NHTSA Complaint #11701109 — 2019 MERCEDES-BENZ CLA 250

My 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 has become unsafe to drive due to strong gasoline fumes filling the cabin. The smell is overwhelming and makes it difficult — and frankly dangerous — to sit in the vehicle for more than a few minutes without feeling lightheaded. I have since learned that this issue is part of a known defect covered under NHTSA Recall #21V961, which affects 2016–2020 CLA 250 models for a fuel leak and potential fire hazard. Despite the recall directly describing this exact problem — fuel vapors entering the passenger compartment — I was told that Mercedes-Benz will not cover the repair costs, even though the recall was never performed on my car. This is deeply concerning, as gasoline fumes inside the cabin pose not only a serious health risk from inhalation but also a potential fire or explosion hazard. It’s unacceptable that a manufacturer would refuse to remedy a safety recall issue, especially one involving a known fuel system defect that could endanger both the driver and passengers. I’m left with a car that’s unsafe to drive and a manufacturer unwilling to take responsibility for a problem they’ve already acknowledged through the NHTSA.