSE A FIRE. NHTSA NEEDS TO REQUIRE MERCEDES-BENZ TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #11045425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
8/4/16 VEHICLE HAD STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AFTER FILLUP. WENT AWAY AFTER HALF FULL. NOTICED RECALL IN ONLINE DOC'S AND TOOK TO MERCEDES OF SAN DIEGO WHERE TANK MOD, CABLE HARNESS, BRACKET, SEAL RINGX2, INSULATION UNDER SEAT WERE REPLACED NO CHARGE UNDER WARRANTY. 6/20/17 VEHICLE QUIT WHEN APPROACHING RESIDENCE. THEN WOULDN'T START BUT CRANKED. SAME SYMPTOMS NEXT DAY. TOWED TO MB SAN DIEGO DIAGNOSED FUEL PUMP COMPONENTS FAILED $1,000 W/NO OFFER TO COVER UNDER RECALL. I FURTHER REVIEWED SAME INTERNET DOC'S WHICH SHOW FUEL PUMPS, FILTERS, FUEL LEVEL SENDERS ARE COVERED UNDER MB 15 YR. UNLTD MILES WARRANTY. WILL CALL SERVICE WRITER IN MORNING TO ADVISE THEY SHOULD COVER REPAIRS, TOW PLUS RENTAL CAR WHILE I WAS RESEARCHNG.
NHTSA complaint #11002697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PURCHASE THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY 2017 SMELLS LIKE GAS IS SEEPING OUT FROM SOMEWHERE. STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTING CAR AND AIRBAG SUSPENSION LIGHT IS ON.
NHTSA complaint #11000567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING FUEL - STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I SEE THAT MANY OTHER W211 STYLE MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT INTO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THE SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING AND THIS HAS BEEN AN GOING PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO RECALL THIS FOR SAFETY REASONS AND DO THE RIGHT THING. PLEASE ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE PILE OF COMPLAINTS ALREADY RECEIVED BY YOUR AGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10944199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN FILLING UP THE GAS TANK I SELL GAS AND ODOR FILLS UP THE GARAGE. THE SMELL USUALLY GOES AWAYS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND GAS TANK IS NOT FULL. THIS WEEK I FILLED THE GAS THE TANK UP AND GAS WAS LEAKING AND COULD NOT PARK IT IN THE GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10935585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS FUEL (GASOLINE) VAPORS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT OR THE FUEL PUMP IN THE SADDLE GAS TANK UNDER THE BACK SEATS LEAKS GASOLINE AND THE SMELL MAKES ME SICK. I AM AFRAID THE CAR WILL EXPLODE IF THE VAPOR IS PRESENT AT THE COMBUSTIBLE RATIO OF GASOLINE TO AIR.
NHTSA complaint #10924113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR HAS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN. UPON REMOVAL OF BACK SEAT IT APPEARS WET WITH GAS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ON FEBRUARY 5, 2016 ON MY E320 (2005) BENZ AND THE ODOR STARTED TO GIVE ME HEADACHES. I TOOK CAR FOR SHAMPOO AND THEN CONSULTED WITH MECHANIC WHO REMOVED BACK SEAT AND FOUND WET AREA WITH GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10825918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2005 E320 MERCEDES BENZ. EVERY TIME WE FILL THE TANK WE GET A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN THE SMELL DISSIPATES. THE SMELL IS COMING FROM UNDER THE REAR SEATS. I SUSPECT THE SEAL ON THE GAS TANK HAS FAILED. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURE. IT IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. MY CONCERN IS FUEL FUMES CAN IMPAIR ONES DRIVING ABILITY AND LEAKING FUEL CAN CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE COME ACROSS I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RE-CALL TO CORRECT.
