2003 Mercedes Benz E320 complaints

IT STARTED WITH A ESP WARNING ON THE CLUSTER, WITH INCREASED BRAKE DISTANCE, AFTER RESTART THE WARNING WAS GONE, AFTER MANY MONTHS THE WARNING CAME BACK ON IN NOV OF 2013, WENT BACK OFF AND CAME BACK ON JAN 14 2014, CALLED THE MERCEDES DEALER IN NASHVILLE TN, WAS ADVISED THAT THE AUTO DID HAVE A RECALL ON THE SBC UNIT, WHICH IS THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT THE RECALL ENDED ON 11-12, WHICH I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A SAFETY RECALL CAN EXPIRE WITH MILEAGE OR DATE. THE REPAIR WILL COST ABOUT $2000.00 WITH NO MANUFACTURE SUPPORT OR HELP. MERCEDES HAS KNOW ABOUT THE BOSCH SYSTEM HAVE ONLY SO MANY BRAKE CYCLES, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2009 AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON THE RECALL. THIS IS NOT THE WAY A RECALL IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.. MERCEDES SAID SORRY, THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH, THIS IS THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. *TR

RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH FLASHING WARNING DRIVER " REDUCED BRAKING EFFECT VISIT WORKSHOP" AND " INCREASE BRAKING DISTANCE VISIT WORKSHOP:. AFTER RESEARCH THIS WARNING IS DISPLAYED BECAUSE THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND REVERTED TO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM HAS TAKEN EFFECT AS BACKUP. THIS CONDITION WAS SUBJECT TO NHSTB RECALL #'S 2004050014 AND 2005110001. I CONTACTED MERCEDES USA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS REFUSED HELP. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AND RECEIVED A CALL FROM A CASE MANAGER WHO STATED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY MERCEDES AND THAT THEY HAD NO FURTHER OBLIGATION TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE STUDIED MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETINS AND BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION THE VEHICLES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS HAVE NOTES WITHIN THE SERVICE BULLETIN THAT "PLEASE NOTE THAT RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS DO NOT EXPIRE AND MAY BE PERFORMED ON A VEHICLE WITH A VEHICLE STATUS INDICATOR" IT IS FURTHER STATED IN MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN THAT THE "SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL UNIT PUMP MOTOR MAY RUN OUT OF PERMISSIBLE TOLERANCES THEREBY TRIGGERING THE HYDRAULIC BACK UP FUNCTION MODE. FURTHER, "GREATER BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE IS REQUIRED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WILL BE NOTICEABLY LONGER WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH". TO THIS DAY MERCEDES ENGINEERS ARE ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WITH SOFTWARE FIXES WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF ANOTHER MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN. THE REFUSAL OF MERCEDES TO REPAIR AN OBVIOUS HAZARDOUS CONDITIO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,638.

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR - THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING, SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED. I TRIED TO RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT TO NOT AVAIL. IT MAY RESTART AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF (AFTER 20-30 MINUTES) BUT THE PROBLEM REPEATS ITSELF WHEN THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING AND WARM AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MALFUNCTION MESSAGE: BATTERY PROTECTION - CONVENTIONAL FUNCTIONS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE DISPLAYS. ONCE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY POSSIBLY BE EVEN BEFORE TESTING FOR THE CHECK ENGINE CODE. HE SAID HE'S SEEN THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PROBLEM CODE DID COME UP WITH A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AS HE PREDICTED. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON SEVERAL MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS? FORUM WEB SITES AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS ENTRIES FROM OWNERS WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AFFECTING SEVERAL MERCEDES MODEL YEARS. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND ASKED WHY A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR THE REPAIR COST OR AT LEAST A NOTIFICATION OF THIS PROBLEM. I DID NOT RECEIVE A FAVORABLE OUTCOME BUT WAS TOLD BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT SHE WOULD ESCALATE THE ISSUE INTERNALLY SO THAT THEY WOULD BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND IT CONTINUES TO AFFECT MANY OWNERS. HAVING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING EWA BOUND ON BERETANIA STREET AT ABOUT 7:45PM AT SPEED 25MPH. THE CAR HAD A RED WARNING AND BEEPS SAID BRAKE MALFUNCTION, STOP VEHICLE! AT THIS TIME MY CAR CAN NOT BRAKE AT ALL BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS COMPLETELY NOT WORKING WHEN MY CAR IS DRIVING. I HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND USE THE ASSISTANCE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON HIGHWAY WITH FAST SPEED! I FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON HAPPEN TO THIS MODEL DUE TO THE FAULT OF SBC ABS BRAKE PUMP. PARTS IS BREAKING DOWN BUT NOT ON BRAKE PUMP HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING. IT IS TOTALLY DANGEROUS! MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ENFORCING MERCEDES TO IMPROVE. THANKS *TR

