PZEV fuel tank leaks at top but is not repairable. Replacement requires complete tank replacment which is not economically feasilble. This forces owners to continue to operate vehicle with fuel leakage since repair of the tank is not possible. In older models a simple gasket change would resolve such leaks, in the PZEV tank leaks can not be repaired and thus are left uncorrected. Many of these vehicles are now owned by minority owners who are unable to pay $5000 to repair a defective design. MB refuses to support owners.
2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system problems
219 complaints (55% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 88,900. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 219
- of this car's complaints
- 55%
- typical mileage
- 88,900
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Delivery: fuel pump4
- Storage: tank assembly1
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 E350 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 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 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I recently started smelling gas in my car after refueling. I was told by my mechanic that Mercedes was replacing fuel pumps and fuel tanks free of charge . Mercedes Benz customer care has advised this isn't so. This is an expensive repair and I am hoping Mercedes Benz can cover the cost of this repair and if not, offer substantial assistance.
In June 2017, I received a letter from Mercedes-Benz of America informing me that the warranty of the fuel system in my vehicle is extended to 15 years. In that same year, I had my whole fuel tank replaced by an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer in San Jose, California due to strong smell of fuel by the rear wheel well on the driver side of the car. The repair was fully cover by MB-America under this extended warranty. On November 3, 2022, I experienced the same fuel smell from the same place of the car (i.e., driver side rear wheel well) and was told that the repair will not be cover at all, even though the fuel system in my car is only 5 years old. I am writing to suggest that you impose a 15 years warranty on the fuel leak replacement parts. MB needs to stand behind their product if it was their OEM parts and done by their authorized dealer. In my case the new fuel smell was due to a cracked Fuel Pump Assembly (Part # 211 470 60 94) which was found in the brand new fuel tank installed in my car in 2017. My car is now repaired at a local shop at a fraction of the cost that MB-San Jose would have charged me. My hope is for you to help future similar customers who will experience similar issue avoiding this unjust expense. Thank you very much, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The car would not start as the fuel pump was faulty and is part of the tank design. Mbz knew of the problem because they repaired or replaced some of the cars but I was never notified till the problem. It cost me under $3,800 to repair and replace the gas tank even though they repaired a lot of cars. My repair was finished on 05/14/18. I paid $3,409.33 for the repair and I want to be reimbursed for it. I filed a complaint back in 05/31/2018 under the complaint number [xxx]. I need help to get my money back. This was a bad design on their part. Thank you, [xxx] the car would not start fuel pump faulty and is part of gas tank bad design cost me close to $3800, some paid by mbz. Mbz replaced 2009 gas tanks for free under warrenty but would not do mine. This is a bad design they should have told me about it so I would not buy the car. It is stupid to have to reaplce gas tank in order to replace a fuel pump in 2012 I had gas leakage from the same area and I paid to fix it they should have told me this would be a problem. Instead they kep silent when I take my car for service they always list of things to do so I can spend more money at the dealership why the [xxx]no body bothered to tell me about this problem that it would cost me a lot of moneyto fix . This car has cost over $60,000 to buy and I did not pay that kind of money for a car to last me only 12 years. Mbzs are supposed to last 30 years or more so ifeel cheated big time I think they are hiding this because they will get sued big time and I hope they do bothe the dealership and the mbz company. The dealership is mercedes benz of valencia in valencia, ca 91355. Phone number 661‑753‑5555. I have the necessary paperwork. I would like to be reimbursed fro all the cost, the 3 weeks without a car and fro the pain and suffering they have caused me and so it will be a lesson to mbz and their dealers not to pratice this fraud. I am available for an interview or more information as needed. Regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, fuel was noticed leaking from the vehicle onto the driveway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Noticed strong gasoline odor in left rear wheel well after filling the vehicle with fuel. Since the vehicle had just been repaired for an unrelated issue at a local Mercedes dealer, I took it back to them for troubleshooting. They diagnosed the problem as a leak at the seal on the fuel pump in the tank. I researched this issue and found it is a recurring problem for which Mercedes had offered a warranty extension of 15 years. This extension expired for my vehicle in July 2020. Cost to repair was $3,256 as after a 10% discount. I was not informed of this issue or the extended warranty despite having the vehicle serviced at Mercedes dealers multiple times since purchasing it in 2008.
Leaking fuel tank and gaskets. A strong smell of fuel internally in the vehicle and externally with a full tank of fuel. Mercedes Benz Warrantee extension PE#12001 "Covered Fuel Tank Components." Mercedes Benz denied claim because of PZEV vs non-PZEV type of vehicle. Both vehicles PZEV and non-PZEV, both use the same plastic gas tank, sending units, and fuel pump in their respective vehicles. How did the federal safety agency agree to cover non-PZEV vehicles only.
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, she started to smell an abnormal fuel odor from the rear driver’s side seat. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel level sending unit and the seals and gaskets to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that she was unable to continue driving the vehicle due to odor. The contact towed the vehicle to another local dealer, Mercedes-Benz of Myrtle Beach (936 Jason Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, (843) 848-6800) where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel line and all the seals and gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
I noticed that another owner of a 2006 e350 noted that he/she had a fuel leak. I have had one, too. The extended warrantee ran out in 2020, so mercedes wouldn't cover the repair expenses. But if they knew for 15 years that this was a problem, they should have recalled the cars. And if they aren't going to recall it, they should cover repair expenses. This is a seriously dangerous situation. It's likely that our tank has been leaking for a while. We've smelled gas for about a year, but didn't realize it was leaking until recently when there was a clear puddle in the garage.
Vehicle has less than 50k miles, we started noticing an intermittent strong fuel smell in the cabin in the spring of 2020. We found out that this is a known issue and mercedes had issued an extended warranty due to this issue. Unable to get the vehicle to the dealer due to covid. When we did get it diagnosed recently, we were informed the repair would exceed $3400 and we were out of the warranty period. The repair consists of replacing the fuel tank and fuel system components. Mercedes benz na has offered us a $400 dealer service credit. We cannot afford to do this repair and therefore have a vehicle we are unable to safely operate. We have read reports online of this issue where fuel is sitting on top of the fuel tank right below the rear passenger seats.
Questions about the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system
Does the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 219 complaints about the fuel system of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, 55% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 88,900 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Mercedes-Benz E350 have the most fuel system problems?
The Mercedes-Benz E350 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2007 (254 complaints), 2006 (219 complaints) and 2008 (87 complaints).
Other 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Engine 72Brakes 54Transmission 37Electrical 19Airbags 13Driver assistance 8Visibility 8Acceleration 7Steering 6Body 5Lights 5Tires 5Suspension 4Seats 2Wheels 2
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