2003 Mercedes Benz E500 complaints

MY 2003 MB E500 SPORT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION. WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR SUSPENSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND DROPPED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FRAME 2 INCHES FROM THE ASPHALT. MY SMALL CHILD WAS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND WOULD HAVE BOUNCED UP TO THE CEILING IF HE HAD NOT BEEN SECURED IN HIS CARSEAT. THE CAR IS NOT OPERATIONAL AT THIS TIME AND REPAIR ESTIMATES EXCEED $3,000.00. *TR

AS I WERE DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD, SUDDENLY A WARNING RED LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH FLASHING THE BRAKE SIGN. SOON AFTER A MESSAGE STARTED TO FLASH WARNING ME TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. AS I WERE PROCEEDING TO PULL TO A SAFE PLACE, I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND FOUND TO MY SURPRISE THAT I HAD PRESSED ON A SOFT PEDAL. LUCKY I HAD KEPT MY KOOL, AND MANAGED TO PULL OVER ON A SIDE STREET AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP. *TR

I HAD REFUELED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE PRESENCE OF GAS FUMES WHEN I PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I ALWAYS USE THE AUTO SHUTOFF AT THE PUMP SO THERE WAS NO CONCERN FOR ME TO "TOP OFF" SOMETHING I NEVER DO. I NOTICE THAT IF I FILLED MY TANK CLOSER TO THE 3/4 OR BELOW LEVEL IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AS THE EPS BRAKE DEFECTIVE WARNING MESSAGE FLASHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT DECELERATED AND HALTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SBC PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SOFTWARE INSTALLED IN THE PAST THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVING IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS WHEN THE EPS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

WHEN THE TANK IS FULL IT HAS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE AND AROUND THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, ALSO MISFIRE DURING THESE FEW DAYS. I'M AFRAID THIS MIGHT CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MERCEDES-BENZ ASAP REGARDING THIS POSSIBLE DANGEROUS ISSUE, ANY HELP TO CORRECT THIS MATTER WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR

THE CAR WHEN WE HAVE FULL TANK GIVES A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS, UNTIL COUPLE OF DAYS, ALSO WHEN GING SLOWLY THERE IS A MISFIRE ON THE ENGINE. READING ON THE FORUM SAYS THIS IS A KNOW INCIDENT WITH MERCEDEZ. I AM AFRAID THIS MIGHT CAUSE FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO DEALERSHIP ON THIS, ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CRACK AROUND FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE. CONSTANT STRONG ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE CAR. FILLS THE GARAGE WITH GAS ODOR AND INTO HOUSE. WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE GAS CAN STILL BE SMELLED. UNSAFE WHETHER PARKED, OR BEING DRIVEN. *TR

GAS SMELL WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. GAS LEAK FROM FUEL TANK. *TR

FUEL LEAKS AND FUEL FUMES IN CABIN. *TR

AFTER REFUELING MY E500 (FILLING IT UP), DRIVING IT HOME AND PARKING IT IN THE GARAGE, SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR IN MY HOME. I HAVE AN ATTACHED GARAGE WHICH UNFORTUNATELY HAS A PIECE OF DOOR FACING MISSING FROM THE SIDE ENTRY DOOR, WHICH IS HOW THE FUMES FLOWED INTO MY ATTIC AND THROUGH THE AC VENTS THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE HOME. THE FUMES WERE SO INTENSE I EXPERIENCED CHRONIC COUGHING, HEADACHE, AND ITCHING AROUND MY EYELIDS. THE LOCAL GAS COMPANY CAME OUT AND PERFORMED THEIR NORMAL ROUTINE ONLY TO INFORM ME IT WASN'T NATURAL GAS NOR CARBON-MONOXIDE. AS HE CHECKED THE HOT WATER HEATER LOCATED IN THE GARAGE, HE IMMEDIATELY STATED IT WAS MY CAR. I COULD SMELL GASOLINE FUMES AROUND MY CAR AS WELL AS INSIDE. IT WAS SO STRONG, I LEFT MY CAR OUTSIDE THE GARAGE OVER NIGHT, RAISED THE GARAGE DOOR (BOTH DOORS), OPENED ALL WINDOWS IN MY HOME AND SHORTLY THE FUMES HAD DISSIPATED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO MB CORPORATE CUSTOMER CARE AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT ASSISTANCE THEY WILL OFFER ME AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT FOR THE BENEFIT OF OWNERS WHO STILL HAVE WARRANTY VEHICLES, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE REPAIR BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OWNER. I AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSIS. IT IS MY HOPE MB WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE BRAKS FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED IN PARK INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT VISIBLE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THE HYDRAULIC PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 66,000.

