2003 Mercedes Benz E320: fuel pump failure

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · AZ

Fuel leaking to the inside of passenger compartment under access port under rear seat cushion, that's the location of the fuel pump. I made an appointment with tucson mercedes benz to inspect the car since I believed that a mercedes recall would correct the problem. I had several discussions with service advisor mark schofield and he assured me twice that the recall is in place and they would fix the fuel system defects without charge. He called me this evening and told me all about why tucson mercedes would not cover the repair, I was told the extended warranty program ended 2/21/2018. I bought the car on 4/5/18, filled it up with gas on 4/08/18 and the car was filled with fumes that night as well as in my garage. Tucson mercedes first said that the tank was leaking at the vent tube between the left and right access points. He told me that the cost would normally be $3000 but he reduced it to $2000. I asked mark how the fuel could run across the top of the tank, climb the locking ring and puddle on top of the left side fuel pump? He also told me that mercedes could not just replace a portion of the fuel system without replacing the entire fuel system, including the tank. Also, not true. He said that upon a second examination was made and there appears to be a crack on top of the fuel pump and now that's where the leak is coming from. Now his price to repair all is $770 + tax. After a few words more, the price dropped to $700 + tax. I feel that mercedes should just fix my vehicle and call it good. This learned that this car had a fuel pump installed at 59,000 miles. I missed their self imposed cut off date by about 6 weeks, not so much time for such a serious manufacturing defect to health and safety. The fumes inside my car and garage could have caused a fire or worse yet, an explosion. The problem first appeared after the first time I filled the tank.

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Fuel system · 103,000 miles · CA

Mercedes informed that they would not honor their warranty to cover their faulty fuel pumps. I have had several conversation with susan (executive referral manager) and she declined my request to pay for the invoice. My fuel pump failed and I had to have it replaced before the car had serious problems.

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Fuel system · 175,000 miles · MA

After fuel filter replacement, vehicle operated fine for about 7 miles. While idling a couple of minutes in the driveway upon return from the short trip, the return line hose exiting the fuel filter expanded, ruptured, and sprayed fuel out at a high rate. After hose was repaired, fuel gushed out of evaporative canister discharge tube and purge valve canister. Vise grips placed on the rubber tube leading from the return line to the canister stopped the gusher. New fuel filter that was just installed (pronto pf5416) was suspected to be defective - causing excessive return line fuel volume. With the poor design of the return line plumbing and restriction back to the tank, the excess volume was piling up in the evaporative canister and out the purge valve in a massive gushing leak. Once a second new fuel filter was fitted (purolator f65416), vehicle ran properly again without leakage - however, severe leakage from the top of the evaporative canister was noted during a fillup attempt shortly afterwards. This never occurred in the prior to the filter replacement. From all indications, the design is very poor and susceptible to any conditions which result in excessive return line fuel volume. The amount of fuel pouring out of the top of the evaporative canister assembly and discharge was indeed a fire and environmental hazard - the equivalent of an open fuel pump output discharge. In addition to all of this, during the filter replacement/testing process, loud banging was heard from the tank itself. Removal of the gas cap resulted in a massive pressure release. From my observations as a mechanic with over 25 years experience servicing foreign cars, the ventilation and fuel pressurization system on this vehicle is improperly designed and unsafe. Vehicle was on a lift while being serviced.

