Gas smells.
2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system problems
87 complaints (50% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 89,000.
- owner complaints
- 87
- of this car's complaints
- 50%
- typical mileage
- 89,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly1
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
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 2008 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My car displayed all of the issues listed below for the Electrical system recall. The fuel gague went "blank", other gagues acting irradical, the check engine light stay on, etc. My car make and model fall under this recall but have been excluded. I had to pay out of pocket $4678.50 to replace the entire fuel tank due to this and the Manufacture (Mercedes Benz) is refusing to reimburse me. (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.
This is a PZEV vehicle. When the car is filled over 3/4th of the way, the driver's side near the back tire starts to leak the fuel. There was no warning lights, just the smell and the leaks. It's obvious why this is a safety hazard. This was not inspected by anyone other than myself as it was quite obvious after removing the back seat and accessing the sending unit location. This started after I resolved a fuel pump issue (back in March, resolved this month) Mercedes refused to handle ($3k) and noticed on or around 9/24/24.
On [XXX] I was driving and the vehicles stalled in the middle of the street, I couldn’t start it back. I managed to contact AAA and had the vehicle towed to my home because it around 6pm and auto repair shops were closed. Next morning I had AAA towed the vehicle to a local auto repair shop and they told me that fuel pump failed. It would have been very dangerous if we were driving on the freeway, not to mention I had my 85 year old mother in the passenger seat. Please help me as I am sure what I need to do now. It’s a Mercedes-Benz model E350 2008. I can be reached at [XXX] my name is [XXX] . My car has 87,200 miles. Thank you in advance for all your helps. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Smell of gasoline in the cabin and real bad outside of car
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. In addition, the engine began to sputter while idling. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the fuel tank sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; and the mechanic discovered that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.
Gasoline smell all times inside of the car.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while refueling, the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that the odor was present whether the vehicle was turned off or running. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
My car has smelled like gas for the past few years. Also it has not past inspection for the past 2 years. Mercedes said it was due to a defective intake manifold. Paid to replace the intake manifold and Mercedes said 2 new codes appeared. Now the gas tank, fuel pumps, brackets and hoses need to be replaced at a cost of of over 3500. The fuel pumps were replaced in 2014. Not sure why I continue to have problems with fuel pumps and now gas tank. Was informed this year after replacing the intake manifold that there was an extended warranty that concluded December 2022. I think Mercedes should resolve this as other vehicles had this same safety issue.
Very strong gas smell both inside and outside of the car with check engine light on. This happened in May of 2022. Could not park the car inside the garage. Contacted MBUSA, they said there is an extended warranty for this vehicle for this problem, advised me to take it to Mercedes dealer. I took the car to the dealer. They checked it out and said it is not covered under the extended warranty because it has passed the mileage ceiling for PZEV which I do not know what PZEV is. I checked the federal safety agency website, it says 15 years unlimited miles. I had no other choice but to fix the car at the dealer and pay for the cost. A few months later MBUSA sent me a letter telling me although it has passed the mileage I might be eligible for a refund and wanted me to file a claim at the dealership. I did and after over two months the dealer again told me it is not covered. I paid about $1100 for the repair and told MBUSA that the dealer does not honor what the MBUSA letter says. Now even MBUSA does not honor what they wrote me in their own letter. They say if my car was non PZEV it would have been covered? How was it my fault to have a PZEV vehicle? Why did Mercedes had PZEV and non PZEV? How is it the customer fault. Both vehicles have the same issue but why one is covered and the other is not? Please you be the judge.
Questions about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system
Does the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 87 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350, 50% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 89,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 problems
Seats 20Electrical 19Engine 14Visibility 10Wheels 10Airbags 9Body 6Tires 6Acceleration 5Brakes 5Suspension 5Transmission 5Lights 4Steering 4Locks 1Seat belts 1
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