2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE CAR STARTED TO GET STRONG GAS SMELL SPECIALLY AFTER A FULL TANK FILL UP. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN LATE 2011. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND HITTING A POT HOLE, THE AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE....UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF UPDATED 07/17/2013 *JS

AFTER FILLING CAR THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AROUND THE CAR. THE SMELL CONTINUES UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO @3/4 . AFTER REACHING THIS POINT THE SMELL DISSIPATES SOMEWHAT BUT IS STILL DETECTABLE. THE GARAGE REEKS OF FUEL BUT THERE IS NOTHING ON THE FLOOR(YET). THIS PROBLEM STARTED AT @38,000 MILES AND CONTINUES. WE NOW HAVE @44,000 MILES ON THE CAR. WE TRIED CONTACTING MERCEDES USA BUT THEY MERELY TOLD US TO CONTACT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WE CONTACTED AND RELAYED OUR PROBLEM TO (CHANTILLY VIRGINIA)CLAIMED THERE WAS NO KNOWN FUEL SYSTEM/TANK PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL(2006 E350). THEY WOULD, OF COURSE, LOVE TO CHECK IT OUT. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE COMMON FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM(IF IT WORKS)IS AROUND $2,000. *TR

THE CAR HAD A SERIOUSLY STRONG ORDER INSIDE THE CABIN OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I WOULD FILL UP THE CAR. TO THE POINT OF CAUSING NAUSEA EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THE ORDER WAS TOO STRONG INSIDE THE CABIN. I EVENTUALLY TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE REAR SEAT NOTICE THAT BENEATH THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT WITH A BAD SEAL AND GASOLINE FUMES WOULD POUR RAPIDLY INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ORDER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE NOTICED STRONG GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE SEVERAL PLASTIC PARTS WERE ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A CRACK AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS VERY PROMINENT IN THE VEHICLE CABIN AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I DECIDED TO LOOK AROUND AND SEARCH FOR WHERE THE GASOLINE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I DISCOVERED THAT THE CAR HAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM ON TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT. THERE WAS A POOL OF GASOLINE ONTOP OF THE SENDING UNIT RIGHT NEXT TO ELECTRICAL WIRES. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM BENEATH THE CAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT MERCEDES BENZ DID A RECALL WHICH WAS 2008-020001. THIS RECALL WAS FOR SENDING UNITS THAT LEAKED ON ALL 03-06 211 & 219 AMG MODELS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MERCEDES BENZ WOULD NOT RECALL THE NON AMG VEHICLES, AS THEY TOO DEVELOP THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $3100 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD FIX THE. *TR...UPDATED 09-18-13 *BF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED IT DID NOT NEED TOO BE REPLACED BUT WAS REPLACED ANYWAY UNBEKNOWNST TO THE CONSUMER.*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WAS EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUMES FROM THE FUEL TANK WERE ENTERING THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, IN WHICH BOTH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. UPDATED 1/30/13 *CN

STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR SITTING FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME WHILE ON OR OFF, REGARDLESS OF FUEL LEVEL. *TR

ON 11/20/12, I FILLED UP MY CAR AND GOT A CAR WASH. THE CAR WASH ATTENDANT ASKED IF I HAD SPILLED A CAN OF GAS OR WAS TRANSPORTING A CAN OF GAS IN MY CAR. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS COMING FROM MY CAR. MY CAR WAS WET, SO I COULD NOT DIFFERENTIATE WATER FROM GAS ON THE OUTSIDE. I STARTED DRIVING HOME WHEN I REALIZED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM INSIDE MY CAR. MY CHILD WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME. WE WERE ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME. I KEPT THE WINDOWS OPEN. I PARKED MY CAR AND PUT CARDBOARD BENEATH IT TRYING TO FIND THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL LEAK/ODOR. I WENT INSIDE TO FIND A DIAGRAM OF THE GAS TANK LOCATION WHEN I REALIZED THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH MY MERCEDES. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR MERCEDES. THERE WERE SEVERAL INTERNET FORUMS RELATED TO LEAKING FUEL TANKS IN THEIR MERCEDES. I LATER LEARNED THAT GAS WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF MY CAR UNDER MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT WITH A CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING MOMENT FOR ME AS A MOTHER. I SHOULD HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED, BUT I DID NOT REALIZED HOW UNSAFE THE SITUATION WAS UNTIL I ARRIVED HOME. I TRIED CONTACTING MY LOCAL AND CORPORATE MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL. THERE WAS NOT. THEY ASKED ME TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THEIR DEALERSHIP. I LOST ALL CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IN MERCEDES AFTER MY PHONE CONVERSATIONS. I BOUGHT A MERCEDES BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION FOR CARING ABOUT SAFETY. THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AND FIXED THE CAR WROTE "REMOVED AND