CAR SMELLS OF GASOLINE IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. YOU CAN SMELL IT OUTSIDE OF THE CAR ALSO. AFTER READING THE MESSAGE BOARDS ON THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS LIKE MB SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE AT NO COST TO OWNERS. *TR

I SMELL GAS INSIDE MY VEHICLE WHEN I FILL UP MY GAS TANK AND IT SMELLS REALLY STRONG IN THE CAR , I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS IN FACT A LEAK I HAD PAY FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSIS IT AND THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS LEAKING A LITTLE INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AND THAT I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT . *TR

DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I CONSISTENTLY SMELL GAS LEAK FROM MY CAR. [XXX] 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TT

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 AFTER FILLING VEHICLE GAS TANK, VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. FUEL IS LEAKING AROUND SENDING UNIT AT GAS TANK, AND AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. DUE TO THE LEAK, VEHICLE CANNOT BE KEPT IN THE GARAGE UNTIL FUEL LEVEL REACHES 3/4 TANK. ALSO, THE SMELL IS SO BAD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AFTER FILL UP, IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

TODAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, A RED BRAKE FAILURE WARNING...FLASHES ACROSS THE SCREEN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP!!! I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT FREEWAY SPEED AND THANKFULLY ON A LEVEL SECTION OF ROAD. THE BRAKE PEDAL JUST FLOPPED..NOTHING.. I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PARK AND GET OUT WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING!!! THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ( SEE NHTSA #05V-133 ) HOWEVER MERCEDES BENZ IS LIMITING IT TO 10 YEARS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE BRAKES CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME AND THERE SHOULD NOT BE A CUTOFF DATE. MB REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO OWNERS WITH VEHICLES OUTSIDE THE TEN YEAR PERIOD EVEN THOUGHT THEY ARE AWARE IT IS STILL A PROBLEM. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN CABIN OF VEHICLE AND OUTSIDE ON DRIVERS SIDE AFTER FILLING UP THE NIGHT PRIOR. THE CAR WAS NOT "TOPPED OFF". ONLINE SEARCH FOR CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM FOUND THIS IS COMMON AMONG W211 MERCEDES VEHICLES. THIS CAR IS NEW TO ME, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I FUELED THE CAR. *TR

