NHTSA Complaint #11281869 — 2012 MERCEDES-BENZ C204

THERE ARE SMALL CRACKS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THIS ALLOWS FUEL TO LEAK OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND POOL IN THE CENTER OF THE PUMP WHERE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ELECTRICAL WIRES THAT ARE SUBMERGED IN FUEL. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM AS THERE IS A REAL POTENTIAL FOR IGNITION OF THE LEAKED FUEL WHICH IS RIGHT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE MY 5 YEAR OLD'S CHILD SEAT IS LOCATED. THERE IS ALSO AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR WHICH IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE LIGHT HEADEDNESS AND POSSIBLE SYNCOPE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE NTSB OPENED UP AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OPENED A PROBE IN JANUARY 2012 AFTER RECEIVING 20 REPORTS IN 2003-2006 E55 AMG VEHICLES AND EXPANDED THE PROBE LAST YEAR INTO ALL 2003-2008 E-CLASS VEHICLES. OWNERS SAID THEY REPORTED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY AFTER REFILLING THE FUEL TANK. MANY COMPLAINTS SAID THE ODOR SUBSIDED AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE THEREBY LOWERING THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK. OTHER OWNERS REPORTED THEY WOULD ONLY FILL THE GAS TANK TO ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS FULL TO AVOID THE ODOR. SOME OWNERS SAID FUEL LEAKED FROM THE FUEL FILTER/SENDER, LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND COLLECTED ON TOP OF THE TANK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE ARE OTHER MODELS AND YEAR MODELS THAT ARE AFFECTED AND DID NOT FALL UNDER THE MERCEDES RECALL CAMPAIGN.