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Mercedes Benz E Class fuel smell problems

16 of the 297 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz E Class describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2003 model year.

owner complaints
16
worst model year
2003
typical mileage
80,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

What owners say

Filed Apr 29, 2014 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · AZ

My whole garage smells like gasoline whenever we fill up the gas tank. The smell will remain until we drive the car for a few days, consuming perhaps 1/4 of the tank. This has been on-going only for the last year.

Filed Jan 11, 2014 · Fuel system · 73,410 miles · CA

Whenever my car filled up (not over fill) with gasoline, the strong gasoline smell will last a few days. The car was investigated by mercedes dealer, they found fuel puddled at sender underneath the rear seat on left side. They stated that the car is not safe for use at this time due to fire hazard. However, they won't fix it as manufacture defect and would charge me for $1,300.00 and I didn't repair it since it is too expensive. I also the fuel sending unit is not the part that need regular service and should not be ware out. Mercedes benz need to issue a recall on this problem.

Filed Nov 26, 2013 · Fuel system · 73,410 miles · CA

Each time after fill up the gasoline (no over fill), I have to smell the fuel smell for one or two days. I had this problem since 2009, but the odor is getting extremely strong. I went to a local mercedes deal for inspection,they charged me $175 and insisted that it is not recall item. The inspection shows: 73412 fuel sender leaking fuel, vehicle not safe for use at this time due to fire hazard, inspected vehicle found gasoline leaking from rear of vehicle, removed rear seat and inspection cover for fuel sender, found fuel puddled at sender. I think the leaking is caused by defected parts which suppose to last life time long. Mercedes should recall this item.

Filed Nov 18, 2013 · Fuel system · 83,633 miles · TX

The car exudes a very strong smell of gasoline. The gasoline odor is so strong that I can no longer park the car in the garage of our house as the fumes are so overpowering they seep into the home living areas and cannot be tolerated (breathing). Overall, the gas fumes are strong enough that I do fear that something external (cooking, water heater pilot light) could possibly cause spontaneous fume ignition/fire.

Filed Oct 31, 2013 · Fuel system · 53,000 miles · AZ

Strong odor of gasoline evident after fill up. This coincided with accuracy issues of the fuel gauge, where vehicle now runs out of gas when gauge indicates 1/4 tank. The strong smell of gas happens now repeatedly with every fill up, which seems to indicate some form of leakage at or near the top of the tank.

Filed Aug 14, 2013 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · FL

There's strong gasoline odor from my vehicle whenever I refuel, particular after it's garaged. The smell seems to go away once I used up 1/3 or 1/2 tank. Recently the smell seems to be stronger. I can smell it even when it's not garaged.

Filed Jul 15, 2013 · Fuel system · CA

My e 320 has gas smell in my garage after refueling since june/2012. The smell is getting even stronger for last a few months.

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · CA

I'm writing to lodge a complaint concerning a dangerous fuel leak into the cabin of my parents' 2006 mercedes benz e 350 (VIN [xxx]), which has resulted in gas soaking the rear insulation pad, sound pad, & rear seat cushion, all of which are "soaked" in gas (per the repair recommendation from mb of san diego). I should add that the car only has about 55k miles. My mom is 76 and my dad is 82. They don't drive much-- just local errands. The only reason my mom caught this one was the strong gas smell in the cabin. I am writing to you directly for the following reasons: 1.this relates to your on-going investigation #pe12-001. 2.the fuel leak presents a dangerous risk of fire and risk of gas fume inhalation to the driver and passengers. 3.the fuel from the leak does in fact soak into rear insulation pad, sound pad, & rear seat cushion, despite the incorrect denial of that fact by mb-USA to the federal safety agency. (see letter from mb-USA to you.) 4.the service advisor at mb of san diego told me last week that he has personally seen a lot of these fuel leaks into the cabin with mbs. I have asked the dealer performing the repair to save the defective the part(s) and the soaked insulation pad, sound pad, & rear seat cushion. It is available for your inspection.[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr.. Updated 02-07-13 *bf *tr updated 2/12/2013 *js 02/15/2013

Filed Dec 17, 2012 · Fuel system · TX

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.

Filed Dec 7, 2012 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · LA

Had to replace the fuel pump now I have to replace the fuel tank. Can not fill my fuel tank if so the fuel smell fills my home because I park in the garage. Took it to my mechanic and was told to watch for flames it could cause serious problems. Please help with this issue.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Mercedes Benz E Class fuel smell

Which Mercedes Benz E Class years have gas smell in the cabin problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2003 (5 complaints), 2006 (5 complaints) and 2004 (3 complaints).

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