2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints

BASED ON NEWS REPORTS FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKS THAT ARE COMMON WITH MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS MODELS BETWEEN 2003 - 2009. I AM WRITING TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY WIFE'S 2006 E 350 THAT WAS JUST SERVICED FOR A FUEL LEAK. FOR SOMETIME SHE NOTICED A GAS SMELL AFTER REFUELING. ON 10/16/13 WHEN SHE REFUELED THE FUMES IN THE CAR WERE VERY STRONG AND DID NOT GO AWAY SO SHE TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEARBY DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE NEXT MORNING. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FUEL LEAK. THE LEAK WAS SEVERE ENOUGH THAT GAS HAD LEAKED INTO THE CUSHIONS OF THE BACK SEAT WHERE OUR 3 YEAR OLD TODDLER TYPICALLY SITS. THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A "SAFETY CONCERN". I AGREED. I ALSO EXPRESSED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA ABOUT THE GAS THAT LEAKED INTO THE SEAT CUSHION AND THAT THE LEAK SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR E-CLASS MODELS. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE PAID FOR THE COMPLETED REPAIR, I REQUESTED THAT THE REPAIR BE COVERED BY MBUSA. BECAUSE NO RECALL EXISTS, MBUSA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEAK AS A DEFECT AND IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING MY REQUEST FOR AN OUT-OF-WARRANTY REPAIR COVERAGE, INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR SEAT CUSHION. MY WIFE, OLDEST SON AND I HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ASTHMA. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE FUMES THAT CONTINUE TO LINGER WILL THREATEN ASTHMA-RELATED COMPLICATIONS. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION UPON REQUEST. *TR

WHEN THE CAR'S GAS TANK WAS FILLED, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. WITH A BEDROOM CLOSE BY AND AN HVAC SYSTEM ABOVE, WE THOUGHT THIS WAS UNSAFE AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL. MERCEDES ENDED UP CHARGING US A DISCOUNTED PRICE OF $1476 FOR THE REPAIR, BUT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE PAID THE FULL COST OF REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE TANK WOULD LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN MY GARAGE AFTER FILLING UP WITH FUEL. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE FROZEN. AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD INCREASE SPEED THEN IT WOULD AGAIN SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PULLED OVER I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME DRIVING. ONCE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE WITH NO PROBLEM. WHEN I GOT READY TO TRAVEL BACK HOME I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I WAS NOW ABLE TO ONLY DRIVE THE CAR USING MANUAL SHIFT OR DRIVE IN 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AT 20 TO 30 MPH. I HAD THE CAR EVALUATED BY MERCEDES IN ATLANTA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOME PROBLEM WITH SOME TYPE OF TRANSMISSION PUMP AND THAT I WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY MERCEDES SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH PREVIOUS CARS THAT I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 10 PLUS YEARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THIS VEHICLE. A NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST ME $6500. I CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR FOR THAT PRICE. I DID HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT HAS NOW EXPIRED. *JS

VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN CABIN OF CAR AFTER REFUELING. FUEL SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSES YOU DIZZINESS WHILE DRIVING UNLESS WINDOWS ARE OPEN. JUST STARTED THE LAST TIME I FILLED UP. THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS BUT CAN'T FIND ONE. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM WITH A VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS.

AFTER EACH VISIT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP WITH FUEL HAVE HEAVY ODOR OF FUEL AROUND ENTIRE CAR. ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT AND ENTIRE GARAGE SMELLS OF GAS. NOW HAVE TO PARK CAR OUTSIDE. *TR

THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN AND EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS VERY STRONG SMELL IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK, BUT CONTINUES TO SMELL THROUGHOUT THE LEVELS IN THE TANK. I AM VERY AFRAID OF A POSSIBLE FIRE DUE TO THE WHAT SEEMS TO BE EXCESS GASOLINE. I AM EXTREMELY FEARFUL SHOULD I EVER GET INVOLVED IN A REAR END TYPE ACCIDENT. I FEEL THAT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY ARE IN DANGER UNTIL THIS SITUATION IS EVALUATED. THIS IS A KNOWN CONDITION THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND RECTIFY THE SITUATION. *TR

STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN MY E350 MERCEDES BENZ CAR FOR FEW DAYS. CALLED MY MERCEDES BENZ MAINTENANCE SHOP( MERCEDES BENZ -GREEN WAY PLAZA AT HOUSTON TX). THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THIS A COMMON IN THIS SERIES CAR. THE FUEL LEAK WAS FROM FUEL PUMP ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER AREA LIKE HOUSTON. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NO "RECALL" ON THIS ISSUE. UPDATED 09/10/13*LJ UPDATED 12/21/13 *JS

