Approximately in March 2026, I started noticing a very strong gasoline odor coming from my 2004 Mercedes-Benz E 500 4-matic with original miles approximately 56,300. The fuel odor always got stronger whenever I would fill up the gas tank. The history on my car is such that it has always been garage kept. The gasoline odor coming from my car started getting stronger and stronger while in my garage. On Memorial Day 2026 I called HQ, Mercedes Benz and told them about the gas odor coming from my car. After the call ended I decided that the car needed to be towed to the nearest Mercedes Benz service center. I considered that the gas order to be very dangerous so I parked my car in the driveway. Once parked in my driveway, there was no longer a gasoline order in my garage. Now even while parked in my driveway, I could smell gasoline around the rear of my car when I opened the doors the gasoline smell was very strong. All of this happens suddenly and only grew worse within the last four days. The gasoline smell was probably there for a long time but I didn’t notice it since I do not drive the car very often. That should be obvious because there is only approximately 56,300 miles on the car and those are original miles. I called Mercedes-Benz headquarters and requested a tow to the nearest Mercedes-Benz repair shop which is in Tampa Florida. As my car was being placed on the flatbed tow truck gasoline started spilling out onto the bed of the tow truck. That is a very dangerous situation. My car could’ve caught fire if it hit something hard or if I had been in an accident. I read where there is a 15 year extended warranty from year the analysis was actually completed in 2012 by the ODI the federal safety agency. I believe my car falls under the purview of the extended warranty. I’m reporting this problem because it is very dangerous and there could be other vehicles out there.
2004 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system problems
84 complaints (59% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.
- owner complaints
- 84
- of this car's complaints
- 59%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly2
- Delivery: fuel pump2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes Benz E500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a suspected safety-related defect involving the fuel system of my Mercedes-Benz vehicle. I have experienced a persistent gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. The presence of fuel odor is not a normal operating condition and reasonably indicates a potential failure involving the fuel tank, fuel lines, or related fuel system components. Fuel vapors present a known fire and explosion hazard and constitute a safety risk to vehicle occupants, surrounding vehicles, and property. This condition was not present prior to the issue and has persisted despite inspection. I reported this concern to Mercedes-Benz USA and referenced that fuel odor and fuel tank-related defects have been documented in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles. During my communication with Mercedes-Benz USA, I was informed that an extended or long-term warranty related to the fuel tank or fuel system had existed but was no longer applicable because the coverage period had expired. I was not made aware of this extended warranty at the time it was active and therefore had no opportunity to seek inspection or repair while coverage was in effect. Mercedes-Benz USA has acknowledged my complaint but has declined to provide corrective action beyond internal review. Given the safety implications of fuel system defects and the potential impact of inadequate disclosure of extended safety-related warranty coverage, I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this complaint and evaluate whether this condition represents a broader defect trend and whether recall or further investigation is warranted. This complaint is submitted to ensure the issue is formally recorded as a potential fuel system safety defect.
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that upon making a stop, he noticed fuel leaking onto the driver's side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall for the fuel tank. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
the car has smelled like gas from the minute i received it. the previous owner told me that mercedes had quoted 5 grand to fix it so i would only put half a tank in at a time. turns out there was a warranty on it but has since expired. why wasn't it fixed for free when the previous owner brought it? this is very dangerous and can cause an explosion. the warranty should have been fixed rather than quoted and seems very greedy to not disclose that information but instead giving a quote. i have lung and heart problems and this is a definite safety issue that needs to be corrected regardless of the age of the car also brought it to dealership scared and they told me too bad it's been too long. how is a gas leak an ok thing to dismiss?????? i have been trying to get this fixed for years and this is my 2nd attempt for a recall with no response at all
Vehicle has a recall on replacement of fuel tank. Mercedes benz dealer did not want to honor the recall. When I fill car up with gas it leaks out of the tank and on the ground. Mercedes-benz dealer said I missed the time for the recall. I went to the dealership before the recall ended in 2019 spoke with the service advisor at the mckinney mercedes-benz dealership and I informed him the car was not drivable due to the braking system failure call the spc hydraulic pump. Turns out that is also a recall that is widely known.at that time the car was not drivable and then the pandemic hit so there was no need to take it up there at the time due to covid. Mercedes benz should honor this since this is a safety issue that could lead to a deadly situation if not addressed. They have been deceptive by marking this is an extended warranty issue and not a safety recall issue. They pretty much told me since I don't have my car worked on at the dealership, they don't want to help me in this situation. They mentioned had the car been serviced at the dealership and not at the independent shoo that I used I may have had a better chance at them covering the charges for this tank replacement.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes-benz e500. While the vehicle was being refueled, the contact became aware of a fuel leak. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor detected outside of the vehicle. The contact stated that the the instrument cluster was red and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of goldens bridge 321 ny-22, goldens bridge, ny 10526, (914) 232-8122 to be diagnosed. A fuel leak was confirmed however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Engine stopped while running the car. Had to have a local repair shop replace both sending units and seals/gaskets. I believe this is a recall already but I paid for it?
Strong fuel smell in cabin
This complaint relates to a prior government investigation and related extension of warranty. The government investigation determined leaks could occur from the gas tank pressure sensor, the outlet of the gas tank filling limiter valve and at the top of the fuel pump. Determined leaks could occur from the gas tank pressure sensor, the outlet of the gas tank filling limiter valve and at the top of the fuel pump. As a result, benz extended its warranty to 15 years on gas tank components in 2003-2009 e-class vehicles and 2006-2011 cls-class vehicles. Consistent with the problem, my fuel pump failed last week; the car would not start. I had the car towed to oakland mercedes for service under the warranty. Benz was notified and inspected the car last wednesday. The dealer took possession on friday. I have called the service dept many times to learn status of the car. Benz tells me the car still has not even been assigned a service advisor. They refuse to give me any information re the status of my car and when it will be repaired. This amounts to a refusal to fulfill their promises given upon the discovery of their faulty fuel tanks.
Strong smell of gasoline
Questions about the 2004 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system
Does the 2004 Mercedes Benz E500 have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 84 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Mercedes Benz E500, 59% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 Mercedes Benz E500 fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 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 2004 Mercedes Benz E500 problems
Brakes 26Suspension 23Engine 10Electrical 7Transmission 7Airbags 1Seat belts 1Steering 1Tires 1Wheels 1
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