THE INTERIOR CABIN OF MY 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 HAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. ESPECIALLY AFTER REFUELING...GASOLINE IS POOLING UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT... I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET THE GASOLINE SMELL OUT OF THE CABIN. I HAVE TAKEN THIS PROBLEM TO MY MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND SENDING UNIT WAS FAULTY ...I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $3000.00 TO GET UNIT REPLACED. *TR

EACH TIME AFTER A REFUEL I GET A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN, AND WHEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE I SEE THE GAS LEAKING UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE.I AM FORCED TO LET THE GARAGE DOORS OPENED FOR A WHILE TO EVACUATE THE GAS FUMES. *TR

I STARTED NOTICING THAT EVERY TIME I FILL MY GAS TANK, THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I PURCHASED A NEW GAS COVER BUT DIDN'T HELP. SINCE A YEAR AGO IT HAS GOTTEN WORST EVERY TIME. THE GUY AT MERCEDES SAID ITS NOT IMPORTANT BUT THEY WOULD CHARGE ,E 165 DOLLARS TO TAKE A LOOK. I DIDN'T PAY BUT I AM WORRIED IT MIGHT CREATE A FIRE AND WITH 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND CARPOOLING TO SCHOOL ITS A BIG HEADACHE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ARE AWARE ABOUT OR CAN HELP ME WITH. THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V296000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), HOWEVER THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK WAS REFUELED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SBC BRAKE FAILURE. BRAKES NOT WORKING. CAR REFUSED TO STOP. I PUT IT ON PARK AND JUMPED OUT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. MY CAR DISPLAYED A CODE STATING "BRAKE DEFECTIVE; STOP VEHICLE". THIS OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I AM A PREGNANT FEMALE AND WAS IN THE CAR ALONE, IT WAS TERRIFYING. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED OF AN EXTENDED 10 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE SBC UNIT OF MY CAR. SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED, I WAS NOT THE "REGISTERED USER" EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE LOAN AND TITLE IN MY NAME. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN SEPT OF 2013. AFTER MY CAR WAS DIAGNOSED, IT WAS FOUND THAT IT WAS THE DEFECTIVE SBC UNIT THAT FAILED ME. I HAD PREVIOUS SIMILAR CODES (NONE THAT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO FAIL) RELATED TO THIS SBC UNIT DEFECT IN APRIL 2011 & AUGUST 2013 TO WHICH I PURCHASED NEW BRAKES. IT IS NOT KNOW WHETHER THIS WAS NECESSARY OR NOT SINCE MY CODE OF "SERVICE BRAKE" AT THOSE TIMES ARE A PART OF THE FAULTY SBC UNIT AND NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO THE SAFETY OF MY BRAKES. AFTER MY CASE WAS REVIEWED AND DENIED AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL, MY HUSBAND AND I HAD TO SHELL OUT $1135 TO FIX THE PART OURSELVES. MY HUSBAND WAS PREVIOUSLY LAID OFF AND JUST STARTED A NEW JOB IN JUNE. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR THAT WE HAD TO PAY THIS MONEY WHEN WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND WERE NOT PRIVY TO THE INFORMATION TO FIX THE BRAKE SYSTEM WITHIN THE WARRANTY TIME. I WORRY ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS CAR, ARE UNAWARE OF THE WARRANTY, AND ARE OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT HAVE DAMAGE OR INJURY. I FEEL MERCEDES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WAS SMELLED WITHIN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN SHE SMELLED A NOXIOUS GASOLINE ODOR. TOOK CAR FOR REPAIRS ON AUG 23, 2013. HAD TO REPLACE THE AUXILIARY (SENDING) PUMP AND THE CABLE HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. MERCEDES HAS HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP BUT THEY REFUSE TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR COST $664.18 TO FIX ITEMS THAT ARE INHERENTLY DEFECTIVE IN THE MERCEDES VEHICLES. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,800.

