While the vehicle was on the highway the car lost power. Pulled over for visual inspection, noticed the fuel was leaking rapidly. Immediately shut off the car. Had vehicle towed to local mercedes benz dealership. Dealer verified the tank was leaking.
2003 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system problems
41 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 96,000.
- owner complaints
- 41
- of this car's complaints
- 33%
- typical mileage
- 96,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
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 E500 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 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 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Strong fuel odor coming from vehicle when tank full. Doesn't happen if tank is 3/4 full or less. Any recalls? Will dealership fix problem?
Strong fuel smell from driver side rear seat. The smell spread to the cabin and the whole garage. This happens when the fuel tank is full. The smell will lessen after the tank is about half full.
"takata recall" each year it fails the emmission test the failed code is po456. I had an evap system test ran they said it was a problem with the purge valve, eval hose, and the filler neck. (leaks). In my own words, the engine comes on and off, the computer is indicating that the truck is open when it is not, the seatbelt tighten up and makes a clicking noise while I'm driving, and sometimes I can't get out of the car it locks me inand I have to push the unlock button on the dash, and the alarm comes on whenever! And the tire pressure indicator stays on and we recently had new tires put on. We had it balanced and an alignment done as well. Other than that the car is still driving well. I thought benz was one of the best vehicles but I'm not so sure about that now with these concerns! These things happen when in motion except for the alarm going off. I think there may be a problem with the fuel system and I hope this car don't blowup on me! S royster
My car has a strong and overwhelming smell of gas inside the car when I drive. This has been happening for 2 weeks now whenever I drive with the windows up. I am forced to drive with the windows down in order to breath.
Shortly after filling the fuel tank, I smell gas fumes towards the back of the car behind drive side outside. There is no fuel leaks that drop on the car and also there is not fuel leaks under the hood of the engine neither.
My vehicle started puttering and finally shut off. I had it towed to the nearest mercedes benz shop located on independence drive in charlotte. After the diagnostic, I was told that the fuel pump was bad. I informed the service advisor colton and the service manager todd about the extended warranty on the components of the fuel system. I was denied warranty coverage because they stated that the fuel tank had to be cracked before they would honor the warranty. To my understanding if the item is a part of the fuel system components, it should be covered for the warranty. They refused to satisfy the warranty and I ended up not authorizing the repairs. Now because mercedes will not repair the covered part, I have to take it to another repair shop to have it fixed. I think mercedes should reimburse me for my time and parts and labor for not satisfying their extended warranty.....updated 10/15/15
We purchased our used vehicle in may, 2013 and have found the gas smell problem to grow increasingly worse. Especially initially when the tank is completely filled, it is very strong both outside and inside.
This vehicle has a very strong gasoline smell after I fill the tank. This smell is concentrated on the driver side by the rear wheel. I do not have the money to repair or diagnose the vehicle. Although, mercedes has issued an extended warranty to 15 years unlimited miles for "covered fuel tank components". The mercedes dealerships are not able to tell me what the severity or the specific reason for my fuel leak/smell without paying a large diagnostic fee/ w no guarantee of warrantied service. I would like them to share specific information about this problem with me without charging diagnostic fee.
I have had this problem for a while now. When I fill up my fuel tank there is a drastic smell of gas. I believe this is a safety issue. I had to leave my car out on the street in fear my water heater when igniting would set off a explosion. I am sure mb knows of this situation since I have seen numerous remarks and instances on just this subject. I would hope that mb will address this problem. I took it to the dealer and indeed they said that the fuel sending unit has a crack on top allowing the fuel to leak when filled up to the full mark. Thank you advance in reporting this to mercedes.
Questions about the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system
Does the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 41 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500, 33% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 96,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Mercedes Benz E500 have the most fuel system problems?
The Mercedes Benz E500 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2004 (84 complaints), 2005 (76 complaints) and 2003 (41 complaints).
Other 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 problems
Brakes 38Suspension 19Transmission 10Airbags 7Driver assistance 5Engine 5Visibility 3Acceleration 2Electrical 2Steering 1Tires 1
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