I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES E500. 100, 000 MILES AND I CAN SMELL HEAVY GAS FUMES FROM BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF MY CAR.THE CARS REARLEFT DRIVERSIDE HAS EXTREME GAS VAPOR FUMES COMING FROM FUELTANK AREA BEHIND RIGHT REAR WHEEL. SINCE I'VE NOTICED THE HEAVY FUEL ODORS, THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED BECAUSE ITS UNSAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS. INHALING THE FUEL SMELL IS DANGEROUS ENOUGH. I'M INTERESTED IN KNOWING IF FILING A COMPLAINT OR CLAIM IS POSSIBLE AND I ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS OR CAN THE MERCEDES DEALER HELP WITH OPTIONS TO FIX MY CAR? ANY POSITIVE ANSWERS WILL BE APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2012. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CANISTER REPLACED IN THE VEHICLE ($1000), AND AFTER THAT REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL VAPOR VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE BROUGHT IT INTO MERCEDES WHEN THEY REPLACED THE SBC BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO A RECALL AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FUEL VAPOR VALVE WASN'T AFFECTING ANYTHING, SO WE DIDN'T NEED TO REPAIR IT. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE FOR A SMOG CHECK SO WE COULD RENEW OUR REGISTRATION IN JULY OF 2013 AND IT FAILED DUE TO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO THE FUEL VAPOR VALVE BEING OPEN. WE CANNOT GET THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF, SO WE CANNOT PASS A SMOG CHECK. WE ALSO CANNOT FILL IT UP ALL THE WAY BECAUSE STRONG FUMES FILL UP THE GARAGE AND GAS LEAKS OUT. WE WERE LOOKING UP AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY ON GOOGLE ON 11/10/2013 AND COME ACROSS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH MERCEDES BENZ ABOUT THIS ISSUE. WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEM THAT THEY WERE HAVING WITH THIS CAR. WE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE SO WE WILL FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THERE WAS A WARNING MESSAGE THAT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ADVISING THE CONTACT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE REFUELED, HE COULD SMELL STRONG GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 09/17/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER OFFERED A 15% DISCOUNT. UPDATED 09/20/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,138.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED WITHIN THE BRAKE CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT AROUND 30 MPH ,WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DASHBOARD TURNED RED . I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN . FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A MEIJER SHOPPING CENTER WITHOUT HITTING ANY ONE OR ANYTHING. I KEPT DRIVING IN CIRCLE TILL THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH FOR ME TO PUT IN PARK GEAR. IT WAS NOT FOR THE EMPTY PARKING LOT I WOULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR HURT SOMEONE OR BOTH. THE CAR HAD SIMILAR FAILURE FEW MONTHS AGO.THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACED THE FAILED PART AT NO COST TO ME .I AM SHOCKED TO FIND OUT IT FAILED AGAIN. THIS MATTER HAS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

FRONT AND REAR END SUSPENSION ARE DOWN TO THE GROUND ,,AND A ERROR CODE ON DASH: STOP CAR TO LOW, CAR IS NOT DRIVE-ABLEA. *TR

VEHICLE IS PARKED, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ESPECIALLY IF THE GAS TANK IS AT LEAST 3/4 QUARTER FILLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR ...UPDATED 07-29-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LEAK WAS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER UNIT.

EXTREMELY STRONG GAS FUMES WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED WITH FUEL. *TR

FUEL FUMES WERE DETECTED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AT AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ REPAIR FACILITY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FUEL POOLING ON TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER WITH INTEGRATED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DEFECTIVE PART NUMBER IS 3114704094 AND HAS SINCE BEEN SUPERSEDED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY. THE AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS TO SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT RESULTED IN MERCEDES BENZ VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN #2008-020001. VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL WERE MODEL YEAR 2003-2006 E CLASS AND 2006 CLS-CLASS VEHICLES. AFTER CONTACTING MERCEDES BENZ CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY STATED THE RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO THE AMG VERSION OF E CLASS VEHICLES AND MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ON MARCH 19TH, A USA TODAY ARTICLE REPORTED THAT NHTSA WAS EXPANDING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MERCEDES BENZ FIX TO THE RECALL PROBLEM BEYOND THE AMG VERSION OF E CLASS VEHICLES. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTED THE AMG VERSIONS BUT MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT. I'D LIKE THIS COMPLAINT BE INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION OF E CLASS VEHICLES BEING REINVESTIGATION BY NHTSA WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL FILTER WITH INTEGRATED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE AND SEIZED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ABS ANTILOCK SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM A FRACTURE AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

FUEL TANK LEAK WHEN FULL. *TR

THE CAR HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE CAUSE FOR THAT WAS A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT YET THE DEALER HAS NO INTEREST IN REPAIRING THE ISSUE UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. SEEMS AN ISSUE AS SERIOUS AS A DEFECTIVE GAS TANK WOULD BE COVERED. *TR