THERE WAS GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, AROUND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT, UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND ACTUAL LIQUID FUEL WAS GOING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE STRONG AND INTENSE FUMES AND VAPORS ARE INSIDE THE CABIN AND APPARENT AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK ONLY HALF TO THREE-QUARTERS FULL. BOTH OF THESE POSE AN EXTREME DANGER OF FIRE HAZARD, AS WELL AS A HEALTH RISK FROM CONSTANTLY INHALING GASOLINE FUMES. THIS ALLOWED FUMES TO LEAK INTO MY GARAGE AND PRESENTED A HUGE FIRE RISK HAD I NOT DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, BUT IN OCTOBER 2012 I PAID OVER $1,600 FOR A NEW FUEL TANK, IN APRIL 2013 I PAID OVER $1,200 FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP AND IN AUGUST 2013 I PAID OVER $700 FOR ANOTHER NEW FUEL PUMP. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN TAKING ANY ACTION WHATSOEVER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO RECTIFY AND REMEDY THIS SITUATION. CONSUMERS DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS. UPDATE09/17/13*LJ UPDATED 09/24/2013 *JS *TR

LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND THE CAR VEERED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET. THE CAR SHOULD'VE BEEN TOWED, BUT I WAS SO CLOSE TO MITCH CARRS'S THAT I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY TO THEM. *TR

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER FILLING. THE SMELL LASTS AT LEAST 2-3 DAYS BEFORE DISSIPATING AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE FILL IT. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

ON JUNE 6, 2013, WHILE BRAKING ON APPROACHING INTERSECTION, BRAKES FAILED AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED. MERCEDES CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER, M-B GREENWAY, HOUSTON, TX, WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISOR EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESSURE RESERVOIR OF THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE UNIT HAD FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,350. I COMPLAINED THAT THE SBC UNIT WAS THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 05V0133 AND TWO MBUSA RECALL CAMPAIGNS (2005070007 AND 2005110001) RESULTING IN THE EXTENSION OF THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE SBC UNIT, BECAUSE THE ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CODE REQUIRED BY MB USA, LLC FOR A DEALER TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM UNDER THE NHTSA 05V033 CAMPAIGN DID NOT APPEAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. I PAID THE DISPUTED $1,350 CHARGE AND DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 6 MILES ON JUNE 6, 2013, AND THE BRAKES AGAIN FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED. MERCEDES CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE TOWED IT BACK TO M-B GREENWEAY, WHERE THE SERVICE STATED THE ENTIRE SBC UNIT HAD FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,030. I COMPLAINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS MANDATED AT NO COST BY NHTSA 05V0133, BUT SHE SAID MB USA LLC WOULD ALLOW THE DEALER TO HONOR THE SBC WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS "DRIVEN OUT OF THE SHOP." SHE ALSO REFUSED TO CREDIT THE $1,350 CHARGE I PAID FOR THE SBC PRESSURE RESERVOIR REPLACEMENT, BUT OFFERED TO "DISCOUNT" THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE SBC UNIT TO "$1,799." *TR

AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AND LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE. UPON CALLING A MECHANIC THEY SAID TO LOOK UNDER THE SEAT FOR LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFINITIVELY LEAKING. *TR

VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOWED BRAKE REDUCE "REQUIRE LONGER BRAKING DISTANCE". I HAD THE SAME ISSUE BEFORE BUT I DID NOT PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION OF IT BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD JUST BE A BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT INDICATOR. UNTIL I SENT THE CAR IN AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS AN ISSUE RELATED TO THE SBC UNIT. LATER, I FOUND IT ONLINE THAT IT WAS A COMMON KNOWN ISSUE FOR 2003-2005 MODEL. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON FREEWAY IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURE AND ALL THEY SAID WAS THE UNIT WOULD ONLY BE COVERED WITHIN A 10 YEAR PERIOD AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY OTHER SOLUTION PROVIDED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY HESITATE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NECK AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

FIRST INCIDENT, BRAKES, VISIT WORKSHOP MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SBC PUMP FAILURE. MERCEDES HAD EXTENDED THIS WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF KNOW DEFECTS TO THE PART SO ALL PARTS AND LABOR WERE COVERED. *TR

FIRST INCIDENT, BRAKES! VISIT WORKSHOP! MESSAGE WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INFORMATION SYSTEM. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SBC PUMP FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED PART UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART BECAUSE IT HAS A KNOWN DEFECT. SECOND INCIDENT, ON APRIL 25, 2013, ONE DAY AFTER I TOOK MY CAR FROM THE DEALER, STOP!, REDUCED BRAKE POWER, ESP MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARED. I STOPPED THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER REPLACED THE PART AGAIN STATING THAT THEY ONLY HAVE RE-MANUFACTURED ONES AND THE ONE I HAD GOT WAS A BAD RE-MANUFACTURED PART. DEALER REPLACED PART AGAIN. THIRD INCIDENT, ON MAY 1 2013, 5 DAYS AFTER I PICKED UP MY CAR STOP!, REDUCED BRAKE POWER AND ESP MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN WHEN I WAS PULLING INTO A GARAGE AT A HOTEL. I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS TAKING A TICKET TO GET INTO THE GARAGE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS GOING FASTER THAN I WAS. THE BRAKE WILL NOT WORK AT ALL ONCE THESE MESSAGES APPEAR. *TR

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK AND PARKING CAR IN GARAGE, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK, HE WOULD SMELLED FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT ON 3/19/13 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. ON 3/22/13 TANK WAS FILLED AND STRONG GAS SMELL WAS NOTICED WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE. HAD MECHANIC REPLACE BOTH SENDING UNITS ON TOP OF TANK ON 4/5/13. THE PROBLEM WITH SMELL STILL EXISTS EVERYTIME TANK IS FILLED, AND SEEMS TO BE CONCENTRATED BY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED, AND ARE CONVINCED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

RECENTLY, MY 2003 E320 MERCEDES BENZ CONTINUE TO PRODUCE A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILL UP. I CHECKED THE CAR SURROUNDING FOR ANY AVAILABLE LEAK BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY. I HAD THE CAR FOR MORE THAN SEVEN (7) YEARS WITH THE SMELL COULD SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHY? ALL INDICATORS ON THE PANEL SAYS NORMAL PLEASE HELP!!! BEFORE THE EXPLOSION!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED FULL OF FUEL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PRESENT INSIDE OF THE CAR. I HAVE LOOKED UNDER THE BACK SEAT AND SEEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL ESCAPES FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. SINCE I NOTICED THIS I HAVE NOT FILLED MY CAR UP ALL THE WAY AS LONG AS I DON'T FILL IT MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS FULL THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR. *TR

