Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →
SUFFOCATING OIL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE AUTOMOBILE. PREGNANT WIFE BECAME NAUSEOUS AND HAD TO OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF. PASSENGER FRONT SUSPENSION HAS LIQUID SPLATTERING ON UNDERNEATH OF ENGINE HOOD. SUSPENSION MAKES EXTREME LOUD KNOCKING SOUND WHEN GOING UP HILL OR OVER A BUMP.
THE MERCEDES MODEL E CLASS FROM 2003-2008 HAVE A DEFECTIVE SBC UNIT WHICH CONTROL THE BRAKES ON THE CAR, THIS UNIT IS PRONE TO FAIL AT ANYTIME TIME WITHOUT WARNING, I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, I WILL BE SHOCKED IF THIS HASN'T CAUSED A FATALITY, MERCEDES IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ISSUED A 10 YEAR WARRANTY TO FIX THIS, BUT IF THE UNIT FAILS AFTER THE 10 YEARS THEY WILL CHARGE YOU OVER $2500 TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT THEY MANUFACTURED DEFECTIVE, WHICH IS INSANE. THIS IS A REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, I GUESS TO THEM, A LIFE IS ONLY IMPORTANT FOR 10 YEARS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST (OR MORE LIVES ARE LOST) BECAUSE OF THIS LUDICROUS ERROR ON THE PART OF MERCEDES.
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO A STOP. TWICE IT OCCURRED AS THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND ONCE IT HAPPENED AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN OFF-RAMP, EXITING I-95. ON THE FIRST TWO OCCASIONS, AT THE STOPLIGHTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, ON THE OFF-RAMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART UNTIL IT WAS ALLOWED TO COOL FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS ON THE OFF-RAMP. AFTER THE THIRD OCCASION, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE "CRANK POSITION SENSOR" WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN AT ANY TIME WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION IS A SAFETY HAZARD. OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT IT CAN HAPPEN AND SHOULD BE URGED TO GET IT CHECKED.
POSSIBLE GAS LEAK... STRONG GAS SMELL ON EACH FUEL UP. STAYS AROUND UNTIL TANK DROPS TO ABOUT HALF FULL. NO OTHER SIGNALS AND MERCEDES BENZ HAD ME REPLACE THE GAS CAP. NOTHING CHANGED. PLEASE ADVISE.
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, THE SENSOTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM (SBC) FAILED AND THERE WERE NO NOTICEABLE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT IF YOU APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE DURING A FAILURE, THERE WILL BE SOME BRAKING POWER AVAILABLE. IN THE SITUATION THOUGH, WHEN THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, HUMAN INSTINCT IS TO IMMEDIATELY FIND AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO STOP THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY DOWNSHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVERS MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. MERCEDES BENZ USA IS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR ALL SBC ELECTRIC PUMPS TO FAIL AT ANY TIME CAUSING THIS SAME SITUATION FOR ANYONE. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO COVER THE DEFECTIVE PART BECAUSE I AM 1 MONTH BEYOND THE 'EXTENDED WARRANTY.' THEY CLAIM THAT AS WITH ANY CAR PARTS, THE SBC SYSTEM CAN BE EXPECTED TO FAIL AT SOME POINT. ANYTHING BEYOND 10 YEARS AND THEY DO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. NORMALLY I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT SENTIMENT, BUT NOT WHEN IT CONCERNS THE PRIMARY ELECTRIC SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC BRAKES TO FAIL. THERE SHOULD AT LEAST BE A SUFFICIENT AND NOTICEABLE HYDRAULIC BACK UP IF THIS PART IS ENGINEERED TO FAIL. MERCEDES HAS RECENTLY EXTENDED ALL FUEL TANK RELATED ISSUES AND COMPONENTS TO 15 YEAR COVERAGE, AND THIS WOULD AT LEAST BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR THE SBC SYSTEM. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE MERCEDES BENZ USA AND THE NHTSA SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SBC TO BE INSPECTED YEARLY AND
THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE SBC UNIT, WHICH EXPIRED DECEMBER 5, 2014. THE MESSAGE IN MY CAR APPEARED ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 17, 2014 OF THE FAILURE OF THE SBC UNIT THEREAFTER WHICH I CONTACTED THE POMPANO FLORIDA MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE. ALTHOUGH I WAS ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED DECEMBER 5, 2014, I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2014. AT THAT TIME, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME THAT THE PART WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I HAD TO BRING UP THE WARRANTY TO THE DEALERSHIP, THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT VOLUNTEERED TO ME. I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR AS THE UNIT CONTROLLING THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BROKEN AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL OVER THE BRAKES, WHICH COULD FAIL AT ANY MOMENT. I ASKED [XXX] (THE SERVICE MANAGER) TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW MERCEDES BENZ WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THIS PARTICULAR PART THAT CONTROLS THE BRAKES THAT WAS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND NO NOTIFICATION WAS PROVIDED REGARDING THIS? THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM HIM AND MERCEDES BENZ USA WAS THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, JUST A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE PART. YOU CAN SEE HOW RIDICULOUS THIS SOUNDS TO ANY HUMAN BEING. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS NOW AND THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE MY PARENTS WHO BOUGHT IT NEW FROM THE ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP.NEITHER ONE OF US EVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE REGARDING THIS EXTENDED W
THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS ONLY 20% OF BRAKE POWER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY, PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR PULLED VERY AGGRESSIVELY TO THE LEFT, I GOT A WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHING RED THAT SAID THERE WAS A BRAKES ISSUE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT NORMALLY WITH NO ERROR DISPLAYING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY SAID WITHOUT A FAULT CODE IN THE SYSTEM, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO FULLY FAIL BEFORE THEY COULD ADDRESS IT. I'M SCARED OF THIS CAR NOW, I DON'T DARE DRIVE IT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, ANY OTHER SYSTEM FINE, BUT BRAKES? THIS SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER. NHTSA, PLEASE HELP US. *TR
THE DESIGN OF FUEL PUMP IN ALL THE MERCEDES BENZ IS VERY VERY DEFECTIVE , THE COMPANY HAS SHOWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE TO SAFETY OF CONSUMERS, WHEN EVER I FILL UP THE FUEL TANK , IT STARTS LEAKING AND STARTS EMITTING VERY FOUL SMELL IN SIDE AND OUT SIDE THE CAR, I THINK IF THERE IS TOO MUCH LEAKAGE OF GAS WHICH IS FITTED UNDER THE BACK SEATS OF CAR , IF THERE IS SMOKER PASSENGER , THE CAR CAN CATCH FIRE RIGHT AWAY, I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM , THE DO NOT WANT TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY FOR SAFETY , BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND THE MILEAGE IS MORE THAN 50,000, I COMPLAINED TO THE HEAD OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY , THEY SUGGESTED ME TO REPLACE THE TANK , AND PAY FOR IT ,THE ESTIMATE IS ABOUT $4000.00 , SINCE IT IS SAFETY ISSUE THEY SHOULD RECALL ALL THE CARS, WHICH ARE IN THOUSANDS WITH THE SAME DEFECT, I HOPE YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR FILE A CLASS LAW SUIT TO BE FILES AGAIN THE COMPANY FOR GROSS NEGLIGENCE. *TR
12/31/2014 HI, CUSTOMER CARE / TECHNICAL ADVISER, MB USA. I AM UNABLE TO CONTACT AND DISCUSS WITH ANY CUSTOMER CARE OR TECHNICAL CARE ADVISER TODAY. MERCEDES BENZ, E-500, 2005, V8, 4 DOOR SEDAN YESTERDAY, 12/30/2014 BETWEEN 9:30 TO 10:30 AM, WE BOTH (ME AND MY WIFE, [XXX]) WERE IN THE CAR LUCKILY WE HAD TAKEN AN EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY 404 NORTH IN YORK REGION, ONTARIO, CANADA WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE BRAKE FAILURE SIGN SHOWED UP WITH RED WARNING LIGHT. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR SINCE BRAKE WERE TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE AND FAILED. IT WAS A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE WHICH HAS LEFT US INDIGNANT, I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR NOW EVEN REPAIRED BY MB, ONTARIO, CANADA, NOW MY CAR IS IN MB NEWMARKET LOCATION ON MULLOCK STREET, ONTARIO, CANADA. