Mercedes Benz E500 fuel problems
147 complaint narratives mention fuel terms.
Key facts
460 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
91,691 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 397 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Fuel system concerns evidence
147 of 460 complaints match this topic (32.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10433623 · 2011-10-31 (October 31, 2011)
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND UNTIL I DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY A GERMAN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT IT IS A CRACKED GAS TANK AND THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES E-CLASS MODELS FROM 2003-2005. THE SMELL APPEARS TO BE EMANATING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN EUROPE AND ASIA BUT THAT MERCEDES NEVER ISSUED A RECALL IN THE US FOR THIS ISSUE DESPITE BEING EXTREMELY PERVASIVE. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNE…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459332 · 2012-05-23 (May 23, 2012)
AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK GAS STARTED TO DRIP FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FLOOR. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10459332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10460985 · 2012-06-08 (June 8, 2012)
REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. THE SEAL ON MY FUEL SENDING UNIT BEGAN LEAKING. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS IS A NON-STRESSED ITEM. THE SEAL THAT ISOLATES FUEL IN THE TANK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT HAS FAILED. GASOLINE LEAKS AROUND THE SENDING UNIT SEAL AROUND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS CONNECTED TO THE SENDING UNIT. THIS LEAK ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SEAL WITH NO INPUT OR OUTSIDE ACTION. AFTER FUELING, A FUEL SMELL AND F…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461100 · 2012-06-09 (June 9, 2012)
REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING FUEL RESULTING IN FUEL POOL ON TOP OF FUEL TANK AND UNDER REAR SEAT DRIVERS SIDE. STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WITH BUILT UP OF FUEL VAPORS CAUSING EYE NOSE AND THROAT IRRITATION-ESPECIALLY STRONG SMELL AND VAPOR BUILT UP WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL. FULL SPLASHING ON TOP OF TANK AND NEARBY AREA DRIPPING TO FLOOR-FIRE AND EXPLOSIVE HAZARD, CONDITION HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10475221 · 2012-09-12 (September 12, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT ADVISED TO CHECK THE FILLER CAP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER CAP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO NOTICE THE STRONG FUEL SMELL IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATI…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475221 at NHTSA ↗