2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 Fuelpropulsion System Problems

I inherited my dad's 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 when he passed away last year. He kept the car in pristine condition. About a month ago while driving it, I noticed a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin of the vehicle. The odor is strong just after filling the tank, and then it disappears at appox. 3 quarters of a tank. This issue has been physically challenging for me, making me dizzy and giving me migraines. I'm also very concerned about the safety issues relating to gasoline fumes inside the car... My understanding is that this is a common issue for the said Mercedes Benz model and year. It is a dangerous parts defect that is unacceptable.

*1. The Fuel Tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned. *2. After filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3The car has been taken to a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center and was told that the problem was the gas tank and system/components. *4.The car was inspected by a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center Mechanic *5. There were NO warning lamps or messages on the dashboard or message center on car. The only symptoms of the problem was the strong odor of gasoline fumes after fuel fill ups.

After fueling up, a smell of gas occurs. Slight gas puddle forms under the car after every fuel up. Drops gas gauge down and after that no more smell of fuel but still slight puddle of gas after leaving the car parked. Noticed it about a month ago and it seems to get worse. Doesn't seem safe knowing the car is leaking fuel.

WHEN MY WINDOWS ARE DOWN AND IM DRIVING YOU CAN SMELL GASOLINE VERY STRONGLY IN THE CAR. EVEN WORSE IN THE BACK SEAT AREA. ESPECIALLY IF MY GAS TANK IS FILLED. IM CONSTANTLY GETTING A WARNING TO CHECK THE GAS CAP AND THE GAS LIGHT GOES OFF FLASHING THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO ON.

FUEL SMELL COMING FROM WITHIN CABIN FIRST NOTICED OCTOBER 2018 TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY WAS CHARCOAL FILTER NOT A BIG DEAL WHEN FILLING TANK WITH FUEL IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS, AND WAS RECENTLY NOTICED WHEN TIRES WHERE CHANGED THAT FUEL SMELL AND LOOKED LIKE LEAKAGE OF GAS. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT AND AS THE SECOND OWNER WAS NEVER INFORMED IN ANY CAPACITY. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WHICH IN MY OPINION IF THEY KNEW, ALL OWNERS SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ASAP. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO, OR CAN BE DONE, BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT ACCEPTABLE IF IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT. THIS WAS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING. I WANT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO KNOW, WE MAY HAVE OTHERS OUT THEIR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NOT KNOWING THIS. WHAT A SHAME FOR MERCEDES IF THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED PEOPLE. I STARTED REVIEWING WHAT...

WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS INSIDE OF CAR AND OUTSIDE. WHEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE FAULT AND THEY WANTED $5000 TO CORRECT ISSUE.FOUND OUT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AND THEY REFUSED TO EXPEDITE AS THEY SAID IT WAS FOR 15 YEARS AND THAT HAD EXPIRED. NO RECALL NOTICES HAD BEEN SENT TO ME OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER.I HAVE HAD CAR FOR 4 YEARS, PREVIOS OWNER HAD IT FOR 6.CONTACTED HEAD OFFICE IN ATLANTA STILL WOULD NOT COVER THE ISSUE

GAS TANK LEAKS, CAR IS 2 YEARS OUT OF COVERAGE FOR GAS TANK. THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM DID NOT LEAVE MUCH ROOM FOR 2003 OWNERS TO BE ELIGIBLE. THE TANK LEAK AT THE TOP IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW THAT MERCEDES ADMITS IS A PROBLEM BUT WASHES THEIR HANDS OF IT AFTER THE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY EXPIRATION. THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA AND THE LEAK CAN BE SEEN COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK WHEN THE FUEL FILTER ACCESS PLATE IS REMOVED.

DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2005. MERCEDES NEVER NOTIFIED US NOR MADE US AWARE OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANKS. A MECHANIC TOLD US ABOUT THE WARRANTY AND TOLD US TO CONTACT MERCEDES IMMEDIATELY. FEBRUARY 2018 I CONTACTED CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME TWICE THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN TO MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM CONFIRMED THE ISSUE. TWICE MERCEDES CORPORATE OFFICE REPS TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT TO DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM EVALUATE THE CAR, CONTACT CORPORATE FOR AN " EXCEPTION". I DID JUST SO. THE CAR RUNS OKAY, HOWEVER, THE STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR IS FRIGHTENING AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I COULD NOT CHANCE MY DAUGHTER DYING IN A AUTOMOBILE EXPLOSION. AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE HAVE BEEN RENTING CARS FROM ENTERPRISE FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR THE...

