The car has a strong odor of gasoline both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refueling. It appears that the gasket on the fuel tank leaks.
The worst 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Fuel system5
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Lights1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system5
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Lights1
- Suspension1
Recalls 3
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-benz is recalling my 2006-2008 m-class, r-class, my 2005-2009 slk-class, my 2005-2008 c-class, my 2003-2004 and 2006-2008 clk-class, my 2003-2008 e-class, my 2004 and 2008 cl-class, my 2008 cls-class, my 2004 and 2007-2008 s-class, my 2003 g-class, and my 2003-2004, 2006 and 2009 sl-class vehicles. A software calibration number (scn) coding received on the affected vehicles during a recent workshop visit was incorrect. Depending on the model year and model affected, the results of an incorrect scn coding can affect a number of vehicle safety and emission functions including the following types of functions: (1) the fuel gauge readings may be incorrect; (2) a stuck fuel-level sensor may not be displayed in the instrument cluster; (3) the obd system may cause the check engine light to illuminate incorrectly; and, (4) the speedometer may be out of tolerance.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump may not receive a crash signal that is required for the fuel pump to disconnect and prevent future fuel delivery as designed.
- Remedy
- Dealers will recode the scn free of charge. The recall began on august 30, 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 08V303000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, the sensotronic brake control (sbc) system may prematurely shift to the hydraulic back-up function mode, due to deterioration of the wiring harness connection, or due to premature failure of the hydraulic pump.
- Risk
- In the hydraulic back-up mode, the driver has braking power sufficient to stop the vehicle, although greater brake pedal pressure is required and the brake pedal travel will be noticeably longer.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a bracket and replacement ground wire to the sbc pump unit on all vehicles free of charge. Additionally dealers will inspect and replace the sbc pump unit in sl vehicles produced during a limited production period. The recall began on august 8, 2005. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 05V133000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, the electronic monitoring system of the sensotronic brake control (sbc) is designed to monitor the pressure gradient within the high pressure line of the brake system. If an unacceptable pressure gradient is detected, the system will switch, as it is designed to do, into the hydraulic function mode.
- Risk
- If vehicles are not routinely serviced and have extremely high mileage combined with a high number of brake actuations, or a high brake actuation frequency, the pump motor of the sbc may run out of permissible tolerances, thereby triggering the hydraulic function mode.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the sbc hydraulic unit, replacing it if necessary. The recall began on october 21m 2004. Owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 04V296000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class
Defect investigations
Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has reported a high number of warranty claims for air bag warning lamp illumination due to a diagnostic fault code 9103 or 9123 indicating a high resistance in the driver's frontal air bag firing circuit.MBUSA's testing and evaluation have shown that this condition is the result of a faulty connector (specifically, improper wire crimp) but that it will not prevent proper deployment of the driver's frontal air bag.The faulty connector can cause the air bag circuit resistance levels to exceed the threshold that illuminates the air bag warning lamp, but they do not exceed a higher limit at which proper deployment of the air bag may no longer occur.The agency believes that further expenditure of agency resources does not appear to be warranted at this time.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.During the investigation, ODI learned that MBUSA will initiate a warranty extension program to address the faulty connectors in subject model year 2005 and 2006 E-Class and other MBUSA model/model year vehicles.This action will extend the warranty coverage for this issue to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.MBUSA will notify all affected vehicle owners of this action.A bulletin describing this program is available in the investigative file.
PE10017
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class 22
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
- Mercedes-benz: there are electrical production quality issues that cause the air bag warning light to...
- Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was...
- Mercedes-benz: model 211.026, 065, 070, 076, 082, 083, 265, 276, 282, 283 (e-class). VIN A564853 and...
- Mercedes benz: model 211.026, 056, 065, 070, 072, 076, 077, 082, 083, 087, 090, 256, 265, 276, 277, 282,...