I HAVE APPR. 64,0000 MILES ON MY MERCEDES E350 AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SENT IT TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND SAID THAT THE CAR HAD A BALANCE SHAFT PROBLEM. SOLD ME THE CAR IN 2008. SERVICE BULLETINS WERE OUT SINCE 2007. MERCEDES WILL ONLY HELP MINIMALLY WITH THE COST. TOTAL COST SO FAR IS $3750.00. TO MUCH FOR ME. TOLD MERCEDES THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND IN A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WITH MY FAMILY AND ASKED THE REP. IF THAT WAS SAFE, HE REPLIED "NO". REP. SAID THAT THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO GET DONE BEFORE CASUALTIES OCCUR. *TR

FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD HEAR THAT THE ENGINE DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT, IT WAS REVVING AT A HIGHER RPM THAN NORMAL. I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AND IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS EVERY TIME I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THEN ONLY HAD 3RD. GEAR AVAILABLE. NOTHING ELSE. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT'S CALLED "LIMP MODE" IT WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 40MPH AND NOTHING ELSE WORKED, JUST 3RD. GEAR AND REVERSE. AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I LEARNED THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MOST 7-SPEEDS AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING OR HAD THIS ISSUE IS APPALLING. APPARENTLY MERCEDES KNEW OF THIS MATTER ALL ALONG AND DID NOTHING. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND I HAVE TO PAY $1,600 TO HAVE THE CONDUCTOR PLATE AND VALVE BODY FIXED. I'M A SINGLE MOM, SELF EMPLOYED, BUT STILL A SINGLE MOM. THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND MERCEDES SHOULD BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO REMEDY THIS. "*TR

I HAD SO MANY PROBLEM WITH MY MERCEDES E350, BUT WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I COULDN'T BELIEVE WAS THE BALANCE SHAFT. IT WAS IN WARRANTY SO I DIDN'T PAY A CENT BUT WHEN THEY RETURNED THE CAR BACK WAS NOT THE SAME ANY MORE, THE TAIL LIGHT WAS CRACKED AND THE A/C OPENING ARE INSIDE. THE CAR IS NOT ANY MORE THE SAME, SOMETIMES IS SHAKING, AND HAS SO MANY OTHER PROBLEMS. I SAW ONLINE THAT MERCEDES HAS TO MANY CARS WITH THIS DEFECTS THAT BRINGS MORE PROBLEMS, SO I'M ASKING WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR A RECALL?????? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR BEING EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK SEAM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE HANDLING THE REPAIR COSTS HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD HANDLE THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

FUEL TANK LEAKING FUEL AT VENT HOSE IN TOP OF TANK. THE COMPLETE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER SAFETY COMPLAINT ODI NUMBER 10476789 WAS FILED OUTLINING ANOTHER SEVERE GAS TANK LEAK. I FOLLOWED THE SERVICING DEALER'S INSTRUCTION FOR ELIMINATING GAS SMELL FROM THE VEHICLE BY LEAVING WINDOWS OPEN WHILE VEHICLE WAS GARAGED AND DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN FOLLOWING MY OWN INSTINCTS FOR SURVIVAL. HOWEVER, THE GAS SMELL DID NOT DISSIPATE. I CONTINUED TO SMELL GAS WHEN I WOULD APPROACH THE VEHICLE; AND THE GAS ODOR WOULD GET STRONGER THE LONGER THE VEHICLE SAT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE 2ND LEAK WAS DISCOVERED, PROMPTING THEM TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK. THE SEVERE FUMES HAVE CREATED ALLERGY AND SINUS IRRITATION ISSUES FOR ME; AND A PHOBIA OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN CIGARETTES ARE THROWN FROM VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I AM SO AFRAID THAT MY VEHICLE WILL EXPLODE WITH ME INSIDE OF IT...JUST IMAGINE! *TR

