2003 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55: fuel leak

Filed Jan 16, 2019 · Fuel system · 83,000 miles · WA

Strong fuel smell after fill up. Fuel leaking on to top of tank and vapors entering cabin

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Fuel system · 39,625 miles · TN

Reference the federal safety agency action# pe12001 there is a fuel leak at one or both of the fuel sending units and at one or both of the fuel pumps located in the gas tank of this car. When filling the gas tank to full, gas leaks and produces a very strong gasoline smell inside and around the exterior of the car. I have removed the rear seat to gain access to the units and I have observed standing gasoline on the top surface of the sending unit seals. There are electrical connections inside of these units and they appear to have been shorting due to the leak. This is potentially a very hazardous, life threatening condition.

Filed Dec 7, 2014 · Fuel system · 84,575 miles · IL

I parked my car in my garage and smelled gasoline. I looked under the car and it was leaking gasoline. It left a big puddle and will not stop.

Filed May 30, 2014 · Fuel system · 60,121 miles · OH

Smelled strong fuel smell in garage and car. Removed the rear seat to access fuel pump fuel sender units. Upon removal of access door lid I seen a large puddle of fuel on top of the fuel pump sending unit where it was seeping out between a seem on top of the unit. This same part was replaced under a recall in 2008. The same problem with fuel leaks is wide spread and well documented in mbworld.org I can supply pictures if needed.

Filed Mar 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · FL

Leaking fuel in car around neck of fuel tank /sending unit.

Filed Jan 1, 2014 · Fuel system · KS

I have owned the vehicle for over a year now, and ever since the first time I filled up my fuel tank, I noticed a strong fuel smell in the vehicle. So much that I could not be in the car and would have to drive with windows open and sunroof opened so the smell can go away. I took the car to mercedes-benz of wichita, ks and explained my issue and they simply said that the fuel sending unit might be releasing vapor into the cabin and that it would need to be replaced. I asked if it was a recall item and covered by them, they told me no and that it would be an out of pocket expense at over 1000$. I was not able to afford the repairs at the time so I simply did not fill the fuel tank to the top from that point on. On october of 2013 though, I park at a laundry mat facility and go inside. After a couple minutes an employee comes in asking who is the owner of a silver mercedes (my car) stating that it is leaking fuel. I run outside and notice a huge puddle under my rear left side of the car with a steady stream of fuel coming down. I became alarmed and began to find where the leak was coming from. I ended up removing the back lower seat and gained access to the fuel sending unit under the seat and noticed there was fuel everywhere and leaking from the top of the sending unit. I took pics and a video so I can show the dealer the next day. When I showed the service manager the pictures and video, they said "wow, that's bad. Looks like you 're going to need to replace it" once again I asked if that qualified to be replaced at no cost by the dealer since it is a manufacturer flaw and a serious safety concern with possible fire or explosion waiting to occur and they simply said no and would not try to help me with the issue. I have searched this issue on the internet to find numerous other drivers with same issue and the dealer would not help them as well. Something needs to be done.

Filed Oct 9, 2013 · Fuel system · 123,465 miles · TN

I could smell fuel leaks or a strong odor of gasoline both inside and outside of their vehicle, and after refueling. Went to mb dealership for tune up, oil, and air filter change. Two days later the vehicle stalled on me driving down 55 southbound interstate at 65mph. I was in dense traffic so I turned on my emergency flashers and tried to coast the car onto the shoulder to get safely off the road. Scary since traffic was so dense but I managed. I tried to start the car a few times and it wouldn't start. After 5 minutes it started and I drove to my destination 2 miles. After sitting for 30 minutes I headed back home 55 north bound at 65mph. Concerned I drove in the far right lane in case the vehicle stalled again. It stalled 5 times traveling 25 miles. Once I arrived home the vehicle reeked of fuel. Called the mercedes dealership and ask if this was a part of the recall (campaign no. 2008020001) of the fuel filter module? Was told no. I drove the car hoping it was just bad gas or something and it stalled at a stop light and it was 5+ minutes before it started again. I drove into the first ase shop 1/2 miles up the road. The shop checked the vehicle and determined that the fuel filter module was bad and must be replaced. The part was ordered from the mb dealership and installed. In addition a new fuel pump was installed as well. Upon removing the seat the tech discovered fuel under the seat and the matting soaked. He stated I was lucky the vehicle did not catch on fire. Mb indicates my module was replaced in 2008 per the recall. Five years and the vehicle is still not safe. Mb refuses to reimburse me for the cost of replacing the module.

