I purchased a 2005 mercedes benz e320 which has been garaged and very lightly driven. (only on weekends or days off) after six months and refueling a few times I started to notice an odor of gas in the cabin of the vehicle. This odor has gotten worse and stronger over time. The odor is also noticeable in the garage as well as around the exterior of the car. This seems like an indication that more gas is present and possibly leaking somewhere near the gas tank. I am fearful of driving it as the concern over fire is present as my kids ride in the rear seat. I would appreciate someone looking into/investigating this to see if it is indeed a mercedes problem and possible recall prospect.
2005 Mercedes Benz E320 fuel system complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 122, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would emit a strong gasoline fuel inside the cabin. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a diagnostic test, which confirmed a leaking fuel sending unit that caused fuel to leak behind the rear seats. The dealer replaced the fuel sending unit. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 71,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that after refueling, a gasoline odor was inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the fuel sending unit had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. ....updated 10-21-13 *bf gas was leaking upwards from the sending unit, under the rear seat. Updated 10/23/13
Strong gas smell in the cabin and in my garage after I'd fuel up. Researched online and found many with similar experiance. Sending unit.
When the strong vapor of gasoline first occurred, I promptly took my vehicle to the dealership. After examination, the vehicle required a new gasket on the fuel sending unit. This corrected the strong fuel vapor after fill-up until now. In june 2013, with approximately 73,000 miles, the strong vapor reappeared both inside and outside the vehicle. Upon inspection by mercedes benz coral gables, I was told the vehicle required a new fuel tank, as there is a small crack at the top of the tank. The tank was not dropped, but rather, the diagnosis was based on previous experience by the service department. An occurrence they have seen in the amg class and appearing as well with the e class. I elected not to fix the problem as I was informed that as long as "you don't fill up all the way" it shouldn't be a problem. I subsequently called two additional mb dealers and the service writer at each business said the same thing. I want to make a formal complaint with the federal safety agency so that my vehicle is logged with the many others and addressed by mercedes, as it would appear this is a defect in the design of the fuel tank or a defective part. A recall is the only solution, and if mercedes benz's reputation is based on "safety", then this is the only viable resolution.
When the fuel tank is filled 100% there is a very strong fuel odor, which can be smelled in the outdoors but is extremely strong when parked in the attached garage. This odor is so strong that it enters the house, and we have to leave the garage door wide open for fear of a spark causing a fire. If one looks under the car there is no dripping. The odor does not go away until the fuel tank is no longer completely full. The fuel leak stops after we are down a couple gallons from completely full fuel tank. I have pulled the back seat and seen that the there is gasoline pooling around the fuel pump (fuel delivery module). I am concerned that a rear end collision would cause the leaking fuel to combust.
In 2009 we started to notice the smell of gasoline coming into the passenger compartment and strongly from the left read wheel well following filling the tank with gas. At times the smell of gasoline would be so strong that the vehicle had to be parked outside of the garage and left open to vent the interior. In all, this vehicle has been serviced for this issue with the fuel sending seals or the fuel sending unit 9 times. All instances, save one, were reported by the dealer to be the seals as the culprit. I have all of my service documentation on these service events. Recently, as a result of a "check engine" light, my mechanic found again that the seal was leaking. On this occasion he reported fuel pooled on the top of the tank and evidence that fuel had been spilling around and down the tank. ..updated 09/30/13 *bf *tr updated 11/1/2013
When 2005 e320 has gas tank filled, there is an overwhelming fuel odor in the passenger compartment and outside the vehicle. The fumes dissipate when the fuel level decreases from full to 3/4. Car was taken to mercedes dealer for service and this problem was listed for the repair person. They found no problem. Year and a half later, I again asked mercedes dealer to look at this issue. They said it was a leak in the fuel sending unit which is connected into the top of the gas tank. At a cost of $800, the fuel sending unit was replaced. I picked up the vehicle and the fuel smell inside the car was so strong it made me and two clients nauseous with severe headaches the following day. I returned the car to the dealer, and upon further inspection, they now tell me the fuel sending unit was leaking but the gas tank itself also is cracked and leaking which needs to be replaced for another $2,000. I opened a complaint with mercedes benz USA. After their sham of an investigation, they said they would offer me a 50% discount on the fuel tank replacement or assistance on the purchase of a new vehicle. The car now has 118,000 miles and is out of warranty. I have no choice but to make the repairs. You should not have to replace a gas tank on a vehicle of any age, and I am afraid of continued safety problems from poor engineering design with the replacement parts if the car is involved in any accident.