CAR SMELLS OF GAS. I READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE 2006 E CLASS, WITH THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR HAS BECOME STEADILY WORSE AND WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I INQUIRED HOW THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED, I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE DUE TO IMPACT OR TRAUMA (WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY INCIDENT). WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,300.00 TO REPAIR VEHICLE. CALLED MB-USA AND ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE. WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST. AS THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE, I HAD THE WORK PERFORMED AND RECEIVED A 10% "GOODWILL" DISCOUNT. PICKED UP VEHICLE AND DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE AND CONTINUED TO SMELL FUEL. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAME TO PICK-UP. ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY DID NOT TIGHTEN A CLAMP OR SOMETHING. WE PICKED IT UP AGAIN AND THE ODOR WAS PERSISTENT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AND WE SUBSEQUENTLY TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. BOTTOM LINE.... I DO NOT THINK THAT A FUEL TANK SHOULD FAIL ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. I HAVE THE OLD TANK AND BELIEVE THAT MB SHOULD REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE TANK. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE MOSTLY OUTSIDE THE CAR WHENEVER I FILL THE GAS TANK. I NEVER OVERFILL. THE SMELL EXISTS EVEN WHEN I DON'T FILL TO THE VERY TOP. THE GARAGE HAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHENEVER I FILL THE CAR WITH GAS AND PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I AM AFRAID THE GASOLINE FUMES MAY IGNITE AND BLOW-UP MY HOUSE. *TR

HEAVY GAS SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE. FUEL LEAKING FROM DEFECTIVE ELBOW HOSE CONNECTION ALLOWING GAS TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE BACK SEAT INSULATION AND FUEL COVER; FUEL TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE BY WAY OF DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE ALONG THE EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING. *TR

CAR HAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON, DIAGNOSED TO HAVE BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT THAT HAPPENS TO MANY CARS WITH THIS ENGINE. MERCEDES WAS AWARE SINCE 2007, BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, ONLY OFFERS TO GIVE 'FREE' PARTS. DEALER SAYS WOULD COST $4500 TO $6000 FOR LABOR TO FIX. MERCEDES SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2006 MERCEDES BENZ MODEL E350. STRONG FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM REAR AREA (TRUNK) OF VEHICLE ON THE OUTSIDE. CAR WOULD NOT START AND TOWED BY AAA TO MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP/CAR REPAIR. AAA TOW DRIVER STATED THAT THE ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS SO STRONG HE WAS TEMPTED IN CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED US AT FIRST THAT CAR WAS FULL OF WATER. ORIGINALLY THE MECHANIC CLAIMED HE FOUND A POOL OF WATER INSIDE THE CAR'S TRUNK. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE TECHNICIAN OF OUR COMPLAINT OF A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE FOUND A HEAVY POOL OF FUEL IN THE TRUNK AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE FUEL LEAK. THEY CHANGED THE GASOLINE TANK AND FUEL PUMP BUT WERE UNCERTAIN OF THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR ONE WEEK. MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FUEL LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT AND NOT BY WEAR AND TEAR OF THE PARTS AND WE WERE CHARGED FOR ALL THE REPAIRS. WE ARE AWARE THAT SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR THE SAME MERCEDES BENZ MODEL IN OTHER STATES. WE FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED URGENTLY BEFORE SOMEONE EITHER GETS HURT OR LOSES THEIR LIFE. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE VAPORS INSIDE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE PARKED. GOT HEADACHE WHILE DRIVING FROM FUMES. FIRST NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE WHEN I ENTERED MY GARAGE. THEN I NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING NEAR REAR DRIVER WHEEL. TOWED CAR TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. SEEMS TO ME THAT GASOLINE VAPORS IN MY GARAGE OR INSIDE THE CABIN ARE A HEALTH HAZARD AND POTENTIAL FOR EXPLOSION. *TR

