2004 Mercedes Benz E500: fuel pump failure

Filed Jan 10, 2017 · Fuel system · CA

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.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 54,000 miles · FL

I starting smelling a gassy smell seeping into my house at night and after a few days concluded in had to be coming from the attached garage and subsequently after eliminating all other variables I narrowed it down to the car. I parked it outside for a couple of nights and the smell ceased in the house and garage. I then took the vehicle to pompano mercedes to have them check it out and was informed my seals were bad/leaking at the fuel line connections, so without a choice I had them repaired at a cost of $968.21 on 9/13/2010. This resolved the problem for about 2 months, then the gassy smell returned. I took the car back to pompano mercedes again and explained that I had the car had the same symptoms of a gassy smell. They checked out the vehicle and informed me at this time I had a different fuel leak and that would require them to replace the entire gas tank and internal fuel pumps and seals at a cost of $3000 this time. Quite unhappy with this diagnosis considering I was just there 2 months prior and thought they had repaired the problem only to find out now it was more encompassing than their first attempt at a fix and it was going to cost a boatload of money to re-repair the problem as I was just over the 50k warranty to boot. With the news of the extended warranty settlement at this time I strongly feel my vehicle issues are as described in the class action suit and I should be entitled to reimbursement for the $968.21 I spent at mercedes discretion.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Fuel system · SC · fire · 1 injury

While driving home I smelt smoke. I stopped the car to investigate the smell of smoke that was overpowering the now normal scent of gas which filled my vehicle cabin due to a fuel pump leak. When I exited my vehicle I opened up the drivers side rear passenger door to find smoke emitting from that area. I quickly left the immediate vicinity of the smoldering car and when I turned to look back, I saw flames under my car. I proceeded towards the overpass while moving away from the vehicle attempting to find cellular phone signal, I saw my car now being engulfed in flames. Re: (odi number) is: 10628900.

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Fuel system · 106,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz e500. The contact smelled fuel inside and outside the vehicle while refueling the tank. The odor was present on numerous occasions. The dealer recommended that the fuel gasket and fuel pump be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2014 · Fuel system · 29,000 miles · MA

There has been a strong gasoline smell following a tank fill that fills the garage with gasoline fumes. This problem has been occurring for at least the last 5 years. I entered 1/1/2009 on the form data as an approximate begin date. The fuel smell can be detected in the vehicle at times, but is extremely strong immediately after fill-up. An internet search has revealed that this is a common problem on all mercedes e class models from 2003-2009. I have asked continually about this problem at the mercedes dealer, now mercedes of natick, formerly foreign motors west in natick, massachusetts. Service personnel have denied that there was/is any pattern or problem and indicated that this problem seemed to affect my car only. Only recently have they indicated that at times they have had to replace the fuel tank and both sending units at an out of pocket cost of $850 -$2000. All this for a problem that current research indicates that mercedes has known about for more than 7 years. A class action lawsuit was filed in texas in 2012 for this exact problem. The dealer has offered no financial assistance in this repair, but did indicate that after I paid for the repair, that they would try to contact mercedes benz for assistance. While nice, this still puts the entire financial burden on me with only a hope that assistance would come later. So far I have declined the repair. While some vehicles were included under a voluntary recall in 2008, my vehicle was not one of them. In fact, I have never been contacted by mercedes benz for this problem. I asked about this issue only 2 weeks ago, late june 2014, and was told that there is no factory repair campaign or recall at this time. This morning I removed the bench portion of the rear seat, folded back the insulating pad and removed the metal access plate for the left side fuel sending/fuel pump unit. Gas was visible.

Filed Sep 29, 2013 · Fuel system · 76,000 miles · MD

Fuel pumps leaking fuel underneath the back seat.

Filed Mar 24, 2013 · Fuel system · 70,284 miles · CA

Vehicle has a strong smell of fuel after filling the tank. The dealer replaced the fuel pump support on 02/05/2013 but the problem was not solved. The dealer replaced the fuel tank on 03/01/2013. This appeared to solve the problem. The total cost of the repairs was $381.41 + $ 807.35 = $1,188.76.

Filed Mar 5, 2013 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · GA

I have noticed strong gasoline odors emanating from my car after refueling. I purchased a new mercedes benz gas cap and installed it. Filled the gas tank and gasoline odor was still very strong. I do not 'top off' when refueling. Researched issue online at benzworld.org and discovered that the gas odor issue I am experiencing may be related to a problem being seen in numerous mercedes benz e-model vehicles. As advised by the other owners having this issue I detached the rear seat cushion from the car and removed the bolts from the circular access panel that covers a portion of the fuel tank on the driver's side of the vehicle. In the depression on top of the gas tank where numerous electrical wires attach to the fuel pump I found a significant quantity of raw gasoline pooled. This presents a very unsafe situation and I am no longer willing to park the vehicle in my garage due to the potential fire hazard. The pooling of raw gasoline also represents an environmental issue due to the evaporation and creation of toxic fumes. I understand that mercedes benz dealers are demanding $2,000. Or more to rectify the problem by removing and replacing the gas tanks in impacted vehicles. I feel that the manufacturer of this defective component should be held responsible to recall it and replace it. I understand that the federal safety agency's current investigation action no. For this issue is pe 12001.

Filed Jan 13, 2013 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · CA

Very strong smell of fuel, exterior rear left side. Found fuel leak, left rear of vehicle, dripping heavy underneath. Took vehicle to a european car shop, mechanic replaced fuel seal of fuel pump under rear seat. Mechanic removed large amount of fuel from the affected area (leak under rear seat).

Filed Dec 12, 2012 · Fuel system · 52,028 miles · NC

A strong gas smell in the passenger cabin as well as outside driver side passenger door and the check engine light prompted me to take the car to a local dealer. After diagnostic test, dealer indicated there was a leaking fuel purge valve and shut off valve. After a $1,600 quote, I requested they not do the work so I could take it for a second opinion. Was called back later that day and informed of a "miscommunication" and that the car was fixed with a $1,600 bill awaiting me. I worked out a payment agreement with the dealer and never took the car back despite intermittent gas smells in and outside the car and check engine light going on and off. The check engine light came back on for good less than 12 months later. Took car to another local shop where I was told one of the fuel pumps needed to be replaced. $600 later, and 4 more trips back to the shop, the check engine light and strong gas fumes still permeate the car. Took it to shop #3 today and was told there is a crack in the fuel tank. The quote is $1,700. I don't trust the dealer, and believe that the fuel pump replace by shop #2 was not the issue. It appears as if it's been the fuel tank all along. This is clearly a defect in the part as the car has never been in an accident and has less than 70k miles on it currently. It's a safety hazard and with two children, I don't have a choice but to fix the problem. Please let me know if there is anything additional necessary to help conclude this investigation. I'm hoping there will be recourse with mbusa to reimburse it's customers for the faulty part replacement and labor costs. Thank you.

Filed Sep 1, 2012 · Fuel system · 200,000 miles · SC

There is a smell of gas fumes inside and outside of the car. When the tank is full, liquid gas can be seen running from the topside of the tank, to the driver's side fuel pump.

Filed Mar 13, 2012 · Fuel system · 105,500 miles · MD

Gas odor both inside and outside of vehicle when tank is filled to maximum capacity. Odor lingers until tank is about half empty. Inspected fuel pump/filter located under rear drivers side seat and discovered gas leakage/puddle. Gas leak is within a couple of centimeters from two electrical cable connections attached to fuel pump/filter - an imminent fire hazard. Prevailing fumes are hazardous to vehicle passengers, especially small children, and may cause dizziness while driving or loss of consciousness.