Hi, in the Fall of 2025 my 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4 Matic, started giving off smelly fumes while my car was idling/ warming up. I registered a complaint with the Corporate Mercedes Benz Office USA, LLC in April 2026 @ 800‑367‑6372, after the dealership would not correct the issue free of charge. 1. Hose Clamp Replacement problems. 2. The raw fuel leakage produces strong gasoline odors inside the cabin- via the air filter, risk of car stalling and the smell could be leathal. 3. The problem was confirmed in a lawsuit. 4. The dealership would not repair the issue. 5. There were no warning lamps or messages on the dash board, the only essential issue were the smells, fumes, odors and lawsuit.
Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel smell problems
147 of the 2,727 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C300 describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 147
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,288
- typical mileage
- 66,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel leak 36Fuel pump 14Check engine light 11Fire or smoke 3Stalling 2Seat belt 1Headlights 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P052E 2P0456 1
What owners say
Fuel tank is rusting. Leaking fuel, heavy fuel smell inside cabin. My saftey and anyone around the vehicle would be at risk due to fire chance. Confirmed by independent service center Vehcile has only been inspected by me and the shop Only symptom that appeared was fuel smell in my garage and a puddle of gasoline underneath the vehicle.
Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic Sport Problem Component: Fuel / Propulsion System Safety Issue Description: My 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300 developed a serious fuel tank leak at approximately 106,460 miles which created overwhelming gasoline fumes and rendered the vehicle unsafe to operate. The gasoline fumes were extremely strong and entered the passenger area. The fumes were severe enough that I became physically overwhelmed from the gasoline exposure and discarded clothing due to gasoline contamination and odor. A local repair facility identified the leaking fuel tank. I was informed the replacement fuel tank was allegedly on extended backorder through Mercedes-Benz channels. Because the vehicle was unsafe to drive and replacement parts were allegedly unavailable for several months, I was forced to tow the vehicle from [XXX] to [XXX] at my own expense in order to locate a repair facility that could obtain a replacement fuel tank and safely repair the vehicle. The repair invoice states: “Installed used lt fuel tank incl switchover fuel pumps replace section of steel fuel line front of tank from lower braided line.” I am submitting this complaint due to: serious gasoline leak safety concerns, severe gasoline fume exposure, potential fire hazard, and the alleged extended unavailability of replacement fuel tanks. Mercedes-Benz USA Case Number: 22302114 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
strong evident fuel/ gas smell when driving and when the car is in park after driving.
Strong fuel smell in cabin Can maybe cause a fire
fuel lines/ clamps defective causing a fuel leak. vehicle could catch on fire and fumes are extremely strong inside the cabin. issue confirmed by Mercedes dealer, mentioned there is an extended warranty up to 120,000 miles. rejected mine because i was at 120,300 miles. had to pay out of pocket. no warning lights or anything just the really strong smell of fuel and fuel range dropping. this is a very common issue thats known and should be a recall.
UNKNOWN it was just one day I started my car and turned the A/C on and I started getting this strong gasoline smell. I went on like a saw there is a recall for this problem for the M274 engines.
Fuel hose system leaking. Inhalation of gas fumes caused headaches and nausea. Risk of vehicle fire. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by a Mercedes dealer. This is a known issue with Mercedes C300 2015 models and other years. There have been other complaints/lawsuits against Mercedes not wanting to pay for the issue. No warnings just strong gas smell.
An independent service center diagnosed my car as having a fuel leak stemming from the fuel rail and fuel injectors. This is a fire hazard due to a gas leak. There is a gas smell in the interior cabin that I noticed approximately one month ago. I believe this pertains to the federal safety agency ID #21V961, and I would like the federal safety agency to consider including my VIN in this recall.
My 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 started giving off funky fumes last year in 2024, now the fumes have turned into the smell of gas in 2025. Everytime that I call the dealership on Rockside Rd./ Broadway, located in Bedford Ohio, they give me an excuse as to why it's not their responsibility to correct the issue. What can I do?
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2024 GLE, GLS, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, CLS, AMG GT, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, causing a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 28, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on February 23, 2024, April 19, 2024, June 28, 2024, August 9, 2024, October 1, 2024, and December 2, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of the federal safety agency recall number 23V‑445.
Recall number 23V880000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2023 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, GT, GLC, GLE, GLS, and G-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle details. The fuel pump may shutdown, which can result in a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 14, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070012.
Recall number 23V445000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2019 AMG G63, C300, E300, G550, AMG GT63, AMG GT53, 2019-2020 A220, GLA250, GLC300, 2016 C300, 2020 AMG A35, AMG C43, AMG C63, CLA250, E350, E450, GLB250, GLE450, GLS450, GLS580, S560, and SL550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 22, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for the recall is 2022030003.
Recall number 21V961000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4matic and C400 4matic vehicles manufactured April 7, 2014, to July 25, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may be improperly secured to the fuel tank. Secondly, electrical wires that connect to the fuel delivery module might have been pinched between the flange of the fuel delivery module and the tank.
- Risk
- If the locking plate is not properly secured to the fuel delivery module it may become loose, and leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire. If the electrical wires are pinched, the fuel pump may stop working, resulting in a stall, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles for improperly secured locking plates and pinched wires, correcting the vehicles as necessary, free of charge. The recal began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015030004.
Recall number 15V138000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S400, S550, S550 4Matic, S63 AMG, C300, C300 4Matic, E350, GLK350, GLK350 4Matic, CL550 4Matic, and CL63 AMG vehicles manufactured from April 18, 2011, through July 12, 2011. Due to an irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the fuel filter flange may crack when operated in high temperatures.
- Risk
- If the fuel filter flange cracks, it will leak fuel which may lead to a fire if an external ignition source is present.
- Remedy
- Mercedes-Benz will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel filter, free of charge. The recall campaign is expected to begin in February 2013. Owners may contact Mercedes-Benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 12V557000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes-Benz C300 fuel smell
Which Mercedes-Benz C300 years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (46 complaints), 2015 (33 complaints) and 2011 (26 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix gas smell in the cabin on the Mercedes-Benz C300?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,288 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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