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. SMELL FUEL AFTER FILLING TANK. SMELL NOTICEABLE OUTSIDE CAR. SMELL WOULD GO AWAY WHEN FUEL LEVEL DROPS. 6/22/12, DURING NORMAL MAINTENANCE VISIT AT DEALER, I MENTIONED FUEL SMELL. THEY FOUND FUEL SMELL COMING FROM A LEAKING FUEL PUMP O-RING SEAL. THEY REPLACED THE O-RING ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. I FILLED THE TANK 5 DAYS LATER. SMELLED FUEL AGAIN. I REMOVED THE BACK SEAT AND OPENED THE FUEL PUMP ACCESS PORT. THE WELL AROUND THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING WAS FULL OF FUEL. 7/5/12, RETURNED CAR TO DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE TANK WAS "WARPED" AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LEAK SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED, BUT FUEL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE INSULATION UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR NOW REEKS OF GASOLINE, ALMOST TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE DUE TO SMELL. *TR

MY E350 IS 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 77000 MILES. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE SIGNAL LIGHTS HAS DISINTEGRATED EXPOSING BARE WIRES AND CAUSING WIRES TO SHORT-CIRCUIT CREATING AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION THAT PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THIS IS CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WITH POSSIBLE FIRE IN ENGINE AREA.THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MERCEDES BENZ TELLS ME THAT BECAUSE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH IS ABOUT $1000.00 DOLLARS.THE WIRE INSULATION SHOULD LAST A VERY LONG TIME IF CAR IS PROPERLY DESIGNED AND THIS WIRING PROBLEM SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURE WITH NO COST TO THE CAR OWNERS. DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS PROBLEM I RECOMMEND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION TO ORDER MERCEDES BENZ TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS WIDESPREAD DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO ORDER A RECALL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

EVERYTIME I FILL THE CAR UP WITH GAS I SMELL A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE REAR SEAT DRIVERSIDE. *TT

FUEL VAPOR LEEK AROUND THE FUEL TANK. IF TANK IS FILLED BEYOND 3/4 A STRONG ODOR OF GAS PERMEATES THE CABIN AS WELL AS THE IMMEDIATE AREA SURROUNDING THE CAR. CAN NOT KEEP IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE FOR FEAR OF EXPLOSION. *JS

FUEL LEAKING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE BACK TIRE AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. THE ISSUE STARTED BACK IN JULY 2008 AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY BEEN GETTING WORSE. *TT . UPDATED 11/29/12 *BF UPDATE 11/29/12 UPDATED 12/3/2012 *JS

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CAR....FUEL SENDING UNIT UNDER REAR SEAT POOLING WITH GASOLINE......OCCURS AT FILLUP AND SMELL REDUCES AS TANK EMPTIES..... *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 40,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY AROUND 48,000, I HARDLY USE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SMELL AND SAFETY CONCERN. MERCEDES SHOULD RECALL THIS DEFECTS FOR EPA, SAFETY AND HEALTH CONCERNS BEFORE ANY INCIDENCE AND RESULTING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR

WHENEVER GAS TANK IS FILLED, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL PERSIST AROUND CAR UNTIL FUEL LEVEL DROPS TO 3/4 LEVEL. IF CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE, ENTIRE GARAGE HAS EXTREMELY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DEALER ADVISED THAT FUEL TANK HAS A LEAK WITH NO SAFETY RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND AFTER SEARCHING INTERNET I FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF USERS HAVE REPORTED EXACT SAME ISSUE. MERCEDES SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE FOR FREE. *TR

BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE. AT 57,700 MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODES 1200/1207 ALSO KNOWN AS P0016 AND P0017. THE BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET IS EXCESSIVELY WORN DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT KNOWN BY MERCEDES BENZ USA TO BE DUE TO POORLY HARDENED METAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS PART. MAY CAUSE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER. MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN CORRECTING THE DEFECT. *TR

I FILLED MY GAS TANK AND PARKED IN GARAGE WHEN I RETURNED TO DRIVE VEHICLE I SMELLED GAS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAD A LEAK THAT COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP SO I HAD THE PUMP REPLACED THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY BELIEVED BASED ON THE NUMBER OF REPLACEMENTS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE THAT THIS WOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BALANCE SHAFT GEAR, EXHAUST CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING. COST TO REPAIR IS $7000. WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STARTED TO INVESTIGATE ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES E350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE THE DRIVER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE GRINDING NOISE WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN MAKING TURNS AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE FLUSHED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS FLUSHED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350 CANNOT OPEN THE TRUNNK REMOTELY OR WITH THE LEVER ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, BOTH LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND THIRD BRAKE LIGHT NOT WORKING. *TR