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WHOLE BRAKE MODULE IS BAD AND YOU HAVE TO REPLACE BEFORE DRIVING AND THE COST IS ALMOST 3000/= CANADIAN DOLLARS. I AM LODGING THIS COMPLAINT AGAINST MB USA NOW IN REGARDS TO SAFETY ISSUE, GOD SAVED US BUT WE ARE STILL IN SHOCKED AND MENTALLY UPSET AND SCARED DRIVING MB CARS FOR NOW. I ALSO HAVE GL 450, 2008 , I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. PLEASE CALL ME AND DISCUSS THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH ASAP. I AM ALSO FILLING A CIVIL LAW SUITE AGAINST MB USA IN REGARDS TO THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH LEFT US COMPLETELY SHOCKED, MENTALLY UPSET AND AN EMOTIONAL STRESS. THANKS NOTE: I FAXED THIS LETTER TO MY STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY TODAY 12/31/2014 AND I AM REQUESTING MY STATE FARM INSURANCE, MORGANTOWN, WV'S LAWYERS TO L
AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. IT IS NAUSEATING AND CAUSES SEVERE HEADACHES TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED WITH A SERIES OF CODES CONSISTENT WITH LOSS OF VACUUM (EVAP). FUMES ARE LEAKING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE BUT MOREOVER ARE IMPARTING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ASSOCIATED NAUSEA AND HEADACHES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE MESSAGE BOARD DISPLAYED REDUCE BRAKING POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. UPDATED 02/25/15. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
WHEN EVER WE FILL UP THE FUEL TANK , IT STARTS EMITTING TOO MUCH FOUL SMELL . I COMPLAINED TO THE NEW JERSEY MERCEDES HEAD QUARTER, THEY TOLD ME TO GO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSE, DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE TANK, WHICH COSTS ABOUT $ 4000 ,00 THERE IS DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE LOCATION OF FUEL TANK, THAT IS LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEATS, IF IT EMITS FOULS SMELL THAT MEANS LEAKING GAS , IF ANY PASSENGER HAPPEN TO BE SMOKER, THAT CAN CATCH FIRE AND CAUSE DEATH AND INJURIES, THEY HAVE VERY VERY DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND DO NOT ADMIT PRODUCT LIABILITY PROBLEM.ALL THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED . *TR
MY E500 HAS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AFTER PUTTING A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE GAS SMELL DOES NOT GO AWAY AND THERE ARE NO FAULTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE SMELL IS ALSO SLIGHTLY PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
BAD FUEL SMELL COMING INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED FUEL PUMP LAST YEAR AND IT WAS SMELLING SO I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING RELATED TO THAT. I WENT TO THE MECHANIC AND AFTER THEY TOOK APART THE BACK SEAT, THEY SHOWED ME THE WORK THEY DID AND THE CURRENT PROBLEM WHICH WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK FROM THE TOP BOLT THAT IS MOLDED TO THE PLASTIC TANK. HE THEN SHOWED ME A STACK OF TANKS ABOUT 5 OR 6 FUEL TANKS HIGH, THAT HE SAID WERE THE TANKS THAT THEY CHANGED OUT LAST WEEK, SAYING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE ROUGH ESTIMATE WAS $2000.00. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WHEN I FULL MY GAS TANK, I GET A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BOTH INSIDE THE CAR AND OUTSIDE. INSIDE THE VEHICLE THE GASOLINE SMELL IS THROUGHOUT THE CAR AND SMELLS STRONGEST IN THE DRIVERSIDE REAR SEAT LOCATION. OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE THE STRONGEST SMELL OF GASOLINE SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE DRIVERSIDE REAR DOOR/WHEEL WELL. THE SMELL SEEMS TO LAST UNTIL THE GAS LEVEL GOES BELOW 3/4 OF A TANK OF GASOLINE. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I FULL THE GASOLINE TANK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SBC WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
THE SBC SENSONIC BRAKE CONTROL ON MY 2005 MERCEDES WAS FAULTY AND ACCORDING TO RECALL WEBSITE ON THIS VEHICLE THIS IS A RECALL PART REPORTED TO NHTS. RECALL # 2005070007 AND 2005110001 THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART FOR FREE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A RECALL PART. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM THE DEALER MARCH 2013 BUT THEY DID NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AFTER I ASKED THEM IF ANY RECALL ON 2005 MERCEDES. THE SERVICE MGR SAID ITS A WARRANTY ISSUE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE RECALL DOES NOT EXPIRE. AND IS NOT THE SAME AS WARRANTY. *TR
