I inherited my dad's 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 when he passed away last year. He kept the car in pristine condition. About a month ago while driving it, I noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. The odor is strong just after filling the tank, and then it disappears at appox. 3 quarters of a tank. This issue has been physically challenging for me, making me dizzy and giving me migraines. I'm also very concerned about the safety issues relating to gasoline fumes inside the car... My understanding is that this is a common issue for the said Mercedes Benz model and year. It is a dangerous parts defect that is unacceptable.
2003 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system problems
88 complaints (41% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 105,000.
- owner complaints
- 88
- of this car's complaints
- 41%
- typical mileage
- 105,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
EA13003
What 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor throughout the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a fuel leak coming from underneath the vehicle, above the fuel tank. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,800.
*1. The Fuel Tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned. *2. After filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3The car has been taken to a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center and was told that the problem was the gas tank and system/components. *4.The car was inspected by a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center Mechanic *5. There were NO warning lamps or messages on the dashboard or message center on car. The only symptoms of the problem was the strong odor of gasoline fumes after fuel fill ups.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. The contact removed the rear seat where the fuel tank was located and discovered that fuel was leaking into the vehicle underneath the rear seat instead of going into the fuel tank. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
After fueling up, a smell of gas occurs. Slight gas puddle forms under the car after every fuel up. Drops gas gauge down and after that no more smell of fuel but still slight puddle of gas after leaving the car parked. Noticed it about a month ago and it seems to get worse. Doesn't seem safe knowing the car is leaking fuel.
When my windows are down and im driving you can smell gasoline very strongly in the car. Even worse in the back seat area. Especially if my gas tank is filled. Im constantly getting a warning to check the gas cap and the gas light goes off flashing then my check engine light will go on.
Fuel smell coming from within cabin first noticed october 2018 told it was probably was charcoal filter not a big deal when filling tank with fuel it sometimes happens, and was recently noticed when tires where changed that fuel smell and looked like leakage of gas. Was told this was a known defect and as the second owner was never informed in any capacity. This is a safety concern which in my opinion if they knew, all owners should have been notified asap. I am not sure what I can do, or can be done, but this is certainly not acceptable if it is a known defect. This was noticed when vehicle was not moving. I want the american public to know, we may have others out their with the same problem not knowing this. What a shame for mercedes if they have not contacted people. I started reviewing what I could find on web sites, attached is a the federal safety agency document.
When filling fuel tank very strong smell of gas inside of car and outside. When to mercedes dealership and explained the fault and they wanted $5000 to correct issue.found out there was a safety recall on this issue, and they refused to expedite as they said it was for 15 years and that had expired. No recall notices had been sent to me or the previous owner.I have had car for 4 years, previos owner had it for 6.contacted head office in atlanta still would not cover the issue
Gas tank leaks, car is 2 years out of coverage for gas tank. The original program did not leave much room for 2003 owners to be eligible. The tank leak at the top is an inherent design flaw that mercedes admits is a problem but washes their hands of it after the program eligibility expiration. There is a noticeable gas smell coming from the left rear wheel area and the leak can be seen coming from the top of the tank when the fuel filter access plate is removed.
Daughter drives this car. I have owned it since 2005. Mercedes never notified us nor made us aware of an extended warranty on the defective fuel tanks. A mechanic told us about the warranty and told us to contact mercedes immediately. February 2018 I contacted corporate office and they told me twice that I needed to have the car taken to mercedes dealership and have them confirmed the issue. Twice mercedes corporate office reps told me to drive it to dealership and have them evaluate the car, contact corporate for an " exception". I did just so. The car runs okay, however, the strong gas smell inside the car is frightening and I had the car towed to the mercedes dealership because I could not chance my daughter dying in a automobile explosion. As a matter of fact, we have been renting cars from enterprise for my daughter for the past 2 months since her car is out of commission. For god's sake, she's our daughter and the car could explode! The dealership confirmed that the fuel tank is indeed defective and is eligible for the repair. However, the reps at corporate decided to not to extend the "exception" after all. Mercedes never notified us of the fuel tank defect/recall/warranty extension. Though it's drivable, I refuse to have my daughter risk her life. I did everything corp office said I should do and now they are back peddling. They are making us pay for the roundtrip towing and this is unfair. Gross misrepresentation. Driving with a fuel tank leak is deadly. They need to honor this repair. They should not have instructed me to tow a car to their authorized dealership if they knew from the beginning that they were not going to make the exception.
Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system
Does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 88 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320, 41% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 105,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Mercedes Benz E320 have the most fuel system problems?
The Mercedes Benz E320 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2005 (122 complaints), 2004 (117 complaints) and 2003 (88 complaints).
Other 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 problems
Brakes 77Electrical 21Airbags 19Suspension 11Transmission 11Engine 10Driver assistance 7Body 4Seat belts 4Acceleration 3Lights 3Tires 3Visibility 3Steering 2Seats 1Wheels 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Mercedes Benz E320?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history