NHTSA Complaint #10679538 — 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY OF 2014 FROM A NON-MERCEDES DEALER. TOWARDS THE END OF DECEMBER OF 2014, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GAS IN OUR GARAGE EVERY TIME I FILLED UP THE TANK. THE ODOR WOULD DISSIPATE AFTER THE GAS LEVEL WENT DOWN BUT THE STRONG ODOR RETURNED EVERY TIME I FILLED UP THE TANK. I DID NOTICE MOISTURE ON THE GARAGE FLOOR BUT IT WOULD EVAPORATE BY THE TIME I DROVE BACK INTO THE GARAGE SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG THAT I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO MY INDEPENDENT MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE IS A DEFECTIVE SEAL ON THE GAS TANK WHICH REQUIRES THE ENTIRE TANK TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2200 JUST FOR THE GAS TANK-NO LABOR INCLUDED YET. FORTUNATELY, I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE COMPANY IS SENDING OUT AN INSPECTOR TO MY MECHANIC TO VERIFY THAT A NEW TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN A 2008 MERCEDES. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY WANT TO DISPUTE THE REPAIR. BASED ON MY RESEARCH, MULTIPLE LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED IN VARIOUS STATES ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE YEAR AND MODEL WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL AGAINST MERCEDES BENZ TO COVER THIS DEFECTIVE GAS TANK/SEAL. THANK YOU. *TR