383 of the
1,516 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz E320
are about the fuel system —
25% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
I inherited my dad's 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 when he passed away last year. He kept the car in pristine condition. About a month ago while driving it, I noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. The odor is strong just after filling the tank, and then it disappears at appox. 3 quarters of a tank. This issue has been physically challenging for me, making me dizzy and giving me migraines. I'm also very concerned about the safety issues relating to gasoline fumes inside the car... My understanding is that this is a common issue for the said Mercedes Benz model and year. It is a dangerous parts defect that is unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11628014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noticed strong smell of diesel fuel by left rear tire, in several days a leak was under left tire, had fuel tank sending unit gasket replaced, no visible leaks but fumes are still present 1 year after repair. When repair was made all related parts were cleaned of residential fuel. Want to know if MB has dealt with splits or cracks in fuel tanks.
NHTSA complaint #11592017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor throughout the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak coming from underneath the vehicle, above the fuel tank. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,800.
NHTSA complaint #11530938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
*1. The Fuel Tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned. *2. After filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3The car has been taken to a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center and was told that the problem was the gas tank and system/components. *4.The car was inspected by a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center Mechanic *5. There were NO warning lamps or messages on the dashboard or message center on car. The only symptoms of the problem was the strong odor of gasoline fumes after fuel fill ups.
NHTSA complaint #11510219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact removed the rear seat where the fuel tank was located and discovered that fuel was leaking into the vehicle underneath the rear seat instead of going into the fuel tank. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #11473415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After fueling up, a smell of gas occurs. Slight gas puddle forms under the car after every fuel up. Drops gas gauge down and after that no more smell of fuel but still slight puddle of gas after leaving the car parked. Noticed it about a month ago and it seems to get worse. Doesn't seem safe knowing the car is leaking fuel.
NHTSA complaint #11445844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fuel tank leak at the top of the tank. MB has well documented gasoline leaks for MB model 211 years 2003-2008. Notices were sent to owners of gas powered auto's but none were sent to DIESEL auto owners. The exact same procedure and parts are needed to repair DIESEL tanks as gasoline tanks. Either this is a oversight by MB or the problem was ignored. My DIESEL tank is leaking exactly as other documented gasoline MB vehicles model 211.
NHTSA complaint #11445604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
DRIVER IS EXPERIENCING A HEAVY ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FILL UP. VEHICLE IS NOT OVERFILLED/TOPPED OFF. VEHICLE WAS SITTING INSIDE GARAGE WHEN OWNER NOTICED A HEAVY FUEL ODOR AND NOTIFIED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE. PER RECOMMENDATIONS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT, KEEP VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE UNTIL ISSUE COULD BE INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC. MECHANIC INSPECTED FUEL SYSTEM AND FOUND FUEL LEAK UNDER REAR SEATS NEAR FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT. MERCEDES BENZ REFUSES REPAIR ISSUE SAYING IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. GASOLINE FUMES/VAPORS ARE ESPECIALLY HEAVY INSIDE A SINGLE CAR GARAGE, AND IF A IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED IT COULD BECOME FATAL.
NHTSA complaint #11397478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I FILLED THE GAS TANK FULL AND ON PULLING IN THE GARAGE COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE... WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGE THE NEXT DAY AND THE GENTLEMAN MENTIONED HE COULD SMELL GAS COMING FROM MY CAR AT VALVOLINE OIL CHANGE.... VERY STRONG SMELL IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS WELL AS WHEN WALKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR YOU COULD SMELL A STRONG SMELL OF GAS... THE GENTLEMAN FROM VALVOLINE LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAID THERE'S SOME TYPE OF COVER THAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE GAS TANK ITSELF AND PUT HIS FINGER INTO IT AND COULD TOUCH GASOLINE ON HIS HAND... I JUST WENT ONTO THE INTERNET AND READ MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED... IN THOSE COMPLAINTS THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT THEIR CAR TO DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REMEDY AND THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL... AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE BIT AND REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK THE SMELL HAS SUBSIDED SOMEWHAT... THOSE COMPLAINTS ALSO MENTION THAT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WITH THIS TYPE OF LEAK
NHTSA complaint #11388481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN MY WINDOWS ARE DOWN AND IM DRIVING YOU CAN SMELL GASOLINE VERY STRONGLY IN THE CAR. EVEN WORSE IN THE BACK SEAT AREA. ESPECIALLY IF MY GAS TANK IS FILLED. IM CONSTANTLY GETTING A WARNING TO CHECK THE GAS CAP AND THE GAS LIGHT GOES OFF FLASHING THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO ON.
