NHTSA Complaint #11626082 — 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E63

My 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, which has developed a fuel system defect resulting in a leak. This issue poses a significant safety risk, including the potential for fire and explosion, and is directly related to a known defect that Mercedes-Benz USA has previously acknowledged through an extended warranty campaign.Safety Risk: Fuel system leaks pose an imminent danger, including the potential for fire and explosion, to vehicle occupants and others on the road. Manufacturer Acknowledgment: The warranty extension campaign underscores Mercedes-Benz’s recognition of this defect as a manufacturing issue, Repeat Occurrence: Having experienced this defect in my previous 2005 E500 4MATIC and now my 2007 E63 AMG, it is evident this issue is systemic and not isolated.Ethical and Legal Responsibility: Safety defects do not have an expiration date. Mercedes-Benz has an obligation to address this issue regardless of warranty status.Mercedes-Benz USA recognized the severity of this defect by extending the warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage for “Covered Fuel Tank Components” in specific models, including the 2003–2009 E-Class (W211). I received a notice in 2015 outlining this warranty extension, which covered the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets, seals, and retention rings. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz USA formally notified the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), specifically the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), of this extended warranty campaign in 2014. While the ODI concluded that the nature of the leaks "does not appear to present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety," I strongly disagree. Any defect involving fuel system leaks represents a substantial safety hazard, including the potential for fire, explosion, and environmental harm.