I PURCHASED MY MERCEDES E350 IN NOVEMBER OF 2008. I BEGAN NOTICING A STRONG FUEL ODOR EVERY TIME I WOULD FILL THE TANK, WHICH WOULD DISSIPATE AFTER A FEW DAYS. SINCE THE ODOR WOULD GO AWAY WITHIN A FEW DAYS, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGES AND SUCH AND THEY WOULD ALWAYS MENTION A LONG LIST OF ITEMS REQUIRING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, BUT NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUEL TANK (ALTHOUGH THE GAS SMELL WAS OBVIOUS AT TIMES). IN JUNE OF 2012, MY HUSBAND BEGAN DRIVING THE MERCEDES TO WORK. HE SMELLED THE ODOR IMMEDIATELY UPON FILLING CAUSING HIM MASSIVE HEADACHES. ALSO, HE NOTICED GAS LEAKING UNDER THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR THE REAR TIRE WHENEVER HE FILLED UP THE TANK. A MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, AND DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UPON REMOVING THE REAR SEAT. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT HAD POOLED INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE SENDING UNITS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES REPLACED THE SENDING UNITS, AND KNOWINGLY SENT US ON OUR WAY WITHOUT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. REPLACING THE SENDING UNITS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HEAVY LEAKAGE CONTINUED, AND THE ODOR OF GAS BECAME OVERWHELMING AS THE TEMPERATURES REMAINED IN THE 100'S. WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO MERCEDES, THEY INFORMED US OF A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK AND QUOTED US $2600+ FOR REPAIRS. THE MERCEDES SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT OUR PROBLEM WAS NOT UNCOMMON, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ARIZONA HEAT

BASED ON NEWS ITEMS REGARDING MERCEDES-BENZ W211 (U.S.A. MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 E CLASS) VEHICLES EXPERIENCING FUEL LEAKS, AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS PERFORMED ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLE. GROSS EXAM REVEALED NO FUEL PUDDLING ON THE GROUND BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND A LACK OF FUEL ODOR WITHIN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ENVIRONMENT IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, REMOVAL OF THE REAR SEAT BENCH, UNDERLYING INSULATION PAD AND LEFT FUEL PUMP ACCESS PLATE REVEALED FUEL ODOR; CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE SUPERIOR OUTER ASPECT OF THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY TO BE WET WITH GASOLINE; FUEL-INDUCED DISCOLORATION (WHITE TO BROWN) OF THE PLASTIC COMPRISING THIS SUPERIOR ASPECT WAS CLEARLY EVIDENT. POOLING OF FUEL WITHIN THE LEFT PUMP WELL OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS NOT PRESENT. THE CLAMPED BLACK RUBBER FUEL DELIVERY HOSE WAS SECURE AND DRY, AS WAS THE OUTFLOW NIPPLE TO WHICH IT WAS ATTACHED. THE PLASTIC IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE NIPPLE WAS NOT DISCOLORED. NO REMEDIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, INSTALLATION OF A NEW STYLE PUMP (DELIVERY UNIT WITH FLUID LEVEL SENSOR, M-B PN A211 470 41 94) AND SEAL RING (M-B PN A211 471 05 79) IS PLANNED IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. *TR

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK, NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR ON DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. OPENED FUEL SENDING UNIT ACCESS PANEL UNDER REAR SEAT AND NOTICED FUEL POOLED ON TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT. THE FUEL ODOR DISSIPATES AS FUEL IS CONSUMED. HOWEVER, THE ODOR RETURNS ON EACH FULL TANK FILL. SUMMARY: GASOLINE IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE REAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER. *TR

GAS SMELL/LEAK WHEN TANK IS FULL. *TR

THE SAME DAY PLATE LIGHT, TRUNK REMOTE OPENER STOP WORKING DUE TO MELTED BROWN WIRE IN THE TRUNK DEALER DO NOT WANT TO FIX ACTUALLY ASKED FOR 300 TO CHECK THE PROBLEM . A LOTS OF DISCUSSION IS GOING ON THE WEB TO SOLVE BUT I COULD NOT . FUEL SMELL IN THE GARAGE OFTEN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. ON A SECOND OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR

AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM THE FILLING STATION AND PARKING MY E350 MERCEDES IN THE GARAGE, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT INSIDE THE CAR. I WAS CERTAIN I HAD NOT SOMEHOW "OVER-FILLED" IT, AND AFTER REPEATED FUELINGS SINCE THEN, I KNOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE. THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WHEN THE TANK IS ABOVE 3/4-FULL. IT PROGRESSIVELY LESSENS AS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK IS REDUCED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALER (WHERE I BOUGHT IT NEW) AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING. THEY WANTED $659 FOR THE REPAIR WHICH I DECLINED AS I WANTED TO FIRST DO SOME RESEARCH AND POSSIBLY GET ANOTHER QUOTE SINCE THE PRICE WAS ABSURD. I WAS THEN ASTOUNDED TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE EXPENSIVE VEHICLES, WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTED WITHIN VARIOUS AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS AND FILINGS WITH THE NHTSA. IT IS WRONG THAT A FUNDAMENTAL PART LIKE THIS SHOULD LEAK FUEL. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD REQUIRE ANY SERVICE AND IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES OUT THERE WITHOUT SUCH PROBLEMS. SO, CLEARLY MERCEDES DID NOT GET IT RIGHT ON THEIR DESIGN. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT PARKING THE CAR IN MY GARAGE SINCE IT PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE FUMES. I EXPECT THIS PROBLEM WILL ONLY GET WORSE. MERCEDES NEEDS TO STEP-UP AND RETROFIT THESE VEHICLES NOW INSTEAD OF LEAVING IT UP TO THE CONSUMER TO ABSORB THE COST O

I OWN A 2006 MERCEDES E-SERIES WITH 47,000 MILES. I HAVE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE GARAGE AFTER REFILLING THE TANK. THE PROBLEM WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY FUEL TAN SEAL. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS OVER $600. IN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THIS IS A COMMON DANGEROUS PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I ALSO FIND THAT IN INSTANCES WHERE THE SEAL HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE PROBLEM RECURS A SHORT TIME LATER AND IT IS RELATED TO THE ENTIRE MECHANISM, NOT JUST THE SEAL. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MERCEDES AND PLAN TO REPORT THIS TO THE NHTSA. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

VEHICLE AT 80,000 HAS FUEL SMELLS IN AND OUT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL TANK TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. OVER $2,000 REPAIR. FOUND OUT FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MERCEDES BENZ THAT IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT. NOT GOOD. *TR

STRONG GAS ODOR INSIDE THE CAR. IT MADE ME DIZZY AND HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOW FULLY. CLOSED THE WINDOW WITH AC ON AT MAXIMUM FAN SPEED WOULD NOT HELP. THE ODOR LASTED FOR 2 WEEKS. I FOUND THE GAS ACCUMULATED ON TOP OF THE TANK AT DRIVER SIDE AFTER I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

LEAK ON THE SENDING UNIT IN FUEL TANK. POSSIBLY NEED TO REPLACE FUEL TANK AS WELL. STRONG GAS SMELL. EVIDENTLY THIS HAPPENS ON MOST OF THESE CARD AND NO RECALL GAS BEEN MADE BY MB. *TR

THE ISSUE ORIGINATED AS A FAINT FUEL SMELL WHEN THE TANK WAS 3/4 FULL OR HIGHER, PARKED ON SLIGHT INCLINES. THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY WORSE, AND TODAY LEFT A TRAIL OF FUEL BEHIND IT. CALLING LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 123,3XX. *TR

WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THERE IS THE SMELL OF GASOLINE THAT LINGERS UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUN FOR A SHORT TIME. IT HAPPENS NO MATTER HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK BUT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME. IT CAN GO A WEEK OR MORE SOMETIMES AND NOT HAPPEN AND THEN OCCUR FOR SEVERAL DAYS STRAIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT GEARS FROM DRIVE TO PARK AND BACK TO DRIVE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

AFTER MY WIFE, FILLED UP THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH IN THE CABIN AND THE TRUNK. THE SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE FUEL LEVEL IS REDUCED AS A RESULT OF DRIVING. HOWEVER, AS EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FILLED UP (NEVER TOP THE FUEL TANK) THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL. THIS HAS CAUSED MY WIFE BEING LIGHT HEADED AND SICK AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. SHE HAS TO LOWER THE WINDOW WHEN DRIVING. FUEL IS A CARCINOGEN AND VERY DANGEROUS TO HUMAN HEALTH. *TR