NHTSA complaint #11339854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SMELL COMING FROM WITHIN CABIN FIRST NOTICED OCTOBER 2018 TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY WAS CHARCOAL FILTER NOT A BIG DEAL WHEN FILLING TANK WITH FUEL IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS, AND WAS RECENTLY NOTICED WHEN TIRES WHERE CHANGED THAT FUEL SMELL AND LOOKED LIKE LEAKAGE OF GAS. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT AND AS THE SECOND OWNER WAS NEVER INFORMED IN ANY CAPACITY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHICH IN MY OPINION IF THEY KNEW, ALL OWNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ASAP. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO, OR CAN BE DONE, BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ACCEPTABLE IF IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. THIS WAS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING. I WANT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO KNOW, WE MAY HAVE OTHERS OUT THEIR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NOT KNOWING THIS. WHAT A SHAME FOR MERCEDES IF THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED PEOPLE. I STARTED REVIEWING WHAT I COULD FIND ON WEB SITES, ATTACHED IS A NHTSA DOCUMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11328798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE OF CAR AND OUTSIDE. WHEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE FAULT AND THEY WANTED $5000 TO CORRECT ISSUE.FOUND OUT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AND THEY REFUSED TO EXPEDITE AS THEY SAID IT WAS FOR 15 YEARS AND THAT HAD EXPIRED. NO RECALL NOTICES HAD BEEN SENT TO ME OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER.I HAVE HAD CAR FOR 4 YEARS, PREVIOS OWNER HAD IT FOR 6.CONTACTED HEAD OFFICE IN ATLANTA STILL WOULD NOT COVER THE ISSUE
NHTSA complaint #11316026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEAVY FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY STRUCTURES COULD CATCH FIRE IF FUEL IS LEAKING AND AN IGNITION SOURCE IS INTRODUCED. ONLY VIABLE REASON WHY FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT IS EITHER THE FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AT A LOCATION OR THE VENT HAS FAILED. VEHICLE FUEL ODOR IS ESPECIALLY STRONG IF VEHICLE WAS FILLED UP RECENTLY BUT IS PRESENT 24/7.
NHTSA complaint #11315421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS PERCEIVED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AMERICAN SERVICE CENTER DEALER (703-284-2500, LOCATED AT 624 S GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA 22204) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A CANISTER VALVE AND PURGE VALVE SHUT OFF AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VALVES AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11245208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IN THE GARAGE. MERCEDES-BENZ OF FAIRFIELD (165 COMMERCE DRIVE, FAIRFIELD, CT 06825) STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK SEAL MAY BE FAULTY. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A FUEL TANK SEAL AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #11234201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IS 2 YEARS OUT OF COVERAGE FOR GAS TANK. THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM DID NOT LEAVE MUCH ROOM FOR 2003 OWNERS TO BE ELIGIBLE. THE TANK LEAK AT THE TOP IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW THAT MERCEDES ADMITS IS A PROBLEM BUT WASHES THEIR HANDS OF IT AFTER THE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY EXPIRATION. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA AND THE LEAK CAN BE SEEN COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK WHEN THE FUEL FILTER ACCESS PLATE IS REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #11195439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR HAS BECOME STEADILY WORSE AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I INQUIRED HOW THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED, I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE DUE TO IMPACT OR TRAUMA (WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY INCIDENT). WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,300.00 TO REPAIR VEHICLE. CALLED MB-USA AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST. AS THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE, I HAD THE WORK PERFORMED AND RECEIVED A 10% "GOODWILL" DISCOUNT. PICKED UP VEHICLE AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE AND CONTINUED TO SMELL FUEL. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAME TO PICK-UP. ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY DID NOT TIGHTEN A CLAMP OR SOMETHING. WE PICKED IT UP AGAIN AND THE ODOR WAS PERSISTENT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WE SUBSEQUENTLY TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. BOTTOM LINE.... I DO NOT THINK THAT A FUEL TANK SHOULD FAIL ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. I HAVE THE OLD TANK AND BELIEVE THAT MB SHOULD REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE TANK.
NHTSA complaint #11192462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.