The car has a strong gasoline smell both in the passenger compartment as well as outside the car after filling the gas tank. This smell persists for several days, until the tank gets to below 3/4 full, at which time the fuel smell goes away. The strong fuel smell returns when the tank is again refilled to full capacity. The seals around the fuel pump and sending unit at the top of the tank were replaced twice with factory mercedes-benz parts by a qualified mechanic, and this has not stopped the problem. There appears to be a leak in the gas tank or other fuel system component. The mechanic inspected the fuel sending unit and did not see any fuel leaks at that point, leaving me to suspect a leaking gas tank.
Strong smell of gasoline after filling gas tank.
Strong gasoline odor inside the cabin and garage after fill up, bought the car used from kendall dodge in miami fl. The day before, filled up twice after that and the smell of gas is dangerously present every time. The car is no longer under warranty and repair costs over $2000.00.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle was traveling approximately 40 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle immediately became engulfed in flames. The driver was fatally injured with trauma to the head. The passenger was fatally injured with trauma to the torso and the two rear passengers died from smoke inhalation. The police were on scene and a report was filed. The contact stated that the fuel system may have been the cause of the fire that erupted upon impact. The cause of the fire was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
I own a 2005 mercedes benz e 320. I noticed the smell of gasoline coming from the car, especially after filling up, for several months. It had gotten progressively worse over time, so I had it checked early on by my mechanic but observed no leaks. The gas vapors continued to become worse, so bad that I had to park the car outside for fear of explosion and/or fire. My gas water heater is in the garage and my childrens bedroom is above it. Early on, my whole family began having headaches, nausea, and burning watery eyes. We now know it was gasoline vapors emitting from the faulty gas tank seals which are located below the rear seats. I took it to the dealer near my home; walters mercedes benz. The service agent, [xxx], called and said that the seals in the gas tank were leaking and it would cost $750 to replace them. Also, the technician observed some possible leaking on another hose to the tank and it would be $2,400 to have the whole tank replaced. I found this outrageous, but had no other choice. After doing some research I found that mercedes had a recall because of the same problem to other cars similar to mine. The service managers at walters said that my VIN number didn't match the recall. So, I called mb USA (800‑367‑6372) to have a case opened. [xxx] (ext [xxx]) is the case investigator assigned. His supervisor is [xxx]. (ext [xxx]). I explained the above to andrew h. Who stated that he would be contacting walters service department manager and get back to me within 48 hours. Mb USA refused to admit or solve the problem. I paid to have the entire gas tank replaced. 3/13/13 @ 9:33 call from (201)476-6200 mb case investigator [xxx] ext.[xxx] general number for mb 800‑367‑6372 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My car remits strong gasoline odor each time that I refuel my tank. When I noticed this smell I thought it had to do with the gas cap. I took my car in to be inspected by a local mercedes dealership and was told my fuel tank is leaking and needed to be replaced. My car had about 45000 miles on it when I first noticed the smell. A car with that low of mileage should not be experiencing a fuel tank leak. I am serious concerned about my car catching fire and exploding. Please help.
The fuel tank leaks when tank is filled above 3/4 . Gas pools under rear seat and leaks under car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that after refueling, a fuel odor was smelled inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the fuel tank had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000 and the current mileage was 125,000. Updated 05/28/13*lj updated 06/11/2013
Fuel leak, smell of gasoline in garage. Possible leaking fuel tank, leaking fuel sending unit or fuel sensor malfunction. It is dangerous and may cause fire or explosion due to the fuel leak. It needs to be recalled to fix this dangerous issue.
Couple of months back, I started to get the strong gas smell every time I fill up the gas tank. The smell stays there for 2-3 days. It's so strong that it fills up the whole garage with that foul gas smell. Sometime we can even smell it in our laundry. The entire car cabin gets full of fuel smell after I fill up the tank and my kids refuse to sit in the car. I always fill up gas at chevron and it comes with techron. I was thinking that it's the techron smell and since it used to go away in a day or two, I never worried about it much. But today when I took the car to the dealer to fix some other things, he also noticed the gas smell and told me that the left fuel sending unit on my car is leaking and needs replacement. It seems to be a very common issue with e class cars and mb should recall or repair it for free.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that when refueling, she smelled a strong gasoline fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle cabin. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure nor repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 67,000. Updated 4/26/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that there was strong odor of gasoline inside and outside of the vehicle after being refueled. An appointment was secured with the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that after refueling, there was a strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that the fuel tank fill failed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes benz e320. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel smell. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed fuel leaking from the fuel sending unit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 48,500.