AFTER FILLING UP THE VEHICLE THERE IS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL BOTH IN THE CABIN AND THE TRUNK. THE SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE FUEL LEVEL IS REDUCED AS A RESULT OF DRIVING. HOWEVER, AS EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FILLED UP (NEVER TOP THE FUEL TANK) THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL. THIS HAS CAUSED ME BEING LIGHT HEADED AND SICK AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. FUEL IS A CARCINOGEN AND VERY DANGEROUS TO HUMAN HEALTH. *TR

VERY STRONG, LASTING, GAS ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I SEARCHED FORUM OF MBWORLD.ORG AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE CAUSE COULD BE A LEAKING FUEL LEVER SENDER DUE TO BROKEN SEAL. I REMOVED THE REAR SEAT AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF GAS ON TOP OF THE TANK. THE DEALER I CALLED TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS MATTER AND I WORLD HAVE TO PAY $160 FOR DIAGNOSTIC EVEN THIS IS EMISSION RELATED SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND STATE INSPECTION. AFTER RECEIVING A PHONE THAT THE GAS TANK HAD LEAKS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $2500 IN ORDER TO PASS STATE INSPECTION I DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE OVER 500 COMPLAINTS BEING REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, A GAS LEAK IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND GIVEN THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT WE ARE SURPRISED THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN PUT INTO A RECALL STATUS. *TR

PURCHASED 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350 4MATIC WITH 47,851 MILES ON ODOMETER FROM MATTIE IMPORTS, INC., FALL RIVER, MA ON MAY 27, 2013. AUTOMOBILE HAD APPROXIMATELY ONE-QUARTER OF A TANK OF GASOLINE AT PURCHASE. SALESPERSON DECLINED PURCHASER'S REQUEST TO "TOP-OFF" THE GAS TANK PRIOR TO BUYER LEAVING SELLERS LOT. ON MAY 28, 2013 BUYER FILLED GAS TANK WITH FUEL. BUYER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHICH CONTINUED AFTER EXITING FUELING STATION. ODOR PROGRESSED FROM EXTERIOR OF AUTOMOBILE INTO AUTOMOBILE CABIN. BUYER CHECKED FUEL TANK FILLER CAP AND CONFIRMED IT WAS PROPERLY ENGAGED. BUYER INSPECTED THE ENTIRE AUTOMOBILE FOR ANY LEAKING FLUIDS AND FOUND NONE. THE STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT WHILE THE AUTOMOBILE WAS PARKED IN BUYER'S GARAGE. BUYER LEFT THE GARAGE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN AND PLACED A FAN IN THE OPENING AND SET THE FAN TO EXHAUST IN AN EFFORT TO REMOVE THE STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. BUYER'S 13 YEAR OLD SON WAS UNABLE TO WITHSTAND THE ODOR AND HAD TO COVER HIS NOSE AND MOUTH WHILE PASSING THROUGH BUYER'S GARAGE. BUYER HAS EXPERIENCED NAUSEA AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS SINCE BEING EXPOSED TO THE ODOR. UPON RESEARCH BUYER LEARNED THAT THERE EXISTS AND ONGOING NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE AND A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AS WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT WAS UNBALANCED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,510.

IT HAS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH SINCE PURCHASE WHEN I NOTICE A GAS ODOR INSIDE THE CAR. IT SMELLS LIKE A FUEL LEAK. THE SMELL COMES & GOES. ONE DAY I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALER DUE TO A RECALL & INQUIRED ABOUT A GAS LEAK/ODOR THAT I NOTICED SINCE PURCHASE. I WAS TOLD THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS THEN IF IT IS THE FUEL SYSTEM THEN IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $3000 - $5000. IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE I PURCHASE MY CAR & THE SMELL STILL LINGERS THROUGHOUT THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. I DON'T DRIVE MY CAR AS OFTEN AS I WANT TO DUE TO FEAR OF A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM. *TR