HEAVY SMELL OF GAS FUMES AFTER REFILLING MY E500. THE SMELL IS WORST AROUND THE DRIVERS BACK SEAT. THE SMELL OF GAS IS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. HORRIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR - EVEN WITH WINDOWS AND ROOF OPEN. *TR
STARTED SMELLING GAS FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR. FAINT AT FIRST BUT WHEN THE CAR WAS REFILLED TO FULL TANK IT WAS VERY STRONG. WHILE IN THE VEHICLE WE WERE BREATHING GAS FUMES. THE GAS GAUGE READ HALF TANK AND WE BROKE DOWN BECAUSE WE WERE ACTUALLY ON E. THE FUEL SENSOR OR FLOAT WAS BAD TOO AND NOW THE GAUGE HAS GONE BAD. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS BEING AFFECTED. *TR
A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER MY BRAKE HYDRAULICS WENT OUT (WHICH WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY) I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRONG GAS SMELL FROM INSIDE OF MY CAR, ALONG WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS OF AIRING OUT I DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO MERCEDES BENZ OF LITTLETON FOR REPAIR. I WAS CHARGED $1500 FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH STILL LEFT MY CAR SMELLING LIKE GAS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITH THE SAME ERROR CODE(SMALL EVAP. LEAK) I LIFTED THE BACK SEAT TO FIND THE BOTTOM SOAKED IN GUNNKY GAS ALONG WITH ELECTRICAL WIRES RUNNING THROUGH THE LEAK AREA. I'M AFRAID MY CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE OR BLOW UP. I'M SICK OF THESE DANGEROUS MALFUNCTIONS THAT I FEEL MERCEDES KNOWS ABOUT BUT WON'T REPAIR FOR FREE. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECH WHAT I CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AND HE SAID "NOTHING". NOW I'M $1500 IN THE DRAIN AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED, AND I WAS REASSURED THE PROBLEM WOULD SHOW UP AGAIN. *TR
STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN THE CABIN, SOAKED REAR UNDER-SEAT PAD, REAR SEAT SOAKED WITH FUMES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUXILIARY PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,648.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E-500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AFTER THE TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
I TOOK MY CAR IN ON JULY 14, 2014 AFTER RECEIVING A BRAKE REPAIR ALERT ON MY DASHBOARD 1 DAY EARLIER. THE DEALER, JACK INGRAM MERCEDES, RAN A DIAGNOSTIC & REPORTED THE BRAKE PRESSURE RESERVOIR NEEDED REPLACING. I GOT THE ESTIMATE, PICKED THE CAR UP & TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION. JULY 16, 2014 I RETURNED TO JACK INGRAM MERCEDES & REQUESTED ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC. THE REPAIRMAN TOLD US THE BRAKE PRESSURE RESERVOIR NEEDED REPLACING & HE FLUSHED THE BRAKE FLUID. WE AGREED TO THESE REPAIRS WHICH COST $1767. THE DAY WE WERE EXPECTING TO PICK UP THE CAR, 2 WEEKS LATER, THE REPAIRMAN CALLED STATING THE BRAKE PUMP FAILED & IT WOULD NOW COST AN ADDITIONAL $2000 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FROM THE LOT ON JULY 14, AT WHICH TIME THE BRAKE PUMP WAS STILL GOOD, THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE 10 YEAR UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY ON THE SBC PUMP. THE SERVICE MANAGER CHANGED THE STORY SEVERAL TIMES IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE THIS MY FAULT, HOWEVER THE CAR IS & HAS REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION SINCE THE 2ND DIAGNOSTIC WAS RUN ON JULY 16 AT WHICH TIME WE WERE TOLD ONLY THE BRAKE PRESSURE RESERVOIR HAD FAILED. SHE STATED THEY REPLACED THE RESERVOIR ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE IT WITH A 2ND NEW RESERVOIR BECAUSE THE 1ST WAS APPARENTLY FAULTY & THAT'S WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THE PUMP WAS BAD. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS MY FAULT. THE PUMP WENT BAD WHILE IN THEIR POSSESSION AFTER THEY REPLACED THE RESERVOIR 2 TIMES. SHE ALSO REFUSED TO GIVE US A PRINTOUT OF THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORT,
FUEL LEAK FROM TANK. VAPORS AND FIRE RISK. FATIGUE CRACKING. MAYBE RELATED TO EA13-003 AND PE12-001. *TR.....UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SUDDENLY THE 'STOP CAR, CAR TOO LOW' WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FOLLOWING DAY, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE LOW REACHING THE TOP WHEEL RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,179.
