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Mercedes Benz E500 fuel gauge problems

16 of the 460 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz E500 describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
16
worst model year
2004
typical mileage
105,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2006
    1
  • 2005
    4
  • 2004
    7
  • 2003
    4

What owners say

Filed Apr 28, 2022 · Fuel system · HI

The 2005 E500 W211 gas tank cracks leaking fuel sending unit and fuel pump. The odor of gas permeates the cabin, recall campaign number 2008-020001, and it’s extension information of 15 years dated Jan. 2015 signed by Ralph S. Fisher GM customer assistance center. The dealer in Hawai’i refuse to honor the recall warranty. It’s traveling a bomb.

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Fuel system · 151,000 miles · TX

2005 mercedes e500 wagon has a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle when the fuel tank is completely filled. This odor persists for a few days until the fuel level has gone down. This has persisted for about a year. Due to this safety issue, mb has extended the warranty on this part to repair it. Vehicle was taken to mb of plano for repair. Once the technician confirmed the fuel tank needed to be replaced, the technician followed the procedure which requires them to remove the muffler system to remove the fuel tank. The technician stated that a muffler bracket was rusted and would need to be replaced to complete the repair. The dealership notified me that this bracket is only available as a part of the complete muffler and would cost ~$600 to replace and would not be covered by the warranty. The muffler was operating properly and does not need to be replaced for any other reason. The dealership appealed the warranty and that was denied. I appealed to the mercedes executive referral team and they also denied the claim due to the age and mileage of the vehicle. If I am not willing to spend $600 to replace a perfectly good muffler, then I will have to drive a vehicle with two small children that has a live gasoline leak inside the cabin because mercedes benz will not replace the muffler bracket. I have been in contact with ralph at mercedes benz executive referral as well as the mercedes benz of plano service department.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Fuel system · 147,102 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 26, 2014 · Fuel system · 73,836 miles · VA

2004 mercedes benz e500 smells of gasoline both inside and around the vehicle after refueling to the full tank level. It has become necessary to leave the garage door open after fueling in order to ventilate the garage and keep fumes out of the house. The odor gradually decreases when the vehicle is driven 40-50 miles and the fuel level in the tank drops.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Fuel system · 164,000 miles · OH

Started smelling gas from the drivers side of the car. Faint at first but when the car was refilled to full tank it was very strong. While in the vehicle we were breathing gas fumes. The gas gauge read half tank and we broke down because we were actually on e. The fuel sensor or float was bad too and now the gauge has gone bad. The whole system is being affected.

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Fuel system · 161,000 miles · TX

On 7/23/14, I noticed a strong odor of gasoline emanating from the inside and outside of my car after refueling. I purchased a certified pre-owned w211 2006 mercedes benz e500 from mercedes-benz greenway. I researched the issue online and discovered that the gas odor issue I was 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 sending unit, I found a significant quantity of raw gasoline pooled. This presented a very unsafe situation and I was 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 took photos of the raw gasoline sitting on the fuel sending unit. Mercedes-benz of sugarland demanded $1,022.57 to rectify the problem by removing and replacing both fuel sending units/pumps in my vehicle. Mercedes-benz of sugarland did not return my old parts after I requested them. 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 numbers for this issue are pe-12001 and ea-13003. Read more: http://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/437486-urgent-the federal safety agency-opens-investigation-into-fuel-leaks-w211-e-class-7.html.

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Fuel system · 94,500 miles · CA

About a year ago I started noticing a strong gas smell after filling my tank. I recently decided to research it and found that this is a widespread and commonly known problem with the e series w211 mercedes cars and a serious design flaw with the fuel sending unit/gas tank. My daughter drives this car now, and I have serious concerns for her inhaling carcinogenic fumes while using it. I would like to know what resolution can be achieved with mb USA concerning this matter. I see that at class action lawsuit was submitted but don't see the outcome. That was in 2012.

Filed Feb 15, 2014 · Fuel system · 82,171 miles · NC

Reference the federal safety agency action number: pe12001 after filling vehicle gas tank, vehicle has a very strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. Fuel is leaking around sending unit at gas tank, and after speaking with other vehicle owners, this is a common problem. Due to the leak, vehicle cannot be kept in the garage until fuel level reaches 3/4 tank. Also, the smell is so bad inside the vehicle after fill up, it is dangerous to drive.

Filed Aug 15, 2013 · Fuel system · 113,000 miles · AZ

After filling my car with fuel, I have notice a strong odor of gas fumes in my garage and inside my car. But I don't see any leaks on the floor. After the gas tank drops to 3/4 of a tank, the smell of fumes goes away. This has been going on for several months. Also, the gas gauge isn't accurate. I found out, this is a typical problem with the e class 2003-2008. I believe this is a safety issue and that mercedes should repair it asap. Thanks.

Filed Mar 21, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 105,000 miles · TN

After refueling, car had strong odor of fuel leaking. Fills garage with fumes. Worried that pilot light will ignite fumes. Also, fuel gauge sticks on 1/2 tank even when tank is empty.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Mercedes Benz E500 fuel gauge

Which Mercedes Benz E500 years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (7 complaints), 2003 (4 complaints) and 2005 (4 complaints).

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