NHTSA Complaint #10586485 — 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

AFTER REFUELING, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE WHERE I PARK MY CAR. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A FEW MILES AND PARKING IN THE GARAGE, THE ODOR WAS NO LONGER THERE. I STARTED NOTICING A PATTERN THAT WHENEVER I REFUELED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE GARAGE THAT DISSIPATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A FEW MILES. RIGHT AFTER I STARTED NOTICING THE GAS SMELL, THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER WHO STATED GAS TANK HAS CRACK AT THE TOP AND IS LEAKING FUEL. THE ENTIRE TANK AND ALL THE COMPONENTS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT $3,000. I MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A COUPLE OF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS DEFECTIVE. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO REPAIR THE COMPONENTS UNDER ANY CAMPAIGN OR RECALL. *TR