WHEN I FILLED THE GAS TANK I STARTED NOTICING STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR. THE STRONG ODOR STAYED FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS THEN WENT AWAY AS THE GAS WAS USED IN DRIVING. THREE DAYS AGO I HAD THE GAS TANK FILLED AGAIN AND I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMPLAINT LODGED WITH NHTSA. I'D LIKE TO FILE MY SAFETY COMPLAINT TOO AS MY CAR IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. MY GARAGE IS FILLED WITH GASOLINE FUMES AND WHEN I TRIED TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE YESTERDAY, I NOTICED PHYSICAL GASOLINE DRIPPING NEAR THE BACK WHEEL. I CALLED MB USA AND THE LOCAL MB DEALER, THEY ALL SAID THAT I SHOULD STOP DRIVING IT AS ITS A FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD AND TAKE IT INTO THE LOCAL MB DEALER. UNFORTUNATELY, MB WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THIS REPAIR AS ITS OUTSIDE THE 4 YEARS/50K MILES WARRANTY. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR CAN BE EXPENSIVE AND SINCE THERE'S NO RECALL FROM MB, I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. IF THERE'S A RECALL (WHENEVER THAT HAPPENS, IT COULD TAKE MONTH/YEARS!!) THEN MB 'MIGHT' REIMBURSE ME. I THINK THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF ASAP BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES AND MB SHOULD PROVIDE THE RIGHT ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS HAZARDOUS AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE ADDRESSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,978. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

I AM EXPERIENCING HIGHLY INTOXICATING FUMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE GAS TANK. I CAN NO LONGER PARK VEHICLE INSIDE MY GARAGE FOR FEAR OF AN EXPLOSION. WHEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THE GAS TANK, BUT DOE TO THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED. *TR

FOLLOWING FILL-UP AND ONLY WHEN TANK IS FUEL, STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN GARAGE. TALKED TO MECHANIC THAT INSPECTED VEHICLE. FOUND RESEARCH ONLINE DESCRIBING SIMILAR CONCERN AND ONGOING NHTSA INVESTIGATION. *TR

AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS THERE IS A GASOLINE SMELL. ODOR SO STRONG CANNOT LEAVE CAR IN GARAGE UNTIL GAS DIPS BELOW APPROXIMATELY 3/4 TANK. *TR

CAR FIRE - COMPLETE LOSS UPDATED 04/18/13*LJ PICTURES RECEIVED. 04/18/13 *TR

MOVED TELESCOPING STEERING WHEEL OUT SRS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED. MERCEDES IS AWARE THE CONNECTING HARNESS IS TOO SHORT THEY MAKE A REPAIR KIT BUT WILL NOT WARRANTY AFTER 100,000. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MERCEDES SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND REPLACE BEFORE INCIDENT. *TR

GAS TANK LEAKING CAUSING GAS TO DRAIN INTO BACK SEAT. COST TO REPLACE WAS APROX 1000 FOR PART ALONE. AFTER GOING TO MERCEDES, MY OTHER MECHANIC WAS LOOKING AT OTHER USED PARTS AND FOUND THAT ALL USED PARTS HAD SAME ISSUE AND LEAKING FOR EXACT LOCATION. UPPER PORTION OF GAS TANK. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE LOTS OF THESE ISSUES GOING ON. MERCEDES NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

ON GAS FILLED UP, THE ENTIRE GARAGE SMELL OF STRONG GASOLINE SMELL THAT CAN CAUSE NAUSEA AND DIZZINESS IF GARAGE DOOR IS NOT OPENED TO ALLOW FRESH AIR, MECHANICS SAID THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND SIMILAR CAR OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. SMELL WILL GO AWAY WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IS BELOW 7/8 LEVEL. I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM AT AROUND 50,000 MILES AND REPAIR 51,103. THE SMELL WAS ALSO STRONG IN THE CABIN. MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTS FOR EPA, SAFETY AND HEALTH CONCERNS BEFORE ANY INCIDENCE AND RESULTING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE DEALER WROTE ME AN EMAIL STATING ". THE SENDER SEALS WE REPLACED ARE ON EACH SIDE AND WHERE YOU SEE THE LARGE RED CAPS. THESE SEALS GENERALLY DETERIORATE WITH TIME, AGE AND WITH HEAT. " BUT THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE WHOLE GAS TANK AT A COST OF $2,057. IN THE SERVICE TICKET IT WAS INDICATED "FOUND FUEL TANK LEAKING AT BREATHER HOSE " WHICH IS PART OF THE VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM THAT IS WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS BUT MERCEDES DENIED THE REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND NEED TO BE RESOLVE. *TR