NHTSA complaint #10820456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HELLO, I WAS CONCERN ABOUT MY CAR EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY GAS TO FULL TANK EVERY TIME I PARK MY CAR INSIDE THE GARAGE IT SMELL GAS AND SMELL BADLY..IM WORRIED IT MIGHT CAUSE FIRE BECAUSE MY WATER HEATER IS INSIDE THE GARAGE..SO PLS. LET ME KNOW IF ANY RECALL FOR MY CAR..THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10819112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SENSED STRONG GAS ODOR AT FILL UP. INVESTIGATE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS THIS KNOWN ISSUE BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL.? HAD MB MECHANIC LOOK AND FOUND LEAKING GAS UNDER REAR SEAT NEAR FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10789149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED AND PARKED, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #10786648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
REPLACED BATTERY (30 DAYS AGO) AND NOW WARNING LIGHT COMES ON SAYING I NEED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY 10 MILES AND WILL NOT GO OFF. BRAKE LIGHTS (ABS AND ESP) LIGHTS COMNE ON AND NOTHING IS WRONG WHEN IT IS BEING REPAIRS. FILLED UP MY CAR YESTERDAY AND STRONG GAS FUMES IN THE CAR AND IN MY GARAGE. MADE ME NAUSEATED. READ THIS WAS RECALL FOR THAT YEAR AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10779884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
RE COMPLAINT NUMBER 10778442 SINCE THE LAST REPORT THE SITUATION HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. INITIALLY THE GASOLINE FUMES WOULD OCCUR WHILE THE TANK WAS MORE THAN 1/2 FULL. NOW THE FUMES ARE VERY VERY STRONG WHEN THE TANK IS FULL BUT REMAIN STRONG EVEN AS THE FUEL INDICATOR NEARS THE EMPTY MARK. THIS THIS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND MY FAMILY AND MYSELF CANNOT REMAIN IN THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A FEW MOMENTS. THE FUME ARE OVERPOWERING AND THIS IS A MAJOR HEALTH CONCERN WISE AS WELL AS A CHANCE OF FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10779551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER FUELING AND THE GAS TANK INDICATOR SHOWS FULL THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN IT IS SO STRONG THAT WE MUST DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN AND SUNROOF OPEN. IN RAINY OR COLD WEATHER THAT IS NOT A GOOD OPTION. THE FUMES DISSIPATE AFTER THE FUEL INDICATOR NEARS THE 1/2 FULL MARK IS VERY UNHEALTHY TO BREATHE IN THESE FUMES AND THERE IS ALSO A FIRE RISK.
NHTSA complaint #10778442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10748367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND FUEL WAS ACCUMULATING INTO THE FUEL ACCESS COMPARTMENT UNDER THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CAUSED ELECTRICAL WIRES TO BE SUBMERGED IN THE FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10732448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL, THE CAR SMELLS LIKE PURE GAS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT THEY DID A "PATCH" AND MADE THE SMELL SO BAD THAT IT GAVE US ALL HEADACHES EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS NOW AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO FIX THE ISSUE, OR GIVE ME A NEW CAR!
NHTSA complaint #10726754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE 2008 AND THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT ABOUT OF FUEL SINCE 2009. REPAIRS WERE DONE BUT THE PROBLEMS WAS NEVER COMPLETELY FIXED. NOW THE CAR IS BEING HACKED INTO ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS. BESIDES TAKING CONTROL OVER THE ,VEHICLE FUNCTIONALITY, TELE-AID, CD PLAYER, BRAKES, LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS AT WILL, AND THE INCREASE RF IN THE CAR, THE HACKER CAN TURN ON AND OFF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CONTROL THE FUEL GAUGE. MERCEDES BENZ USA WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD TO NEVER CONTACT THEM AGAIN. THEY ALSO SAID AN ATTORNEY WOULD SEND ME A LETTER STATING THEIR POSITION. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS, AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. THE FIRST LETTER I SENT TO THE COMPANY REGARDING THIS MATTER WAS SENT DIRECTLY TO [XXX] CANNON THE CEO OF THE USA BRANCH. THE SECOND LETTER WAS SENT TO [XXX]. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AT DAIMLER AG AND THE HEAD OF MERCEDES BENZ CARS IN GERMANY. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM [XXX]. OFFICE SAID THIS PROBLEM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MERCEDES BENZ USA AND THE MATTER IS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF MERCEDES BENZ USA. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ USA AFTER THE RESPONSE FROM GERMANY AND WAS TOLD NOT TO CONTACT THEM AGAIN REGARDING MY CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10725640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GASKET IS LEAKING GASOLINE INTO THE AREA UNDER THE BACK SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE FIRST TIME WE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WAS ON NOV 1, 2012, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. WE CAN NO LONGER FILL THE TANK TO THE FULL POSITION WITHOUT FUEL LEAKING. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL GASKET, BUT IT HAS SINCE LEAKED AGAIN. THIS IS A GREAT SAFETY CONCERN TO ME, AND IT SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY MERCEDES BENZ AT NO COST TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10689785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE-THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING ONCE AGAIN WITH THE FIRST REPLACEMENT OCCURRING AROUND 75K MILES AND NOW AGAIN AT 123K MILES. I WILL PURSUE SOME CLASSIFICATION WITH THIS MATTER. EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL LEAKAGE IS CONTAINED BENEATH THE REAR SEAT, THE FUMES ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10681914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
NHTSA complaint #10680869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK TO FULL THERE ARE GAS FUMES IN THE AIR AROUND THE CAR. THEREFORE WE DO NOT FILL TO FULL. WE JUST SAW NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT FUEL TANK PROBLEMS WITH MB.
NHTSA complaint #10671280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL LEAK AND STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AFTER FILL UP. FUMES ARE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, TOXIC AND NOXIOUS. THOUGHT THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED UNDER NHTSA ACTION # EA13003 (DATED DEC 19TH 2014) AND MERCEDES IS TELLING ME THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO CORRECT THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND REFUSING TO CORRECT AS AGREEMENT PLAINLY CALLS FOR. PLEASE HELP. I DON'T WANT MYSELF OR WIFE BURNED ALIVE IN MY CAR !
NHTSA complaint #10668739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.