Fuel appears to be leaking under seat from gas tank strong smell of gasoline in garage, very concerned about explosion due to fumes.
2003 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 63, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
This vehicle was previously serviced in 2008 for the same issue as part of a recall campaign by mercedes-benz, #2008-020001. I was not the owner at the time. The identical issue is now present once again, very strong gasoline odor in the interior, and a less-present odor at the exterior. The defective fuel sender units will now be replaced at my personal expense, however since this is a repeat of a previous issue which had already warranted a recall, I believe this should be the responsibility of mercedes-benz USA.
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.
Filled my just purchased 2003 e55 amg with gasoline on 10/30/14 and drove straight home. After a few minutes my brother told me the garage had a strong gasoline smell. Drove to work the next morning and noticed the smell was extremely strong in the car and left windows down to ventilate. Drove home with windows down and still noticed smell that seemed to be coming from back seat of car. Entered car and "gasoline smell" into internet search to find there is a large scale issue, investigation, and lawsuit. When picking the car up from dealer I noticed the entire rear seat bottom was not attached. Thought it may have been due to an inspection. However, it turns out that the access panel for the fuel sending unit is directly under the seat. After learning this I removed the rear seat to find gasoline on the access panel. Removed the panel to find a puddle of gasoline on top of the tank around the sending unit. Immediately called the dealer and they said to park the car and a tow truck would deliver it to them. Then the dealer called and provided a number for me to call mercedes benz USA to arrange a tow truck. Mercedes arranged the tow truck and hauled the just purchased car back to dealer. Dealer is supposed to be checking it on monday 11/3/14 to let me know the status.
I got home from the store smelt gas thought nothing of it at first. The next day I was driving my vehicle with the windows down got a big smell of fuel, that got me thinking. Later that day when I got home I started smelling around my vehicle. Opened trunk smelt gas. Then I smelt both rear wheel wells and smelled a strong fuel odor on the drive side rear wheel. Further investigation I got under the vehicle to check it out. I could see fuel running down the side of my fuel tank. So I removed my rear seat and the cap under the seat to see the fuel sending unit from above. When I removed that there was a stream of fuel shooting out of my sending unit. I did some research on this claim and I found out its a common occurrence. That there was a previous recall and that didn't do the fix. I have a picture of the sending unit shooting the spray of fuel but there is no area to upload it on here. I would like to know what is going with this. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e55. The contact noticed a leak underneath the vehicle and stated that there were puddles on several occasions. The dealer stated that the fuel sending unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I filled my car up yesterday and I have a very strong gas smell inside my car now.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e55. The contact noticed a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the fuel pump was fractured. The contact was informed that both the fuel pump and the rear passenger side sending unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Strong smell of fuel and standing gasoline under the rear seats.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e55. The contact stated that he noticed a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that the fuel pump was fractured and needed to be replaced along with the right rear sending unit. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,147 and the current mileage was unknown. Updated 06/10/14*lj updated 8/23/2017
As a loyal mercedes benz customer for years it pains me to write this letter. I am shocked to see a class action lawsuit against mbna and have personally had two fuel cell issues in two separate amg cars 6 years apart. It doesn't matter that my extended warranty covered the cost before and this time. It sickens me that mbna refuses to acknowledge that this is a defect in the design and products utilized in these amg vehicles yet the design was changed. Customers are not told that this is a flaw that happens on many of the amg instead they are treated as if each are unique cases. Shame on mbna for treating such loyal customers with such disregard and not admitting to the public that this is a limitation that consumers and insurance companies should be aware of for their safety. It personally placed my family in harms way this past weekend during a trip to naples fl. I think each executive of mbna should be forced to drive their family with this issues so they better understand how we feel. For a company so focused on safety...they are dropping the ball for thousands of consumers and hiding the truth. Respectfully I demand that mbna be held directly accountable for this defect and admit the issue to all amg owners 2003-2009.
Leaking fuel in car around neck of fuel tank /sending unit.
After filling up gas tank, fumes filled the cabin. I lifted the rear seat and exposed the driver's side gas tank sending unit & there was a gas puddle surrounding the ring. This leak, according to posts, seem to be a common problem.
My car is having a fuel smell and a rough idle. Message pops up to check fuel cap, even though it was replaced with a new one.
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.
When I get in into my car I get smell of fuel there should be a recall?. I have read lots of fuel smell problems for the e55.
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.
On september 1st 2013 I went to leave my house. Smelt a strong gas smell, thought possibly someone had spilt a gas tank. Start looking around for gas couldn't find any around my house so I get in my car when I do I get a strong scent of gas. I take my back seat out remove the cover on the fuel pump on my drivers side and their it was a huge puddle of gas in my back seat. At that point I called a tow truck afraid to drive the vehicle afraid it may catch on fire. I take it to the local mercedes dealer they have to replace my drivers side fuel sending unit, and come to find out my passenger side fuel sending unit has burned up also. Updated 09-18-13 *bf updated 09/25/2013
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.
Fuel sender leak, garage smells like gas. Please make mercedes fix this. Car is a ticking time bomb, especially with this horrible heat in az.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes e55. The contact stated he noticed a strong gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that the fuel pump was fractured and would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e55 amg. The contact stated that after refueling, gasoline would leak from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised to the contact that the fuel tank was defective. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Strong odor of gasoline in the interior of the car after filling the tank. Odor has persisted for a week. Refer to the federal safety agency action number pe12001.
Fuel tank and pump assembly required replacement due to massive fuel leak.
Began noting a strong gas smell inside my vehicle after refueling. On investigation the back seat foam was completely saturated from a leak at the seal on the top of the gas tank under the seat. Resulted in a costly repair bill. At the time I read online of many, many similar situations experienced by other mb amg e55 owners, as well as their frustration that mb was not taking any responsibility for this. Thus, I was forced to pay for the repairs myself. No problem since, although I am hesitant to fill the tank completely as many report a recurrence a couple years after their initial repair. Please advise if mb recognizes this apparent defect and issues a recall. Thank you.
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).
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....
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