FUEL LEAKING TO THE INSIDE OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT UNDER ACCESS PORT UNDER REAR SEAT CUSHION, THAT'S THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL PUMP. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH TUCSON MERCEDES BENZ TO INSPECT THE CAR SINCE I BELIEVED THAT A MERCEDES RECALL WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH SERVICE ADVISOR MARK SCHOFIELD AND HE ASSURED ME TWICE THAT THE RECALL IS IN PLACE AND THEY WOULD FIX THE FUEL SYSTEM DEFECTS WITHOUT CHARGE. HE CALLED ME THIS EVENING AND TOLD ME ALL ABOUT WHY TUCSON MERCEDES WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR, I WAS TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM ENDED 2/21/2018. I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 4/5/18, FILLED IT UP WITH GAS ON 4/08/18 AND THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH FUMES THAT NIGHT AS WELL AS IN MY GARAGE. TUCSON MERCEDES FIRST SAID THAT THE TANK WAS LEAKING AT THE VENT TUBE BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT ACCESS POINTS....

MERCEDES INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY TO COVER THEIR FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATION WITH SUSAN (EXECUTIVE REFERRAL MANAGER) AND SHE DECLINED MY REQUEST TO PAY FOR THE INVOICE. MY FUEL PUMP FAILED AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED BEFORE THE CAR HAD SERIOUS PROBLEMS.

FUEL SMELL COMING FROM LEFT REAR FUEL SENDING UNIT LEAKING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (LOKEY MERCEDES-BENZ, 19820 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33764) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK, FUEL LINES, AND EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINES WOULD BE COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. ANY ADDITIONAL PARTS OR LABOR WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

MY CAR HAVE A STRONG SMELL A GASOLINE ON THE BACK SEAT EVERY TIME IM REFUELING. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO OPEN ALL THE WINDOWS SO THE SMELL GOES AWAY. AND SOME TIMES A GET THE MESSAGE CHECK FILLER CAP BUT AL READY CHANGE THE FILLER CAP AND THE MESSAGE STILL SOME TIMES APPEAR.

SMELLS GASOLINE WHEN CAR IS PARKED IN GARAGE AND SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING SMEELS GASOLINE IN CABIN..SRS RESTRAINTS MALFUNCTION LIGHTS KEEPS COMING ON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED AND PARKED, AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF A FUEL LEAK OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,618.

AFTER FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT, VEHICLE OPERATED FINE FOR ABOUT 7 MILES. WHILE IDLING A COUPLE OF MINUTES IN THE DRIVEWAY UPON RETURN FROM THE SHORT TRIP, THE RETURN LINE HOSE EXITING THE FUEL FILTER EXPANDED, RUPTURED, AND SPRAYED FUEL OUT AT A HIGH RATE. AFTER HOSE WAS REPAIRED, FUEL GUSHED OUT OF EVAPORATIVE CANISTER DISCHARGE TUBE AND PURGE VALVE CANISTER. VISE GRIPS PLACED ON THE RUBBER TUBE LEADING FROM THE RETURN LINE TO THE CANISTER STOPPED THE GUSHER. NEW FUEL FILTER THAT WAS JUST INSTALLED (PRONTO PF5416) WAS SUSPECTED TO BE DEFECTIVE - CAUSING EXCESSIVE RETURN LINE FUEL VOLUME. WITH THE POOR DESIGN OF THE RETURN LINE PLUMBING AND RESTRICTION BACK TO THE TANK, THE EXCESS VOLUME WAS PILING UP IN THE EVAPORATIVE CANISTER AND OUT THE PURGE VALVE IN A MASSIVE GUSHING LEAK. ONCE A SECOND NEW FUEL FILTER WAS FITTED (PUROLATOR F65416), VEHICLE RAN PROPERLY AGAIN WITHOUT LEAKAGE...