BACK IN JULY OF 2012 MY CAR STARTED TO GET SLUGGISH , MISSING AND JERKING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM, THEN AFTER TALKING WITH THEM THEY SAID YES THEY COULD FEEL IT THEN TOLD ME IT WAS SUSPENSION ALMOST 5K TO REPAIR , SO I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND TO FIND OUT THIS CAR HAD TRANS PROBLEMS WHERE THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANS , (A PROBLEM THEY KNOW ABOUT) SO I CALLED MY SERVICE ADVISER TO DISCUS THE PROBLEM TO HEAR THEM SAY OH YEAH ITS A PROBLEM , REALLY? YOU WERE JUST GONNA CHARGE ME 5K TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WASN'T A PROBLEM NOW ITS THE TRANS REALLY, WELL IT TURNS OUT IT WILL COST 10K PLUS TO FIX THIS AND BENZ USA WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS OR THE DEALER FIRST YOU CANT TRUST ANY DEALER THEY WILL TRY TO RIP YOU OFF ALSO THE DEALER OR BENZ USA SHOULD BE FIXING THIS PROBLEM ITS A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING THEN WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED AND THEY WANT TO MAKE YOU PAY BIG DOLLARS THAT IS A BENZ PROBLEM NOT THE CONSUMER , WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THESE GUYS FIX THIS / THESE CARS?? PLEASE HELP *TR

VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR AT DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK. NO LEAKING FUEL DETECTED. ODOR SO STRONG THAT I AM NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

CONSTANT FUEL SMELL FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. WORSE AFTER FILLUP. GOES AWAY AFTER 1/2 TANK AND A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING. FILLS THE GARAGE WITH FUEL ODOR. *TR

AS REPORTED BY MANY MERCEDES OWNERS, OUR MERCEDES E500 HAS BEGUN THE DREADED LEAKING FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT. UPON LIFTING THE BACKSEAT AND TANK COVERS GAS IS POOLING AND LEAKING ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND FROM THESE ASSEMBLIES. THESE PART APPEARS DEFECTIVE AND NOT SUITED TO BE OVERLOOKED BY NTSB. UNFORTUNATELY MY DEALER STATED THERE IS NOT A FORMAL RECALL YET ON THESE PARTS, BUT HAS HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM MANY TIMES. WHAT DOES CONCERN ME IS THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE E55 MODEL, BUT IN DOING THE RESEARCH JUST AS MANY E500 OWNERS OUT THERE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE GIVE THIS HIGH CONSIDERATION FOR A RECALL OR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE WELL BEING OF OWNERS AND DRIVERS IS NOT WORTH THE RISK AND FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM A RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT ADVISED TO CHECK THE FILLER CAP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER CAP WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO NOTICE THE STRONG FUEL SMELL IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS 2003 MB E500 WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STUTTER AND SHAKE @ AROUND 1500 RPM, THIS OCCURRED CONTINUALLY. MADE IT HOME AND GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE DUE TO A LEAK IN THE COOLANT SYSTEM THAT SOMEHOW GETS INTO THE TRANSMISSION,CAUSING IT TO BECOME CONTAMINATED WHICH PRODUCES THIS FIERCE/POTENTIAL DANGEROUS STUTTER/JERKING. TO MY SURPRISE, MERCEDES BENZ IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS HAZARD AND HAS NOT HAD A RECALL/BULLETIN TO FIX THIS COMMON PROBLEM, LEAVING THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR COST ON THE CONSUMER. THE VEHICLE COST IS EXPENSIVE ENOUGH AND TO HAVE TO MAKE THIS COSTLY REPAIR IS UNFAIR. *TR

REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING FUEL RESULTING IN FUEL POOL ON TOP OF FUEL TANK AND UNDER REAR SEAT DRIVERS SIDE. STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WITH BUILT UP OF FUEL VAPORS CAUSING EYE NOSE AND THROAT IRRITATION-ESPECIALLY STRONG SMELL AND VAPOR BUILT UP WHEN FUEL TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL. FULL SPLASHING ON TOP OF TANK AND NEARBY AREA DRIPPING TO FLOOR-FIRE AND EXPLOSIVE HAZARD, CONDITION HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. *JS

REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001. THE SEAL ON MY FUEL SENDING UNIT BEGAN LEAKING. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS IS A NON-STRESSED ITEM. THE SEAL THAT ISOLATES FUEL IN THE TANK FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT HAS FAILED. GASOLINE LEAKS AROUND THE SENDING UNIT SEAL AROUND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS CONNECTED TO THE SENDING UNIT. THIS LEAK ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SEAL WITH NO INPUT OR OUTSIDE ACTION. AFTER FUELING, A FUEL SMELL AND FUMES CAN BE SMELT IN THE CABIN. WHEN THE ACCESS PANEL IS OPENED BELOW THE REAR SEAT, POOLING FUEL CAN BE SEEN. THIS FUEL HAS DIRECT ACCESS TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *JS

AFTER FILLING UP GAS TANK GAS STARTED TO DRIP FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE FLOOR. *TT

SRS LIGHT INDICATES MALFUNCTION. LIGHT COMES AND GOES AND APPEARS TO BE RANDOM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,683. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. UPDATED 06/01/12

I HAVE AN 03 MERCEDES E500. AT ABOUT 65000 ML I HAD GLYCOL IN MY TRANSMISSION DUE TO RADIATOR FAILURE. I TOOK IT TO MERCEDES SARASOTA AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST $5000 AND THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS READING THE MERCEDES WORLD FORUM AND I SEE THAT LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. AT THE AND COST ME $3000 AT AAMCO. I HOPE MERCEDES WILL ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERY TIME I FILL UP AND UNTIL I DRIVE ABOUT 50 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY A GERMAN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT IT IS A CRACKED GAS TANK AND THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES E-CLASS MODELS FROM 2003-2005. THE SMELL APPEARS TO BE EMANATING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN EUROPE AND ASIA BUT THAT MERCEDES NEVER ISSUED A RECALL IN THE US FOR THIS ISSUE DESPITE BEING EXTREMELY PERVASIVE. I DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN THIS CAR AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE REPAIR PRICE I WAS QUOTED WAS ABOUT $2400. THIS SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A MERCEDES PROBLEM, NOT A CONSUMER PROBLEM. NOBODY SHOULD EXPECT THEIR GAS TANK TO CRACK AT ANY POINT! *TR

AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE HIGHWAY FROM ANOTHER HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40MPH, I HAD TO SPEED UP BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC THAT WAS COMING TOWARDS ME AND ALSO TO BLEND IN WITH THE REST OF THE CARS SPEEDS. I WENT TO ACCELERATE, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. LET OFF THE GAS, AND THEN PUNCHED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY, BUT STILL NO SIGN OF ACCELERATION. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND ABOUT 3 SECONDS LATER, THE CAR BEGAN SLOWLY TO SPEED UP...ONE MPH AT A TIME. IT TOOK SOME TIME TO MAKE IT SO 65MPH. AFTER REACHING THAT SPEED, I TRIED SOME TROUBLESHOOTING. I LET OFF GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY AND STEPPED BACK ON IT. THAT DIDN'T HELP. I ALSO TRIED USING MY SHIFTRONIC, AND THAT DIDN'T HELP. I TOOK THE NEXT OFF RAMP AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WENT INTO PARK AND RIGHT BACK INTO "D". I STILL HAD THE ACCELERATING PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY IT WENT AWAY WAS TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON. IT CURRENTLY WORKS WELL WITHOUT ANY SIGNS OF A PROBLEM. I DID NOT RECEIVE A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD NOR DID I RECEIVE AN ERROR CODE. *TR

BOTH FRONT AND REAR AIR SHOCKS WENT WITHIN 2000 MILES OF EACH OTHER 64000 AND 66000 MILES. THESE SHOCKS ARE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THEY WERE NOT ENGINEERED PROPERLY OR THEY SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. MERCEDES WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT..

IN JUNE OF 2010 I PURCHASED A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CAR AT TIMES WOULD SHIFT HEAVY AND AT TIMES WOULD SHIFT DOWN SUDDENLY OR ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AND DRAMATICALLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESS LIGHTLY FROM A STOP. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT TIME AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE NOW IN THE WINTER MONTHS. I KNOW THE CAR IS A POTENTIAL DANGER BUT HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE BUT TO DRIVE IT. PLEASE HELP! *TR