Filed Feb 2, 2015 · Fuel system · 59,000 miles · WA

Strong gas odor after filling gas tank. While in for service on vehicle other than gas odor mechanic at dealership found gas on skid pan under car while on rack. He said tank or possible o ring may be at fault. This was september of 2012. At that time I decided not to pursue repairs due to financial restraints. This january of 2015 I received a warranty extension addendum stating " specifically, the warranty on the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and related gaskets ( collectively the "covered fuel tank components") for gasoline-fueled, non pzev certified model year 2003-2009 e class and 2006-2011cls- class vehicles will be extended from original 4 year/ 50,000 miles (whichever occurs first) to 15 years, regardless of mileage." today I left my 2003 e320 for service to address the problem. Dealership called and said the fuel tank sending unit was leaking but is not covered under warranty extension addendum! As stated above the "fuel filter/sender" is covered under the addendum but dealer doesn't want to acknowledge the letter I received from mercedes-benz USA, llc. I understand a class action lawsuit has been filed against mercedes concerning this matter. Is there anything your agency can due so mercedes honors their addendum and not change the coverage once they have your car torn apart. I did show letter to service representative before I left the car. Thank you for you time.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Fuel system · 74,703 miles · TX

On several occasions between 2005 and 2015, I smelled gas inside of my car after filling the tank. Gas soaked my back seat and carpet behind driver's seat, and leaked out the right (driver's) side of the car. When I took into the mercedes dealer in sugar land on april 9, 2008, they were unable to diagnose the problem. After then, I avoided filling up the tank. On december 12, 2012, I filled the tank by accident and the fuel soaked by back seat and leaked out the right side of the car. I took it to an auto repair shop, and the fuel pump seal was replace.then on july 1, 2014, the fuel pump went out and had to be replaced along with the fuel pump relay.

Filed Nov 5, 2014 · Fuel system · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 98,197 miles · MD

I had a gasoline to leak in the well under the passenger seats in the back of my 2003 e320 mercedes benz. This is a serious safety hazard. About 2 weeks ago, I had to spend $1200.00 to replace a fuel pump on my 2003 e 320 mercedes benz. When will mercedes benz recall these models for fuel pump problems? They were never able to detect the problems while this car was under warranty, but now it's coming up 11 years later. Over 40 complaints have been sent to the consumer product safety commission (cpsc) about this problem, but mercedes is still saying that there are no recalls, nor do they have any knowledge of these fuel leak problems. There are also owners in other states with the exact problem, but listed below is a complaint on cpsc's website from a laurel, md 2003 e320 owner with the same problems that I'm experiencing: jul 31, 2011 - laurel, md - gasoline my 2003 mercedes benz e320, in which the fuel filters are located underneath the rear seat, had a powerful gasoline order inside the vehicle. The benz repair shop stated it was a hairline fracture in the fuel filter and it was leaking gas. They replaced the filters, but I've seen them replace the same type filters in 2008 models. I think this is a defective product and a safety hazard. If me or my spouse had been a smoker, or caused a spark, we could've potentially caused a fatal explosion. I think this needs to be investigated.

Filed Aug 16, 2013 · Fuel system · 124,995 miles · CA

There was gasoline leaking from the top of the fuel sending unit, around the fuel sending unit, under the rear passenger seat and actual liquid fuel was going into the cabin of the vehicle. The strong and intense fumes and vapors are inside the cabin and apparent after filling the fuel tank only half to three-quarters full. Both of these pose an extreme danger of fire hazard, as well as a health risk from constantly inhaling gasoline fumes. This allowed fumes to leak into my garage and presented a huge fire risk had I not discovered the problem. A gas tank should not fail under normal wear and tear, but in october 2012 I paid over $1,600 for a new fuel tank, in april 2013 I paid over $1,200 for a new fuel pump and in august 2013 I paid over $700 for another new fuel pump. This is a recurring problem and the company does not seem interested in taking any action whatsoever. I believe this is a huge safety concern and I hope something can be done to rectify and remedy this situation. Consumers deserve better than this. Update09/17/13*lj updated 09/24/2013 *js

Filed May 29, 2013 · Fuel system · 97,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that the there was a strong gasoline fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle would frequently hesitate to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The contact was advised that the fuel pump neck and the fuel pump sending unit failed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 97,000.

Filed Dec 13, 2012 · Fuel system · 169,500 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that fuel leaked onto the passenger side rear floorboard and the odor of gasoline fuel was prominent in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel pump and the fuel tank failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 169,500.