STRONG GASOLINE ODOR ON FILL UP. PUMP AND SENDING UNIT SEALS REPLACED (MB DEALER DIAGNOSTIC). TANK FAILS PRESSURE TEST. TANK HAS LOST INTEGRITY DUE TO AN AS YET INSPECTED CRACK ON UPPER PORTION (INDEPENDENT MECHANIC). *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LIGHT INDICATING CHECK OIL LEVEL AT NEXT REFUELING. HAD VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY EXAMINED BY MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. ENGINE OIL LEVEL OKAY. NO CODES CAME UP FOR OIL SENSOR. CAR HAS 66,239 MILES. WAS TOLD BY MBZ DEALER THAT BALANCE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACEMENT DUE TO SPROCKET FAILURE (COMING APART); GEAR IS WORN. NEEDS $6,200 OF REPAIR. CALLED MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA WHO SAID THAT TO DATE, NO RECALLS OR CAMPAIGNS HAVE BEEN INITIATED FOR THIS COMPLAINT. CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MBZ SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE USING MBZ SYNTHETIC OIL AND MBZ PARTS, IF AND WHEN NECESSARY. THE INTERNET IS REPLETE WITH COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME TYPE FROM ALL OVER U.S. AND CANADA. *TR

MERCEDES E350 2006, HAS BAD ODOR OF GAS. I NOTICED AFTER FILLING UP GAS, AND PARKED MY CAR IN GARAGE IN THE MORNING MY WHOLE GARAGE HAD A SMELL OF GAS. I LOOKED AROUND UNDERNEATH AND EVERY WHERE INSIDE OUTSIDE I DON'T SEE ANY LEAK OF GAS. I CAN JUST SMELL GAS FUMES... I HAVE CALLED MERCEDES DEALER HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING BACK AND I RESEARCH WEB AND FOUND SO MANY OTHER CARS OF MERCEDES HAVE THIS PROBLEM.. I HOPE THIS CAN BE RECALL AND FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A BEEP SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BY INCREASING THE BRAKE DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES WHERE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED RECALL 04V296000 SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE BATTERY WAS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CHECK ENGINE CAME ON I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY BALANCE SHAFT GEAR AND I RECEIVED A $5000 (FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, HE TRIED TO REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT EXHAUST BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON, HE THEN DETERMINED THE SAME PROBLEM FAULTY BALANCE SHAFT GEAR... MY CAR IS ONLY 74000 MILES NOW, SO MUCH FOR A MERCEDES BENZ CAR UNDER 100,000 MILES..HOPE THIS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE MB DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A BALANCE SENSOR LOCATED INSIDE THE ENGINE AND IT COST $7000.00 TO FIX CAUSE THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT, MY CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR MB CARS AS WELL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR BENZ AND THERFORE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME RECALL ON IT BY NOW. *TR

MERCEDES BENZ KNOWS ABOUT THE SBC UNIT WEARING OUT THE BRAKES PREMATURELY YET HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THERE HAS BEEN A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE BRAKES ALSO, BUT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PREMATURE WEAR. THIS HAS TO DO WITH FIXING A BUG IN THE SOFTWARE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO COME ON AND FOR YOU TO BRING IN FOR SERVICE. PROBLEM IS THEY ARE CHARGING CONSUMERS FOR THIS BUG FIX. I HAD TO PAY $120. MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 127,000. BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED GOING ON 5 TIMES ALREADY. *KB

STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN TANK IS FILLED UP. ODOR PERSISTS UNTIL BELOW 3/4. *TR

FAULTY BALANCE SHIFT AND IDLE GEAR. REPLACED MANY COMPONENTS TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE ONLY TO FIND A STAR BULLETIN WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE FIX. ORIGINAL FOUND WHILE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTED AND TECHNICIAN FAILED TO FIX. NOW THAT CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL INCUR A 6K FIX ON WHAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE OR SUBSTANDARD PARTS (BALANCE SHAFT SPROCKET AND THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE WHEEL(IDLER)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MERCEDES E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER, JERK AND LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY WHEN TRAVELING OVER 28 MPH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.