Filed Jul 21, 2013 · Fuel system · 82,000 miles · TX

I began to notice strong odor of gasoline in my garage intermittently - I park the car in garage daily but only noticed gasoline odor some days- took to dealer dec 2012 and dealer stated there was fuel leak at fuel rail pressure regulator - dealer replaced fuel rail and regulator- I thought problem was resolved since I did not notice gasoline odor for a while- then started to have intermittent gasoline odor again- noticed small oil leak under engine and took it back to dealer feb 2013 and mentioned that I smelled fuel odor again- dealer located minor oil leak at rear main seal that did not need immediate attention and did not comment anything further about the gasoline odor- I monitored the situation for next few weeks- months since I did not have time to keep taking auto back to dealer - finally figured out that intermittent nature of gasoline smell was related to filling tank- noticed the odor after full fill-up,then stopped after few days- no odor if just fill up 1/2-3/4 tank.

Filed May 17, 2013 · Fuel system · 112,646 miles · IN

Vehicle lost power on interstate. Later re-started and taken to tafel motors in louisville, ky. Both fuel pumps/ sender modules were found to be defective and leaking and replaced at a cost of $1627.47 on 8-3-10 at 112646 miles. In august of 2011, both pumps and modules began to leak fuel. Strong odor of fuel in cabin, and fuel leaking onto ground. They were replaced at mercedes benz of indianapolis under warranty of the service done at tafel motors the year before. Again, on october 5 of 2012, one of the units began to leak gasoline, strong odor of fuel in cabin, and leaking onto ground. It was replaced at my expense of $921.48. I took pictures of the fuel puddling on top of the gas tank. I also retained the removed part, in case the federal safety agency would like to inspect it. This part (211-470-51-94 was originally replaced under mercedes recal on 3/20/2008 at 62975 miles. It has now been replaced 3 more times.

Filed Apr 10, 2013 · Fuel system · 117,000 miles · AZ

Fuel tank and pump assembly required replacement due to massive fuel leak.

Filed Mar 27, 2013 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · FL

Fuel leaks from tank when it is filled to the top. Car has been to dealer and had fuel tank seals replaced twice. Fuel pumps, gauge and hose system was also replaced for $1,500. Strong odor of gasoline if the car is parked in my garage after filling tank. I kept the pump assembly as a souvenir and see that many parts are brittle and prone to cracking. Materials in fuel pumping system appear to be inappropriate for driving in hot florida climate. Car has been kept in garage since new (except after filling gas tank).

Filed Dec 22, 2012 · Fuel system · 73,000 miles · FL

1st incident was while driving along on the expressway and noticed a slight scent of raw fuel,, as I arrived home and parked in the garage, exiting the vehicle the smell of fuel was more evident, when I look under the vehicle, I see a puddle of gas steadily leaking from the fuel tank area, I cleaned up the mess and immediately had it inspected, inspection determined that primary fuel pump sending unit was leaking causing fuel to accumulate in the fuel tank area directly underneath the left rear passenger seat and overflowing out through the chassis wherever it could find a way out, repair required complete fuel pump with sending unit, as it is a one piece design, after all said and done, repair estimate $1,800. 2nd incident, 8/?/2012 same as described in 1st incident with the exception of fuel leak occurred while refueling at the gas station,, no puddle, but faint smell,, drove home, parked in the garage, smelled fuel more, looking under car, observed growing puddle of fuel. Had vehicle inspected, fuel leaking from around fuel pump housing, determination was fuel pump housing seal replacement, which again required fuel pump assembly removal and re-install for replacement of new seal, out of warranty, past 1year warranty by a few months, $1200 repair, mostly labor, part cost $20....seemed to correct fuel leak for now.....fuel smell has not gone away....