2003 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG E55 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the rear seats, the contact observed gasoline pooling underneath the rear seats. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB: 2008-020001. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

The Alternator died after just over two years from being replaced by Mercedes part and labor causing a loss of electrical power and a loss of brake in the car.

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, THERE WAS AN INCREASINGLY LARGE RATTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER LOAD. EVENTUALLY THE RATTLE STOPPED. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS, IT LEAKED EVERYWHERE CAUSING A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD. WHILE THIS WAS PUT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS BY MERCEDES BENZ, A 2003 MODEL IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 YEARS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AS IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN RURAL MONTANA ON A ROAD TRIP (I'M FROM WA) AND POSED A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD IN THE BLAZING HEAT OF SUMMER. I HAD TO TOW IT BACK ON A UHAUL TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR A POTENTIAL FIRE. EVEN THE MECHANICS AT A NEAR-ISH (200 MILES AWAY FROM THE MONTANA HIGHWAY I BROKE DOWN ON) WERE HESITANT TO EVEN MOVE THE CAR DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS OR BEEN GIVEN A MUCH LONGER EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN ADDITION TO THE SHAKE, NOW THE BRAKES WILL NOT LET GO WHEN I TRY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS WOULD NORMALLY BE A SEPARATE ISSUE, BUT IF IT CREATES A SPARK NEXT TO THE FUEL ISSUE, IT COULD MEAN THAT THE CAR IS QUITE LITERALLY A BOMB IF DRIVEN. THE WHOLE INTERIOR SMELLS LIKE FUEL AS WELL. MERCEDES SEEMS TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM BY COMPLYING WITH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK AND ADDING THE WARRANTY BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL OR LONGER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO GREED. THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS LIKE MY OWN AND EVEN WORSE ONES WHERE THE FUEL MAY IGNITE IN THE FUTURE.

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, THERE WAS AN INCREASINGLY LARGE RATTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER LOAD. EVENTUALLY THE RATTLE STOPPED. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS, IT LEAKED EVERYWHERE CAUSING A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD. WHILE THIS WAS PUT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS BY MERCEDES BENZ, A 2003 MODEL IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 YEARS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AS IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN RURAL MONTANA ON A ROAD TRIP (I'M FROM WA) AND POSED A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD IN THE BLAZING HEAT OF SUMMER. I HAD TO TOW IT BACK ON A UHAUL TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR A POTENTIAL FIRE. EVEN THE MECHANICS AT A NEAR-ISH (200 MILES AWAY FROM THE MONTANA HIGHWAY I BROKE DOWN ON) WERE HESITANT TO EVEN MOVE THE CAR DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS OR BEEN GIVEN A MUCH LONGER EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN ADDITION TO THE SHAKE, NOW THE BRAKES WILL NOT LET GO WHEN I TRY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS WOULD NORMALLY BE A SEPARATE ISSUE, BUT IF IT CREATES A SPARK NEXT TO THE FUEL ISSUE, IT COULD MEAN THAT THE CAR IS QUITE LITERALLY A BOMB IF DRIVEN. THE WHOLE INTERIOR SMELLS LIKE FUEL AS WELL. MERCEDES SEEMS TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM BY COMPLYING WITH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FUEL TANK AND ADDING THE WARRANTY BUT REFUSES TO DO A RECALL OR LONGER EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO GREED. THIS CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS LIKE MY OWN AND EVEN WORSE ONES WHERE THE FUEL MAY IGNITE IN THE FUTURE.

MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AN SRS WARNING LIGHT THAT THE DEALERSHIP, MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH BAY, DIAGNOSED AS BEING A PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR FAILURE. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE MODELS, WHICH UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET I BELIEVE IS THE CASE, AND QUOTED ME OVER $4,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS FAILURE TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG UNLESS THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED. MY UNDERSTANDING, HAVING PREVIOUSLY WORKING FOR ANOTHER OEM FOR 15 YEARS, WAS THAT AIRBAGS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PARTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE IS SO COMMON WORLDWIDE THAT AFTERMARKET COMPANIES SELL "EMULATOR" KITS THAT TURN OFF THE LIGHT AND MAKE THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONAL FOR APPROXIMATELY $100. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE OF A CRUCIAL SAFETY COMPONENT AND SHOULD REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS.