2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints

CATASTROPHIC SBC SYSTEM FAILURE. DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE AT 65 MPH SUDDENLY BRAKES STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT ALL, DASHBOARD TURNED RED WITH THE MESSAGE SBC FAILURE, DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL IN FULL, BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AT ALL. COASTED, TOOK THE NEAREST EXIT AND COULD TOW THE CAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY. NOT A GOOD EXPERIENCE TO DISCOVER YOU HAVE NO BRAKES ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR IS IN A MECHANIC SHOP NOW, REPAIR WILL COST OVER $ 2000. THIS BRAKE SYSTEM IS A FAILURE, MB DISCONTINUED IT AND WENT BACK TO THE TRADITIONAL HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. MB SHOULD HAD MADE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AS THEY ARE AWARE AND IT IS A FAILURE THAT CAN NOT BE PREDICTED, MAINTENANCE OR AGE APPARENTLY HAVE NO INFLUENCE ON THE PART FAILING OTHERWISE MB WOULD INCLUDE THE PART'S REPLACEMENT AS PART OF A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME. *TR

DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM, SBC SYSTEM. SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. *TR

AS PER YOUR WEBSITE YOU CLOSED THIS INVESTIGATION ON THE BASIS OF MERCEDES NOTIFYING YOU THAT IT WILL EXTEND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY COVERAGE ON COVERED FUEL TANK COMPONENTS IN E CLASS VEHICLES IN MY 2003-2009. HOWEVER WHEN I REACHED OUT TO MB-USA THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY, WHICH SEEMS TO CONTRARY TO WHAT YOU HAVE PUBLISHED ON YOUR WEBSITE. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT. THANKS. *TR

I TURNED ON MY ENGINE AND MADE A U-TURN TO TRAVEL UP MY STREET. WHEN I COMPLETED THE TURN A RED WARNING LIGHT FLASHED THAT MY BREAK SYSTEM WAS NOT FULLY OPERABLE/TAKE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER. IN A FEW FEET, MY BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, CAR WOULD NOT STOP, AND EMERGENCY BRAKES DID NOT WORK. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR; NO AMOUNT OF PUMPING STOPPED THE CAR. THE WARNING FLASHED "PUMP BRAKES!' I CONTINUED, TO NO AVAIL, AND FINALLY, ABOUT 15 FEET BEFORE THE INTERSECTION, THE CAR SLOWED TO A STOP. THIS OCCURRED ON MONDAY (I HAD JUST PICKED UP MY CAR THE FRIDAY BEFORE BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A "SQUEAKY-CHIRP LIKE SOUND WHEN PRESSED, AFTER WORK HAD BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER ON ANOTHER ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK THE SAME DAY THAT HAPPENED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS AIR IN THE BRAKES; THAT USUALLY, WHEN PUMPED 15 TIMES, IT GOES AWAY. FROM THEN ON, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND/OR PRESSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, AS THOUGH NOT HELD SECURELY). THE DEALER TOWED IT TO THE SHOP AND NOW SAYS MY SBC SYSTEM FAILED BUT THERE WAS NO WAY TO FORESEE OR PREDICT THAT PROBLEM BY CHECKING THE BRAKES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM; ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE DEALER SAYING THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO DETECT A PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME $2000 TO FIX A BRAKE PROBLEM I BELIEVE THEY CAUSED WHEN THEY HAD MY CAR INITIALLY AND/OR DID NOT IDENTIFY AFTER ME TAKING IT TO THEM, TWICE, THER

THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS (MBEC) BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER'S AND/OR DESIGN DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THIS VEHICLE TO NOT GO INTO PROPER GEAR AND/OR STALL SUDDENLY PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK. I BARELY ESCAPED BEING SMASHED INTO BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE MAKING A ROUTINE LEFT HAND TURN INTO A GAS STATION BECAUSE MY MBEC WAS STUCK IN GEAR AND DID NOT ACCELERATE AS IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND DESIGNED TO DO BUT RATHER SPUTTERED AT LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR (MPH). THE ONLY REASON I WAS NOT T-BONED AND LIKELY SERIOUSLY INJURED ALONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE WAS BECAUSE THE OTHER DRIVERS SWERVED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSING THOSE DRIVERS TO ALSO SWERVE. MIRACULOUSLY NO ONE WAS INJURED, THIS TIME. ALSO, THE REASON WHY I WAS TURNING INTO THE GAS STATION WAS BECAUSE I WAS FORCED TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE MY MBEC WOULD NOT CHANGE GEAR AFTER I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING RED-LINING AT AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE ENGINE MIGHT BLOW. THE TIPTRONIC ALSO FAILED DURING THIS MALFUNCTION. I HAD THE AUTHORIZED MB DEALER THAT I HAVE USED SINCE I PURCHASED MY MBEC PICKUP MY VEHICLE TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND MY ADVISOR TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW BALANCE SHAFT BECAUSE THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE HAD PREMATURELY WORN (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALWAYS STRINGENTLY FOLLOWED MY MB ADVISOR'S SUGGESTIONS) AND IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY $6,500. S/HE ALSO SAID THIS OCCURS IN ROUGHLY 15-20% OF '06 MBEC. BUT MB WOULD NOT FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT UNLESS I PAID. WORSE YET, MY ADVISOR NEVER MADE ME AWA

AFTER FILLING GAS AT THE SHELL GAS STATION I GOT ON TO THE 101 FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE INSIDES OF THE VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE, IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS AND PULL OVER. I FELT LIKE I WILL PASS OUT BECAUSE OF THE INTENSITY OF THE SMELL. *TR

STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER REFILLING THE TANK. ODOR WENT AWAY AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE THEREBY LOWERING THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK. M-B OF TAMPA AND MB OF USA REFUSED TO MAKE WARRANTY REPAIR FUEL LEAKAGE PROBLEM DUE MY PZEV VEHICLE (WITH OPTION 917) WAS SOLD IN FLORIDA (NOT IN 10 STATES WHICH HAVE "0 EMISSION REQUIREMENTS"). AS PER SUMMARY OF O.D.I. "IN LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 2014, MERCEDES HAS NOTIFIED AGENCY (ODI NHTSA) 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." LOOKS-LIKE MERCEDES DROPPED OUT OF THE GENERAL LIST OF THE MY 2003 THROUGH 2009 E-CLASS ALL PZEV VEHICLES (WITH OPTION 917) MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT SOLD TO CUSTOMERS BY M-B OFFICIAL DEALERS IN THE STATES, WHICH DO NOT HAVE "0-EMISSION" REQUIREMENTS. *TR

I WAS FIRST OWNER OF THIS BENZ 2006 E350. IT WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT. I TYPICALLY PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE GARAGE. HOWEVER, AFTER I MOVED THE CAR INSIDE MY GARAGE A FEW DAYS AGO, I SMELLED GAS. SO I LIFTED UP 2ND ROW SEAT, UNCOVERED THE COVERING-PIECE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, I SAW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH TWO CONNECTORS, ONE FOR SENSOR AND ONE FOR POWER SUPPLY. I SAW THE AREA AROUND POWER CONNECTOR IS WET. IT SMELLS GAS. OBVIOUSLY, THE GAS LEAK WAS FROM THE TOP OF FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM (OR TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING). I'M GLAD I DID THIS INVESTIGATION TONIGHT. I PLAN TO SEE A BENZ DEALER TOMORROW IN LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA, WHERE THE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN AFTER I HOLD HIM THAT MY E350 IS UNDER BENZ 2006 - PZEV 15 YEARS OR 150,000 MI EMISSION RELATED WARRANTY. *TR

WE, MY WIFE AND 3 SON'S WERE COMING DOWN FROM BIG BEAR WHEN IT STARTED SNOWING. SNOW GOT HEAVY AND I WAS APPROACHING A SHARP CURVE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 8MILES MADE THE TURN ND SLOWLY PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDDLE, THE RPMS WENT UP BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD TO STOP PUT THE CAR IN PARK THEN TURN IT OF, TURN IT BACK ON, PUT IT IN GEAR AND ACCELERATE SLOWLY. AS I LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRRORS, I NOTICED CARS SKIDDING SIDEWAYS AND SOME HITTING THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, THERE WAS A LARGE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IN BACK OF ME SO IT HID THE MAKE OF MY CAR AND LICENSE PLATE.THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE BUT THE RPMS REV UP. ALSO IN THE MORNINGS WHEN I GO TO WORK THE CAR DOWN SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARD, SEEMS THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO BREAK ALONG WITH MY COLLARBONE. PLEASE SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOW ABOUT THE DEFECTS PLEASE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. UPON REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE STRONG FUMES WERE EXTREME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION OR THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK AND START DRIVING I CAN SMELL GAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE, I LOOKED UNDER CAR AND THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS WET AND SMELLS LIKE GAS. KIND OF SCARED THAT THE CAR MIGHT START ON FIRE. WHAT CAN I DO? IS THERE A RECALL? I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN ON ANY VEHICLE I OWNED BEFORE. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I GET IN A ACCIDENT? *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE REAR WHEELS SUDDENLY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IN FIRST THROUGH FOURTH GEARS SUCCESSFULLY. AS SOON AS THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO FIFTH GEAR, THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

GAS LEAKING CANNOT BE FIXED MIGHT LEAD TO FIRE OR EXPLOSION BECAUSE OF GAS EVAPORATED STRONGER DAY AFTER DAY. *TR

NOTICED GAS LEAKING ONTO REAR TIRE DURING REFUELING. DEALER DROPPED TANK AND FOUND LEAKING FUEL TANK NECK. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL THAT HAS A SERVICE THRESHOLD. WHEN THIS THRESHOLD IS REACHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO NON POWER ASSISTED HYDRAULIC MODE TO THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY. THIS OCCURS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND RESULTS IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE SENT A COPY OF THE MERCEDES SERVICE BULLETIN S142.46-P-0012A WHICH ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES STOPPED INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM IN 2006. AT THE VERY LEAST, MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A MANDATORY RECALL TO INTERROGATE THESE VEHICLES WITH STAR DAS TO DETERMINE HOW CLOSE TO THE SERVICE THRESHOLD THE SBC UNIT IS AND REPLACE THEM AT THE DEALER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK AND PARKING CAR IN GARAGE, A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL FILLED THE GARAGE AND HOUSE. HAD TO REMOVE CAR FROM GARAGE. THIS HAPPENS IF I FILL THE TANK. I DO NOT OVERFILL. IF I DON'T FILL THE TANK I DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AROUND 50 MILES THE SMELL GOES AWAY. *TR

VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AUTOMOBILE, STRONGEST AFTER REFUELING. *TR

GEARING MECHANISM SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF, RESTARTED AND THEN CAR MOVED FORWARD WITH A VERY JERKY MOTION SITUATION POSED A DANGEROUS HAZARD TO PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. *TR

BALANCE SHIFT WORNED

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE RESTARTED, THE KEY HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION AND RE- INSERTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALANCE SHIFT AND CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

THE CAR WAS SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ESPECIALLY AFTER FILLING UP THE FULL TANK. WHEN I LIFTED THE BACK SEAT AND OPENED THE COVER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP IS THERE WAS A GASOLINE EVERYWHERE OVERFLOWING THE FUEL PUMP. THERE WERE ALSO MARKS OF GASOLINE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR (LEFT REAR SIDE), ON THE PLASTIC AND PARTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS IS A HEALTH CONCERN FOR ALL PASSENGERS BREATHING THE AIR FILLED WITH GASOLINE FUMES AND ALSO A FIRE HAZARD IN CASE THE GASOLINE LEAKING OUTSIDE THE TANK GETS IN CONTACT WITH A SPARK ON THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME $3,800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ENTIRE TANK. I TRIED CALLING THE CORPORATE TO LET THEM KNOW THAT I HAVE READ OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP AND SAID ITS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR. *TR

THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG AND SICKENING GASOLINE ODOR THAT COMES FROM THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR AN ENCLOSED SPACE. THE ODOR ARISES FROM INSIDE THE CAR, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE BACK. THIS ODOR OCCURS EVERY TIME AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED UP. *TR

GAS FUMES AND GAS LEAK AFTER FILLING TANK. DEALER STATES CAR NEEDS A NEW FUEL TANK, FUEL LINE AND SENSORS AND ESTIMATES REPAIRS OF $2700.00. *TR

I FILLED THE TANK BEFORE GOING ON VACATION. CAR WAS LEFT PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY. WHEN I CAME BACK THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR. THE GAS TANK IS UNDER THE BACK SEAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO FIX. THEY REPLACED THE TANK INNER MODULE, CABLE HARNESS, AUXILIARY PUMP, SEAL RING AND BREATHER PIPE. SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL. REMOVED AND REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE SENDING UNITS. MODULES IN FUEL TANK AND SEALS FOR THE SAME. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. I HAVE TO KEEP THE FUEL TANK AT LESS THAN 3/4 TANK FOR IT NOT TO SMELL. VERY CONCERNED SAFETY WISE. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I SPENT THEY COULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK UNIT. *JS

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN CHECK INDICATES CAM SENSOR PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, THE FUEL STARTED TO LEAK BACK OUT. ALSO, STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTED AT THE REAR AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,500.

LEAKING FUEL TANK. VEHICLE IS EXCELLENT CONDITION, VERY WELL MAINTAINED, WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP FOR ITS REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICE. I HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL AROUND THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER MECHANIC NOTED A LEAK IN THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, AND RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE FUEL TANK. OTHER THAN THIS DEFECT, THE FUEL TANK IS IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION. I CALLED A NUMBER OF LOCAL MERCEDES MECHANICS FOR PRICE COMPARISON AND THIS APPEARS TO BE A "KNOWN" PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THE REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2,000! DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED, I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. *TR

VEHICLE HAS FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUT LIKE THERE IS A LEAK. ODOR WORST AFTER FILL UP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES EMITTED INSIDE AND AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

PO16, PO17 NEEDS TO REPLACE BALANCESHAFT TIMING CHAIN WILL COST 8-10K. ENGINE WILL FAIL IF NOT REPLACED . THERE IS A NOTICE ON THIS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. MERCEDES REFUSE TO PAY , COVER COST WHEN IT IS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE ENGINE SHOULD LAST LONGER. *TR

A FUEL TANK LEAK WAS IDENTIFIED BY AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES MECHANIC. FILLING UP THE CAR WITH FUEL AND PARKING IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT, ALWAYS PRODUCED A SIGNIFICANT GAS ODOR WHEN RETURNING TO THE GARAGE. IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS (SECOND OWNER AT ABOUT 25-30KK MILES), AND I ASSUMED IT WAS JUST A QUIRK OF FILLING THE TANK. I HAVE ALWAYS SERVICED THE CAR AT A MB DEALER, BUT RECENTLY WANT TO A LOCAL WELL RECOMMENDED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ANOTHER ISSUE AND HE ASKED ME IF I KNEW I HAD A FUEL LEAK. I SAID NO, AND HE SAID DO YOU EVER SMELL GAS, AND CLEARLY THIS WAS IDENTIFIED AND HAD STORED CODES IN THE CAR SYSTEM THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF. HE INDICATED THAT THE SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND CRACK REPAIRED AND IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CALLED MB USA, AND THEY INDICATED THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY OF OTHER COMPLAINTS TO THIS NATURE. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY THE DEALER WOULD NEVER HAVE IDENTIFIED THIS, THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NEVER INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERS IN ANY WAY REGARDING AN ISSUE LIKE THIS AND THE DEALER HAS NO INCENTIVE TO NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE AND I SHOULD DISCUSS WITH THEM. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. I UNDERSTAND THAT FUEL WOULD POOL OVER THE GAS TANK FROM THE LEAK. *TR

AFTER GETTING OUT OF MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR BOTTOM OF MY VEHICLE. THERE IS A LARGE LEAK SOMEWHERE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THIS NOW OCCURS EVERY TIME I GET NEAR THE VEHICLE BUT IS STRONGEST AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN. IT NOW ALSO SMELLS LIKE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. IT IS NOT SO NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING AND THE AC IS ON. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT I THINK IT WOULD IGNITE IF SOMEBODY WALKS BY WITH A CIGARETTE. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTIL I AM ABLE TO FIX IT. TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GASOLINE TANK IN MY MERCEDES BENZ WHEN THE SMELL FROM GASOLINE FUMES BECAME OVERWHELMING. I HAD THE SMELL, ESPECIALLY AFTER I FILLED UP THE TANK FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT A GASOLINE SMELL AFTER FILLING UP IS NORMAL. WHEN I TOOK IN THE CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT DRIVE IT ANY LONGER BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE SMELL, I WAS TOLD THAT MY GAS TANK HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS WAS VERY UNUSUAL. THE GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED AND I HAVE HAD NO GASOLINE SMELL SINCE THEN. *TR

BEGAN TO NOTICE A SIGNIFICANT FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS SO STRONG THAT WHEN IT IS ENCLOSED IN THE GARAGE, WE ARE AFRAID A PILOT LIGHT COULD IGNITE A FIRE. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSES GEAR TEETH TO WEAR PREMATURELY. THIS IS A INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENT. POOR MATERIALS CAUSED THE CAMSHAFT SPROCKET TEETH TO WEAR OUT ? THUS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS LIKE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKETS ARE MEANT TO LAST AT LEAST 150000 MILES ON MB CARS ? THUS THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE & REPAIRS SO EXPENSIVE. SYMPTOM STARTS WITH CAMSHAFT POSITION RELATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - REPAIR COSTS $7000. THIS OCCURS FOR MANY MANY MANY CARS WITH THAT M272 ENGINE. THIS IS A ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY HAZARD. MERCEDES SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL. REF: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/E-CLASS-W211/442004-DREADED-M272-BALANCE-SHAFT.HTML REF: HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/C-CLASS-W203/376585-P0016-P0017-CAMSHAFT-POSITION-SENSOR-LOCATION-PLEASE-HELP.HTML. *TR

AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE CAR. GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING AND SOME OF THE GAS IS USED OUT OF THE TANK. CANNOT FIND ANY GAS LEAKING ON THE GROUND AROUND THE VEHICLE AND I DO NOT 'TOP OFF' THE TANK. I AM NO LONGER PARKING THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AS I AM CONCERNED ABOUT AN EXPLOSION AS THERE IS A GAS WATER HEATER IN THE GARAGE. SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM THIS GAS IS LEAKING....AND IT'S NOT COMING OUT ON THE GROUND!!! SCARY *TR

MASSIVE FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR BECAME SICK FROM FUMES FEAR OF POSSIBLE EXPLOSION .STILL CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT WINDOWS BEING OPEN..HAD TO PURCHASE NEW CAR AND PARK E350 AS UNDER THESE CONDITIONS CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE POOLING FUEL IN BACK SEAT AREA. *TR

FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR WE FOUND THAT TOP FUEL TANK HAS SEVERAL CRACKS AND FUEL LEAKS THROUGH THEM ,WE FIND OUT THAT IT HAPPENED TO LOT OF THAT CAR OWNERS. *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN INSIDE (AND OUTSIDE) PARTICULARLY AFTER FILLING IT UP WITH GAS. FIND GASOLINE ON TOP OF FUEL SENDING UNIT. *TR

AFTER REFUELING THE CAR TO A FULL TANK OF GAS, I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE PARKED IN MY GARAGE. THIS HAPPENED AFTER REPEATED FILL UPS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDESBENZ DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS BAD PURGE VALVE WHICH WAS REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $300. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND I AM NOW BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUEL TANK, LINES AND OTHER COMPONENTS NEED REPLACING FOR ESTIMATED $3500. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS OR PRIOR COMPLAINTS, TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, OF THIS SIMILAR COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOW LEARNED THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME FULL TANK IS FILLED. HEAVY FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NOTICED STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AFTER FILLING TANK - TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS QUOTED OVER $700 TO REPLACE FUEL LEVEL SENDER AND SEALS. PROBLEM CAUSES UNSAFE LEVEL OF FLAMMABLE AND TOXIC GASOLINE VAPOR TO BUILD UP IN CAR DUE TO EVAPORATION OF POOL OF LEAKED FUEL ON TOP OF TANK (LOCATED UNDER REAR SEAT). APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON '03 TO '09 W211 BODY STYLE, BUT MB OFFERS NO HELP UNLESS CAR WAS SOLD IN STATES REQUIRING PZEV CERTIFICATION. *TR

I HAVE A STRONG SMELL OF GAS AFTER FILLING UP TANK. NOTICED VERY STRONG WHEN SITTING IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. *TR

FUEL SMELL IN REAR INSIDE (AND OUTSIDE) PARTICULARLY AFTER FILLING IT UP WITH GAS. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SHORTLY AFTER FILL UP OF GASOLINE. LIGHT GOES OUT WHEN TANK IS ABOUT 1/2. REPEATS AT NEXT FILL UP. CHECK ENGINE CODE IS P0456: EVAP SYSTEM VERY SMALL LEAK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

ON THE WAY TO WORK, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. AFTER A FEW MILES, AT AN INTERSECTION, MY CAR JERKED AND I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE THE SIGNAL LIGHT. I DECIDED TO GO BACK. AFTER I SHIFTED TO REVERSE, THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE BACK AND STOPPED THERE TOTALLY. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED, THE CAR WORKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY, IT NEEDS "ENTIRE VALVE BODY/CONDUCTOR PLATE ASSY-REPLACE AND RETEST" AND TOTAL COST IS $2000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, FUMES SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE. A FUEL LEAK WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED NAUSEA AND VOMITING AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE FUMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.