WHEN I FILL UP, I THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GAS FROM OUTSIDE MY CAR, IN THE BACK SEAT AND I CAN SMELL IT WHEN MY CAR IS PARKED IN MY 2 CAR GARAGE. *JS
I HAVE BEEN NOTICING A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SEAT IN THE BACK, OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE ORDER IS IN THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AS WELL, BUT IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN I FILL UP THE GAS TANK AND THEN DISSIPATES AFTER THE GAS TANK IS AROUND 3/4 TO 1/2 FULL. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE NOT ONLY, BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING MY GAS MILAGE, BUT BECAUSE IT IS RISKING NOT ONLY MY LIFE BUT THE LIVES OF MY PASSENGERS. I AM SURE THAT THE INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS IS NOT GOOD FOR ANYONES HEALTH AND NOT TO MENTION THE DANGERS OF THE VAPORS IN THE PRESENCE OF ANY KIND OF FLAME. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE, AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT. THIS HAS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OF MBUSA. MY RESEARCH HAS ALSO SHOWED ME THAT MBUSA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUES FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT IS INSISTING ON ITS COSTUMER PAY THE REPAIRS THAT RANGE ANYWHERE FROM $300 TO $1500. I WOULD COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND, THE CUSTOMERS ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS, IF MBUSA PROVIDED A PRODUCT THAT WAS NOT ALREADY FLAWED IN ITS INCEPTION. *JS
DRIVING ON STREET--INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS UP RED SAYING "CHECK FUEL TANK CAP"--DRIVE TO PARK TURN OFF ENGINE--CHECK FUEL CAP -CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON-- SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED 5 DAYS LATER. *TR
EACH TIME I FILL OUT THE TANK, IT GIVES SUCH A HORRIBLE FUMES SMELL INSIDE MY CAR. *TR
THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF UNBURNT FUEL COMING FROM MY CAR AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. I CAN'T TELL AT THIS POINT WHERE EXACTLY THE SMELL IS COMING FROM. I DO NOT SEE A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG; I CAN SMELL IT THROUGHOUT MY WHOLE 2 CAR GARAGE. I AM VERY WORRIED WHAT PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS FAILED. *JS
I HAVE A TERRIBLE ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM INSIDE MY MERCEDES E500 4MATIC WAGON ESPECIALLY AFTER I FILL THE TANK. *TR
UPON REFUELING THIS 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500 VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, WITHIN AN HOUR THE CAR EXHIBITS GASOLINE ODORS EMITTING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AS WELL AS STRONG GASOLINE ODOR FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS LASTS UNTIL THE GAS INDICATOR SHOWS ROUGHLY 50% TO 60% OF FUEL REMAINING. WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 AS WELL WITH A THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, WE ENDED UP TRADING THAT CAR IN ON MARCH 23, 2011. I FOUND THIS ON YOUR WEBSITE DESCRIBING THE CONDITION MY CAR IS IN. DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED: MAR 15, 2013 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED: OPEN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA13003 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE AFTER REFUELING TO CAPACITY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DETECT A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,954 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 67,956.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES-BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FUELING, HE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR BEING EMITTED FROM THE REAR SEATS AND REAR WHEEL WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKING POWER REDUCED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE SBC HYDRAULIC PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,981. UPDATED 01/23/2014 *BF ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES WERE DRY ROTTED AND CRACKED, THE LEFT OUTER AXLE BOOT WAS TORN AND LEAKING, THE SERPENTINE ENGINE BELT WAS BADLY WORN, AND WAS SPLITTING DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE ENGINE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING OIL, THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR WAS DAMAGED AND WOULD NOT FOLD UP PROPERLY, THE TRANSMISSION PILOT BUSHING WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION OIL INTO THE VEHICLE HARNESS. UPDATED 03/18/14 ..UPDATED 03/18/14 *BF *TR
DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES GOING DOWNHILL IN PREPARATION TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. RED BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER VEERED OFF ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENT AND FULLY APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. WHEN CAR WAS TURNED BACK ON AGAIN, RED LIGHT IN DASH WAS GONE, NO WARNINGS EXISTED, AND BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP AND NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN NOVEMBER 2013 WITH 115,000 MILES (APPROXIMATELY). SLOWLY DROVE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. REPUTABLE MERCEDES SPECIALTY MECHANIC FOUND CODES THAT SAID SBC HAD ISSUES, BUT CODES WERE CLEARED IN ORDER TO DO OTHER DIAGNOSTICS. SINCE MECHANIC WAS NOT A DEALER, HE SUGGESTED CAR BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR "EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR" SINCE THIS KNOWN ISSUE WAS NEVER ESTABLISHED AS A RECALL. SKYLAND AUTOMOTIVE IN ASHEVILLE, NC STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION STATING BRAKE ARE OK, BUT DID CHARGE $89 TO LOOK FOR CODES WHICH DID NOT EXISTS. WE ASKED TO BE CONTACTED BY A MERCEDES REP TO REVIEW OUR CASE, BUT WERE DENIED AND TOLD THIS WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM IF WE HAD MAINTENANCE DONE AT SKYLAND. AT THIS TIME, THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AGAIN AS THEY HAVE DONE BEFORE. IF THE BRAKES GO OUT AGAIN AND THE CAR AND OCCUPANTS ARE NOT DAMAGED, THE THEORY IS THERE WILL BE A FAULT CODE SUCH THAT THE DEALER KNOWS WHAT TO REPLACE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS SET TO EXPIRE IN 3 MONTHS. AFTER THAT TIME, THE COST
CODE: 4A30 ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NOT IDENTIFIED OR INCORRECT CONTROL MODULE. CODE: 54F0 CAN COMMUNICATION WITH CONTROL UNIT TRANSMISSION CONTROL IS SPORADICALLY DISTURBED. SAFETY ISSUE: I RECENTLY GOT OFF THE FREEWAY, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN ATTEMPT TO PROCEED NORMALLY WITH THE VEHICLE NOW STUCK IN 5TH (OR WHATEVER THE SENSOR CHOOSES) GEAR, AND NO POWER STEERING- THERE IS A REASONABLE USER PRESUMPTION THAT THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND BE ABLE TO SAFELY JOIN TRAFFIC....INSTEAD IT CRAWLS FORWARD AT A FEW MILES AN HOUR INTO POTENTIAL HARMS WAY WITH NO WAY TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE NORMALLY, THEREBY LEAVING THE DRIVER AND OUR CHILDREN IN DANGER. I SPEAK FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AND WOULD NOT WISH THIS TERROR EXPERIENCE ON OUR WORST ENEMY. MERCEDES MONTVALE NJ WILL NOT PARTICIPATE ON FIXING THE CAUSE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR IS SO STRONG SOMETIMES THAT IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE. I KNOW THIS CAN'T BE GOOD FOR MY HEALTH AND I'VE READ THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. THIS PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS AFTER REFILLING THE GAS TANK AND LASTS ABOUT A WEEK AT A TIME. *TR
I TOOK MY CAR 2005 E500 FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE BALL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN JULY 2011. THEN AFTER CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT, THE DEALER TOLD ME THE FUEL RING UNDER THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST USD 600. ALSO THERE WAS GASOLINE SEEPING OUT OF CAR ONTO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR WAS PARKED. I STARTED SMELLING GASOLINE SMELL IN MARCH 2012. I TOOK THE CAR AGAIN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012 AND THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE FUEL SYSTEM. COST USD 2100. THERE WERE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE IN MY GARAGE AFTER THE SERVICE. I WAS TOLD THERE MIGHT BE GASOLINE SMELL. AFTER THE SMELL LINGERED AFTER EVERY FILLUP I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN WANTED TO CHARGE ME USD 3000 FOR THE FUEL LEAK BUT I TOLD THEM I JUST FIXED THE FUEL LEAK PROBLEM. THIS WAS IN SEPT 2012. THIS TIME THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T CHARGE ME ANYTHING. I AGAIN TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME ON IN SEPT 2013 TO MERCEDES BENZ IN GRAPEVINE, TX. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE COST IS USD 2115. I TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION, CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM ON MERCEDES E500 VEHICLES AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR, MATT PINECREST, TOLD ME THE CASE WAS SETTLED AND MERCEDES WON. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FALSEHOOD. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOW TAKEN AN EMOTIONAL TOLL ON ME SINCE I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR PROPERLY WITHOUT WORRYING. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6
FUEL APPEARS TO BE LEAKING INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. CAR IS NOT RUNNING NORMALLY AND YOU CAN EVEN SMELL FUEL ON THE OUTSIDE. CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. CONCERN OF SUCH STRONG SMELL OF FUEL LEAKING INSIDE CAR IS RISK OF FIRE AND PERSONAL INJURY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 E500 MERCEDES BENZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE AND IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE. THE ODOR WOULD DIMINISH AFTER THE FUEL TANK HAD REACHED ONE HALF FULL OR BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 11/13/13*LJ
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 20 MILES (30 MINS), I SMELLED GAS. EVER SINCE THAT DAY THE SMELL OF GAS HAS BEEN COMING FROM REAR DRIVERS SIDE. IT STARTED OFF FAINT BUT NOW HAS BECOME STRONGER. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
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