Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
37.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
922.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
922.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
820.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1025.0%
150,000+ miles
12.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2009peak 6Jan 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2007 Mercedes Benz E550
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA13003Opened 15 Mar 2013Closed 19 Dec 2014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some d...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pittsburgh, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When I filled up gas and start the car, it has gas smell. seems like fuel is pooling on the left side on top of the fule filter module underneath the cushion. Searched the internet and found out it is a common problem on Mercedes.
NHTSA complaint #11636696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPelzer, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE AND OUT UNTIL ABOUT HALF A TANK AFTER REVIEWING MERCEDES BENZ FORMS IN THE BENZ WORLD WEBSITE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE E500 AND E550 IN THE YEARS BETWEEN 2005 AND 2008 VEHICLES THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND NOT SURE WHEN IT STARTED I'VE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER PREVIOUS OWNER MENTIONED IT TO ME AS WELL I DIDN'T THANK TO MUCH ABOUT IT TILL THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE IN THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11342127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPelzer, SC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE AND OUT UNTIL ABOUT HALF A TANK AFTER REVIEWING MERCEDES BENZ FORMS IN THE BENZ WORLD WEBSITE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE E500 AND E550 IN THE YEARS BETWEEN 2005 AND 2008 VEHICLES THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND NOT SURE WHEN IT STARTED I'VE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER PREVIOUS OWNER MENTIONED IT TO ME AS WELL I DIDN'T THANK TO MUCH ABOUT IT TILL THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE IN THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint #11342127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED AGAIN TODAY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M FED UP WITH MERCEDES!
NHTSA complaint #11144276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
SUSPENSION
TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED AGAIN TODAY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M FED UP WITH MERCEDES!
NHTSA complaint #11144276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED AGAIN TODAY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M FED UP WITH MERCEDES!
NHTSA complaint #11144276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesGibsonburg, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I SMELLS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR UNTIL THE CAR REACHES THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK OR LESS. I HAVE READ IN THE MERCEDES BENZ FORUMS THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS! I AM DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB.
NHTSA complaint #11132880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesColorado Springs, CO
SUSPENSION
I WISH TO REPORT AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR-MATIC SUSPENSION ON MY 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E550. I HAD THE AIR STRUTS REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO WITH MERCEDES BENZ PARTS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 16,000 MILES SINCE REPLACEMENT WITHOUT ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS 36,000 MILES CURRENTLY AND IS DRIVEN EXCLUSIVELY IN TOWN, ON PAVED ROADS, AND GARAGED AT HOME. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 THE STRUT ON THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT AS THE FRONT LEFT DROPPED VIOLENTLY. I HAVE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ USA TO REPORT THIS ISSUE FOR THEIR INVESTIGATION. MY CURRENT INFORMATION IS THE STRUT EXPERIENCED AN INTERNAL FAILURE AS REPORTED BY THE MECHANIC, BUT WOULD NEED FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE EXACT ROOT CAUSE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PART FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND IF I WERE NOT TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH), THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN FAR WORSE. I FEEL THAT GIVEN THE LOW MILES, NEWNESS OF THE PART, AND SUDDEN FAILURE, THIS COULD BE AN INDICATION OF A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MANUFACTURE OF THIS COMPONENT AND SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #11132034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesDenver, CO
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JULY 4, 2017. LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER DRIVING OFF OF THE USED CAR LOT, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, THE TIRES WERE WORN, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA complaint #11010770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesDenver, CO
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JULY 4, 2017. LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER DRIVING OFF OF THE USED CAR LOT, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, THE TIRES WERE WORN, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA complaint #11010770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesDenver, CO
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JULY 4, 2017. LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER DRIVING OFF OF THE USED CAR LOT, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, THE TIRES WERE WORN, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA complaint #11010770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesDenver, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JULY 4, 2017. LESS THAN THREE YEARS AFTER DRIVING OFF OF THE USED CAR LOT, THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED, THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, THE BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, THE TIRES WERE WORN, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA complaint #11010770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesTarzana, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE FUELING THE TANK AT THE SERVICE STATION, FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL CONTAINER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED NO REPLACEMENT PART WAS PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10839549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,015 milesPalisades Park, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I JUST NOTICED A VERY POTENT GAS ODOR ON THE REAR BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. THERE ARE NO LEAKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR OR MY DRIVEWAY. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2003-2006 E-CLASS, BUT WAS THERE ONE FOR 2007-2009 MODELS AS WELL? I JUST NOTICED IT TODAY AND I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, CAR HAS ABOUT 78K ON THE ODOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10786912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SMELL STRONG GASOLINE EVERY I FILL UP THE GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10786164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alexandria, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FILLING GAS TANK TO REGISTERED FULL LEVEL.
NHTSA complaint #10667113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minden, LA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SUMMER OF 2013, I CARRIED THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS LOUD SMELL OF GAS, THEY CHECKED IT OUT BUT SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. ON 2 NOVEMBER 2014 MY WIFE FILL THE TANK WITH GAS AND ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS LOUD SMELL OF GAS. I CHECKED IT OUT, TOOK THE BACK SEAT UP SO I COULD SEE THE GAS TANK AND THERE WAS GAS ON TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND ASK IF THERE WAS A RECALL, THEY SAID NO BUT THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT AND REPAIR IT FOR A FEE.
NHTSA complaint #10662389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,331 milesPort Orange, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON COMPLAINT # 10638080, NO RESPONSE. PLEASE PROVIDE UPDATE ABOUT NHTSA ACTION # EA13003. LEAKING FUEL TANKS. WE HAVE BEEN OVERCHARGED FOR REPLACING DEFECTIVE TANK, MERCEDES WILL NOT HELP WITH $3293.15 FEE CHARGED ON THIS MANUFACTURING ERROR. PLEASE ADVISE, THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10655078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granbury, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
GAS LEAKING FROM REAR AREA OF VEHICLE; STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER REFUELING.
NHTSA complaint #10651339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesMissouri City, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STRONG GAS VAPORS AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE. GAS VAPORS ARE REALLY STRONG WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE IMMEDIATELY. THE GAS VAPORS CAN BE SMELLED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE FUMES TO BE INHALED AND DIZZINESS. THIS CAN NOT BE SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10643805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesMilton, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR WHEN FUELED. WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THERE IS A BOLT THREADED INTO THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, AND GAS IS LEAKING FROM IT. COST OF REPAIR IS $2200. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN REAR ENDED. CAN'T GET AN ANSWER FROM DEALER AS TO HOW THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10643127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesDevore, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER FILLING THE CAR UP FULL TANK YOU CAN SMELL STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10641552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,331 milesPort Orange, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
EVERY TIME CAR IS FILLED WITH GAS, THERE IS AN OVERPOWERING GAS SMELL IN THE CAR AND THE GARAGE. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP FOUND FUEL TANK LEAKING FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK ABOVE SENDER. CHARGED MY FATHER $3,293.15 FOR REPAIR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10638080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesWake Forest, NC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL EVERY TIME I FILL MY MERCEDES. THE CAR HAS ONLY 16,500 MILES. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS ONLINE AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT STORING IT IN MY GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10633008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesHacienda Heights, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE 2007 MERCEDES E550 EMITS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR. IT SMELLS LIKE GAS VAPOR AND NOT BURNT MOTOR OILS. THE SMELL APPEARED SHORTLY AFTER I REFUELED THE GAS TANK. I DROVE THE CAR TO A SHOPPING CENTER, AND I COULD SMELL THE GAS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, THE GARAGE NOW ALSO SMELLS LIKE GAS.
NHTSA complaint #10586876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.