2003 Mercedes Benz E320: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Nov 30, 2024 · Fuel system · MA

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.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Fuel system · 202,800 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Mar 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MO

*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.

Filed Jul 11, 2022 · Fuel system · 73,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 2, 2022 · Fuel system · CA

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.

Filed Jun 14, 2020 · Fuel system · NH

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.

Filed Mar 4, 2020 · Fuel system · 155,000 miles · FL

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

Filed Apr 10, 2019 · Fuel system · 136,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Jul 18, 2018 · Fuel system · 200,000 miles · GA · fire

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.

Filed Nov 24, 2017 · Fuel system · 147,342 miles · VA

Fuel smell coming from left rear fuel sending unit leaking

Filed Aug 4, 2017 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was present in and around the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the failure occurred when the vehicle was fueled. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (lokey mercedes-benz, 19820 us hwy 19 n, clearwater, fl 33764) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank, fuel lines, and exhaust system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the fuel tank and fuel lines would be covered under an extended warranty. Any additional parts or labor would be at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2016 · Fuel system · 210,618 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercedes-benz e320. After the vehicle was refueled and parked, an abnormal fuel odor emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no physical evidence of a fuel leak outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,618.