PLEASE HELP TO ENCOURAGE MERCEDES BENZ TO REPLACE TO NEW GAS TANK PART #211-470-0502, FOR ALL THEIR CARS THAT HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE GAS TANK PART # 211-470-4201! ON 10-24-2012 I CAME INTO MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I SMELLED GAS AND OIL. THE DEALERSHIP MISDIAGNOSED THE GAS SMELL TO BE THE SENDING UNITS, REPLACING THEM. LIST: (211-470-40-94 AUXILIARY PU, 211-471-05-79 SEAL RING, 5088 PARTS CLEANER). THEN ON JAN 28, 2013, WHEN I CAME IN FOR MY ANNUAL INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND SAID THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP HAD MISDIAGNOSED THE SENDING UNITS WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE GAS TANK ON 10-24-2012. MERCEDES BENZ, OLD GAS TANK PART # 211-470-4201, REPLACED BY NEW GAS TANK PART 211-470-0502. THE REASON WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THAT MERCEDES BENZ REPLACE ALL TANKS OUT THERE IS BECAUSE IT ONLY TAKES A SMALL SPARK FROM RUBBING YOUR FOOT ON THE CARPET, TO AN ACCIDENT OR LIGHTING UP A CIGARETTE FOR THIS TO CREATE AN EXPLOSION, BECAUSE THE GAS TANK IS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. I HAVE TWO INVOICES THAT I PAID FOR BAD PARTS AND REPLACING A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK ON THIS MERCEDES BENZ. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT MERCEDES BENZ HAS CARS ON THE ROAD THAT ARE AN ACCIDENT AWAY FROM BLOWING UP! A GAS TANK THAT IS LEAKING GAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR IS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE PAID OVER $56,000 FOR WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR! WHAT ABOUT ALL THE CARS THAT WERE SOLD AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW AND MAY BE IN DANGER? PLEASE

AFTER REFILLING GAS TANK, THERE IS STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE, THIS USUALLY DISAPPEARS AS THE GAS IS CONSUMED, BUT IT PRESENT AS LONG AS THE TANK IS ABOVE 3/4 FULL. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT OCCURRENCE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM MB OF AUSTIN IN 2009. *TR

STRONG GASOLINE ORDER, ESPECIALLY WHEN TANK IS FULL. MECHANIC SAYS THAT GAS TANK PUMP IS LEAKING. I HEAR THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

MY VEHICLE STARTED HAVING A FAINT GAS SMELL AFTER REFUELING A FEW YEARS AGO. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE AS I JUST THOUGHT THIS WAS A MINOR PROBLEM. THE SMELL WOULD DISAPPEAR AFTER I HAD USED ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TANK. THE ODOR HAS GOTTEN STRONGER OVER THE PAST YEAR WHICH PROMPTED ME TO DISCUSS WITH MY MECHANIC. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL CAP AND THE SEALS ON THE GAS TANK WITH NO REDUCTION IN THE SMELL. THEY ALSO CAN FIND NO VISIBLE REASON FOR THE GAS ODOR. THE GAS ODOR IS NOW SO STRONG AFTER REFUELING I AM UNABLE TO PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE THE SMELL PERMEATES THROUGH MY HOME. MY CAR HAS 149,424 MILES ON IN TO DATE. I SAW AN ARTICLE FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE AND THIS PROMPTED ME TO REPORT MY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE UPPER PART OF THE TANK. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FUEL SEAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. *TR UPDATED 4/26/13 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT SIDE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. UPDATED 05/01/13

WHEN THE CAR IS FILLED WITH GAS, THERE IS A VERY STRONG LINGERING GASOLINE SMELL THAT LASTS FOR SEVERAL DAYS. *TR

HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS INSIDE CAR AND IN GARAGE ON FILL UP OF GAS TANK. ON 2/21/13, DEALER FOUND GAS POOLED ABOUT AN INCH THICK ON TOP OF THE 2 SENDING UNITS UNDER 2ND ROW SEATS OF THIS STATION WAGON. GAS WAS LEAKING OUT THRU THE SEALS AND LOCKING RINGS ON TOP OF SENDING UNITS. DEALER FOUND DEFECTIVE LOCKING RINGS, SEALS,AND GAS SENDING UNITS. ALL 3 PARTS REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES RIGHT UNDER THE 2ND ROW SEATS WHERE MY CHILDREN WERE RIDING. THIS DEFECT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO ANYONE IN OR CLOSE TO THE CAR IF GAS TANK EXPLODED FROM GAS LEAKING FROM THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS .EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY WHEN REFUELING TO FULL CAPACITY, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL FOUND ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE VEHICLE ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE FILLER NECK VALVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 05/23/2013 *JS