CAR IS USED ONLY FOR WORK AND MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING FOR APPOINTMENTS. AT 70,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE E320. AN INVESTIGATION REVELED THAT A VALVE HAD FAILED IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE TO MIX IN WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH IN TURN BURNT OUT PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO THERE IS HESITATION WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR SOMETIMES SPUTTERS TO SHUT OFF WHEN STOPPING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REFUELING, THERE WAS STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

THE CAR DEVELOPS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK. OTHER OWNERS OF MERCEDES E CLASS VEHICLES HAVE INVESTIGATED WHERE THE SMELL IS COMING FROM AND FOUND THAT GASOLINE IS POOLING UP UNDER THE REAR SEAT ON THE FUEL SENDER UNIT. WHEN I WENT TO MY DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IN FACT WAS THE FUEL SENDER UNIT THAT WAS CAUSING THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE MY GARAGE, AND SOMETIMES CAR. THE FACT THAT THERE ARE LIVE WIRES NEAR THE POOLING GAS AND THE FACT THAT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS SO STRONG LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MERCEDES NEEDS TO ADDRESS RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE KIDS THAT ARE IN THE CAR 3 TIMES A DAY AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THEM IN THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E 320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE TWO VALVES AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. *TR

FUEL LEAK STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE. *TR

THERE IS A STRONG DISTINCT GASOLINE ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE AND STRONGEST AFTER REFUELING. *TR

WHEN I FILL THE GAS TANK OF MY 2003 MBZ E320 THERE IS ALWAYS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. EMITTING FROM MY VEHICLE. *TR

WHENEVER I FILL MY GAS TANK, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE GARAGE THAT PERSIST UNTIL I'VE DRIVEN APPROX. 100 MILES OR MORE. I'VE SINCE STARTED PARKING OUTSIDE FOR FEAR THAT THE GAS WATER HEATER FOR MY HOUSE (WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE GARAGE), MAY EXPLODE BECAUSE THE SMELL IS SO STRONG. I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS FOR THE E320. IS THERE SOME KIND OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? IF NOT, DOES MERCEDES BENZ HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH SEEMS TO BE A PLASTIC PART ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER I FILLED UP AT THE LOCAL GAS STATION. I NOTICED THE SMELL WAS VERY STRONG IN MY GARAGE AND WAS ABLE TO TRACE IT TO MY MERCEDES 2003 E320. IT ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND IS MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS AT MY LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER. *TR

I BEGIN TO SMELL FUMES AFTER A FILL UP AND REPLACED THE FILLER CAP. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WERE I PURCHASED THE CAR THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER WANTS $3,000.00 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING UNDER NORMAL WARE. *TR

2003 E320 MERCEDES BENZ - FUEL TANK LEAKING - DEALERS WANTS TO CHARGE OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC UNIT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E320. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FUNCTIONED WITHOUT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

PROBLEM #1). THE INTERIOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE A CHROME TAPE OF SOME TYPE THAT COVERS THE HANDLES. THIS TAPE OVERTIME COMES OFF ON THE INSIDE AND IT IS EXTREMELY SHARP LIKE A RAZOR. I CUT MY FINGER TWICE ON THE DRIVER-SIDE AND A PASSENGER GOT CUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A YEAR LATER. I CONTACTED MERCEDES ABOUT THIS AND THEY WOULDN'T DO OR OFFER ANYTHING. PROBLEM #2). THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS OVERTIME GET VERY VERY STIFF AND WILL NOT GO BACK ALL THE WAY UP. MY WIFE CAN NOT EVEN MOVE THEM AT ALL. I ALSO VERBALLY REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS TO PENSKE MERCEDES IN WEST COVINA, CA TO MY SERVICE WRITER AND HE STATED "YES WE ARE AWARE AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THOSE ITEMS". HE WANTED TO CHARGE ME $275 FOR EACH SUN VISOR TO BE REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE LABOR TO INSTALL THEM. PROBLEM #3). LOWER BALL JOINTS GO OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY AND IS ALSO A "KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM". *TR