About a year ago, we noticed a mild gas smell after fill up. The smell used to go away in a matter of hours, so we attributed that to possible spill during refill. Gradually, smell became stronger and lasted longer. Early january 2013, after a recent fill up, we stored the car in garage for 2 weeks while using our other vehicle. The smell became so strong, it was felt in laundry room next to the garage. Smell wouldn't go away so we suspected a gas leak. Upon examination by dealer, it was found that there is significant gas leak under rear seat (passenger side). The leak was from a defective fuel filter and sender unit. We found out that this is a very common defect with 2005 e320 class cars. Indeed manufacturer had issued a recall in 2008 covering leaking fuel filters. The recall included 2005 e320 but apparently did not include my vehicle. This is a serious safety/health hazard that should have been addressed by the manufacturer.
For the last several weeks we have smelled a gas odor in our garage and on the inside of our 2005 mercedes benz e-320. Since an odor of gas creates the possibility of a fire or environmental concern we scheduled an appointment for 01/22/2013 (today). The car is currently in fields motorcars - 209 s. Lake parker avenue, lakeland, fl 33801. We are also having the annual service done at this time. After inspection this morning, the mechanic advised our service writer that there is a leak in the fuel tank. Based on their recommendation the fuel tank is being replaced. Any fuel leak has a potential for dangerous and fatal consequences. The cost for this is approximately $2000.00. I have been advised the fuel tank leak is not covered by the factory warranty, nor is there a government mandated recall. The vehicle is tentatively scheduled to be completed and returned to us tomorrow, 01/23/2013. In researching the fuel tank leak in our vehicle, I have found there is ample information indicating the fuel tank leaking issue is not limited to my vehicle. I also noted that in february, 2012 the federal safety agency has opened up an investigation into this matter. In addition, the texas law firm wigington, rumley dunn & ritch along with georgia law firm conley griggs partin filed a class action lawsuit on july 18, 2012, against mercedes-benz, USA and its german parent corporation daimler on behalf of thousands of consumers who purchased model year 2003-2009 mercedes-benz e-class vehicles. As a consumer placed in these dangerous circumstances without relief by the manufacturer, I desire to share this information with the federal safety agency to assist them with their investigation regarding the 2003 ' 2009 mercedes benz e class fuel tank leaks. We have owned the vehicle since new and it has approximately 44,000 miles on the odometer. *tr updated 1/30/13 *cn updated 2/13/13 *cn updated 2/15/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes-benz e320. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor while the fuel tank was filled. The contact inspected the vehicle and found the fuel tank had leaked and fuel entered the vehicle and collected in the rear driver side floor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the fuel gasket had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage 100,000.
Fuel leak in fuel tank. Around sending unit and somewhere else I can't track down.
Very strong fuel odor from car, looked under car expecting a leak but could not see anything, researched online further found similar stories posted by other owners of this vehicle. Asked my mercedes benz mechanic, he confirmed that there was a problem with the fuel tanks on these cars and benz refuses to issue a recall on them! Cost according to my mechanic is approx $2000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mercedes e320. The contact stated that while inside of the vehicle, she could smell gasoline but there was no indication of a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection where they stated that there was a crack in the fuel plate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the failure was common but would not be covered under factory warranty. The failure mileage was 105,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Every time the car is filled up with gas, there is a very strong gas smell inside and outside of the vehicle. Removed the back seat and the plate that covers the fuel sending unit and gas puddles up around the seal of the sending unit. Had seal replaced, but that only helped for about a month. It only does this when tank is full (probably due to the pressure in the tank). This problem seems to be getting worse and I try to avoid filling tank completely, but sometimes it's hard to tell when it's getting close to full. The problem only seems to occur on the driver's side of the car, even though there is also a sending unit on the passenger side.
Noticed a strong gas smell after fill ups. Brought the car to the dealer expecting it to be a seal or something but found out that the top of the tank is prone to cracking around the inlet. When the fuel is full it leaks. Apparently this is a common problem with the e class. Seems very dangerous to have a car that is only a few years old that has a problem with a leaky gas tank? I think it cost between 2k and 3k to replace the tank. I really don't think a car that is that expensive,that new should have a issue like this?
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