2008 Mercedes-Benz E350: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · SC

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.

Filed Oct 10, 2023 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350W. The contact that she noticed a fuel odor throughout the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel tank components and fuel compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel gauge failed to read properly and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V303000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · GA

Fuel sending unit leaks when gas tank is filled...gasoline leaks onto top of sending unit allowing a strong smell of gasoline around car and in garage...after burning to about 3/4's of a tank smell dissipates..if lifting backseat and removing 6 screws and coverplate fuel can be seen pooled on top of sending unit..extended warranty (15 years ) on other mercedes vehicles with same year groups experiencing the same symptoms/problems but not our particular model...don't understand why...this is a defective design...been driving 40+ years do a lot of work on own vehicles and have only seen this problem 1 other time on our 2006 chrysler pacifica ( both tanks) same type of setup...this was when they were doing joint development with daimler...same faulty design....dangerous!!!!!

Filed Jan 26, 2017 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · AZ

When you fill up the gas tank, there is a very strong fuel odor in and outside of the vehicle to the point where the vehicle cannot be parked inside a garage and when driven the windows need to be rolled down. On 9/4/14, mb issued a warranty extension for this very problem, however, mb is now saying that my vehicle is a pzev model car which is exempt from the 9/4/14 warranty extension. This makes absolutely no sense as it is the same issue that many mb owners have complained about and there is no difference between a pzev model to a non pzev model (only in the sense of the catalytic converter which is not in issue). The cost is over $3,000 to fix what is really a defective and unsafe product. The part which is leaking fuel is a "left side fuel level sender assembly". This is an integral part of the gas tank. Based upon the 9/4/14 extended warranty letter from mb, the federal safety agency was satisfied that the extended warranty would fix this problem. But what mb was able to do was to limit the applicability of the 9/4/14 extended warranty to only non-pzsev vehicles which I am sure eliminated tens of thousands of vehicles from the extended warranty. Moreover, there is no indication that the vehicle is a psev vehicle (other than what mb has internally). The 9/4/14 extended warranty should apply to all e350 vehicles model year 2003-2009. There is absolutely no reason to exclude a vehicle because it is allegedly a pzev vehicle. It is the same fuel leak/odor issue. Dealership will not fix under warranty and the corporate office has denied warranty coverage. Please reopen your investigation and get to the bottom of this clearly defective and dangerous situation. Clearly mb recognized this as a problem and that is why they issued the 9/4/14 warranty extension but then slipped in the exclusion for pzev vehicles. There is no reason to treat a pzev vehicle any differently.

Filed Dec 27, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · CO

The fuel gauge has become inconsistent during the past few months. The fuel levels run up and down and never go below the half way mark. Was driving on the freeway yesterday and the car completely ran out of gas. No warning or indication of low gas levels. Had actually show 231 miles remaining. I was able to pull over and get assistance. However, could have been very dangerous had it not been the day after christmas and no one on the road.

Filed Nov 8, 2014 · Fuel system · TX

Fuel smell. Took vehicle to dealership and they stated that I need the fuel tank replaced and the fuel level sensor on the left side was leaking. Repair cost estimated $3000.00.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 78,000 miles · CA

The gas gauge randomly shows incorrect fuel level remaining. This makes it difficult to know how much gas and distance/miles remain before a refill is needed. After a full refill the gauge seems to accurately show a full tank. Randomly, when starting the car, the gauge sometimes shows incorrect fuel levels at empty or much less than actual. This sometimes corrected via restarting car. Sometimes restarting does not correct the gauge.

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Fuel system · 43,000 miles · OH

After filling up gas tank, strong odor of gasoline detected in the real wheel well on the passenger side. After driving for 50 or so miles, odor is gone. Took car to mercedes dealership and was told the fuel sending unit needed replaced and the repairs would be covered under cpo warranty.

Filed Apr 5, 2014 · Fuel system · 91,545 miles · CA

Gas tank fuel sending unit failure causing inaccurate readings. One incident my wife was driving on the freeway in the fast lane and gas gauge indicated 1/2 tank of fuel remaining and car stalled because of no fuel causing a very unsafe situation due to no area to pull over safely. Please reference the federal safety agency action number: pe12001.

Filed Oct 4, 2013 · Fuel system · 97,350 miles · CA

The fuel sending unit is leaking gas when I fill the car up.