- Mercedes benz service campaign: check fuel filter module assembly and repair or replace if necessary
- Inspect transmission pilot bushing at electrochydraulic unit and replace if necessary
- The tirefit hose connector may not screw onto the tire valve with an air tight seal
- Dirt CAN collect in the rear sleeves on the front axle carrier
- The alternator regulator may fail to prevent voltage values ranging beyond the specified tolerance limits
2005 Mercedes Benz E Class fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl Diesel | RWD | 23 | 33 | 27 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 25 | 20 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 22-23 | 19 |
| 5.0L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 18-19 | 16 |
| 5.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 19 | 15 |
What 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
During the past 2-3 years, my wife and I began to notice a gasoline vapors in our closed garage immediately after our 2005 e320 had been refueled. We also noticed that after a few days driving, the gasoline vapors, diminished. More recently, it also seemed that the gasoline odor has been stronger after refueling. In addition, my wife, while driving this car, has recently begun to smell gasoline vapors from inside the car, and while driving. During a recent visit to my dealer for servicing, I asked them to look into the issue. They removed the rear seat, filled the fuel tank, and then discovered gasoline leaking and puddling around the fuel sending unit. To correct the problem, the dealer told me to either 1) replace the original fuel tank with a slightly redesigned tank, or 2) when refueling, fill the gas tank to a level less than completely full. They admitted that the existing design probably contributed to the leaking. The dealer stated also that a replacement fuel tank would cost us around $2,600 and the cost would not be covered under any vehicle warranty, including the emissions warranty. This car was purchased new in dec 2004 and now has 75000 mi. In another 2 weeks, it will be 8 years old. My greatest concern is that the gas tank design and subsequent gasoline leakage could contribute to a vehicle fire and serious bodily injury if the vehicle were involved in a collision. This is not to minimize the impact of having to breath gasoline vapors that are inside the vehicle and while driving it. We believe there is a serious design defect, and that it should be remedied by mercedes-benz and at their cost as soon as possible. Further, for us to not ?fill-up? The fuel tank at any time, does not correct the flawed design, thus is not really an ownership option.
We first noticed a strong fuel smell when the vehicle was filled up, but shortly after we will the vehicle fuel started to drip onto the pavement near the drivers side rear wheel area.
Fuel tank was leaking under the back seat when fill up tank.
I filled my gas tank and the next day I smelled gas both near my drivers side wheel well and inside the car in the rear seat area. I filled the car as I always did until click and I am sure none spilled, as I am very fussy about my car. I cannot put the car in the garage as it fills the garage with fumes. This has happened twice now upon fueling up. It never happened before. I have seen where others I know have the same type of problem with the same model mercedes.
Poor visibility at night secondary to light lens fogging deterioration of plastic lens material necessitating using high beams all the time.
On or about june 22, 2009, I was driving home on interstate 64 when the left front spring broke for no apparent reason. I did not hit a pot hole and the car was not involved in an accident. This caused the left front shock to immediately break. The front end of the car fell onto the tire while driving 70 MPH. I had to have the vehicle towed. The mercedes dealer could offer no explanation for this problem. I corresponded by e-mail with 2 mercedes representatives who told me they could do nothing for me because the car was out of warranty. The warranty was out at 50,000.00 miles and the car had approx. 56,000.00 miles at the time. I explained that I knew the car was out of warranty when I called, however, I consider this to be a premature failure that could have caused an accident resulting in serious injury or death. The mercedes reps told me I purchased the car as a used vehicle and they could do nothing and hoped that my confidence in mercedes would be restored as I continued drive the vehicle. The mercedes dealership told me the car would not be safe unless I replaced the spring and shock on both sides. The repair bill was just under $1,800.00.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 MPH the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. Upon inspection, the dealership was unable to duplicate the problem and no repairs were made. The manufacturer was alerted. The consumer stated the air bag and engine light illuminated. Updated 03/28/06.
I have a mercedes-benz e-class cdi that has a defect in the braking system. This is not a safety issue, but rather the brakes make a high pitched squeaking noise when applied. I have been told that this is a known problem in germany and that the noise cannot be fixed. This problem began within 1 month of the purchase of this vehicle. Purchase date 4-29-05
Compare the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class
Other model years
199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062008
Questions about the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class
Is the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class, close to a typical E Class model year.
What is the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class year score?
The 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz E Class: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 5 complaints. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class range from 15 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl diesel, RWD) gets 23 city and 33 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2005 Mercedes Benz E Class?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history