RECENTLY ON TODAY 7-12-16 AT 174,000 MILES THE DISPLAY ON MY 2003 E320 4S MERCEDES BENZ ALL OF A SUDDENLY DISPLAYED AN ILLUMINATED MESSAGE IN BRIGHT WHITE : "BRAKE" SERVICE BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM EXHIBITED THIS MESSAGE. SHORTLY PRIOR TO THIS MESSAGING, I NOTICE MY BRAKES WERE MORE HARD TO APPLY PRESSURE,. I AM GLAD I WASN'T DRIVING FAST, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS TRAGEDY TO MYSELF AS WELL AS THOSE OTHERS ON THE EXPRESSWAY JUST A AS I WAS. 2. PROBLEM WITH MY GAS TANK AFTER I FILL THE TANK , THE GAS FUMES BECOME SO INTENSE AFTER PARKING THIS VEHICLE INSIDE MY GARAGE. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WERE A RECALL. IS THIS FUEL SAFETY HAZARD RECALL STILL IN EFFECT? IF SO, WHOM DO I CONTACT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT NO COST TO...

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN HAS GROWN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER PAST YEAR. NOW IT IS CONSTANT - NOT JUST WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED. HAVE NEVER ADDED MORE GAS AFTER THE NOZZLE SHUTOFF WHEN REFILLING - NEVER TOP OFF THE TANK. I DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER FROM MB IN JAN 2015 AS OTHER HAVE REPORTED ON INTERNET. I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED EXCLUSIVELY AT THE MB DEALERSHIP. THE 2008 FUEL RECALL WAS INSTALLED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO.

I HAVE OWNED MY 2003 E320 FOR OVER 10 YEARS NOW, HAVING PURCHASED IT AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES. EVERYTIME I PARK IT IN MY GARAGE AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, MY GARAGE SMELLS OF GASOLINE, EVENTHOUGH THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A VISIBLE LEAK ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. RECENTLY AFTER I REFUELED, THE SMELL WAS NO LONGER JUST OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD NOW PERMEATED INTO THE CABIN. THESE FUMES HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR, BECAUSE THEY ARE SO OVERWHELMING.

VEHICLE PRESENTED WITH RED LIGHT INDICATING TO TAKE VEHICLE TO WORKSHOP IN RED. BRAKING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, SRS SYSTEM STALLED THE VEHICLE, EMERGENCY MODE WAS ACTIVITED,WE WERE UNABLE, AT FIRST TO TURN ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS IF IT WAS PARALYZED. WE FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO RUN AND TURNED VEHICLE INTO MB DEALERSHIP. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE SBC UNIT WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, WE WERE BESET WITH 1,800.00 REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES, THANKFULLY MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I FOUND MYSELF NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR ADEQUATE BRAKING DISTANCE. FUEL: UPON FUELING VEHICLE, THE FUEL HANDLE WILL STOP AND IMMENSE AMOUNTS OF FUEL WILL SPURT OUT FROM FUEL TANK. THERE IS ALSO A SMELL OF GAS/FUEL IN THE CABIN AFTER...

THERE IS A GAS LEAK ON THE SENDING UNIT (FUEL TANK) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FILLED WITH FUEL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE, AND IT IS COMMON WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ E320. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD WHO COMPLAINS OF THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHILE RIDING IN THE CAR. IT LEAVES THE SMELL OF GAS IN MY GARAGE AS WELL.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAD SMELL OF GASOLINE VAPORS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. FUEL SENSOR AND PUMP WAS REPLACED, ISSUE WENT AWAY. VENDOR WILL NOT REIMBURSE SERVICE AND PARTS. *TR

WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FUMES OF GAS AFTER THE GAS TANK IS COMPLETELY FILLED. LATER THE CAR DEVELOPED ROUGH IDLING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF OKLAHOMA CITY WHERE THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED FOR INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR FOR FOUR DAYS. IN THE MEAN TIME WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES-BENZ OF USA NOTIFYING US OF EXTENSION OF WARRANTY ON FUEL SYSTEM FOR UP TO 15 YEARS. WHEN WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT WE WERE TOLD THEY KNOW AND ARE FOLLOWING THE "BULLETIN" ISSUED BY THE COMPANY. INITIALLY WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO US BY REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WAS NO PAPER WORK SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS ACTUALLY DIAGNOSED AND DONE. THE CAR IS STILL IDLING ROUGH, THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT READING CORRECT...

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BETWEEN 2005 AND 2015, I SMELLED GAS INSIDE OF MY CAR AFTER FILLING THE TANK. GAS SOAKED MY BACK SEAT AND CARPET BEHIND DRIVER'S SEAT, AND LEAKED OUT THE RIGHT (DRIVER'S) SIDE OF THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK INTO THE MERCEDES DEALER IN SUGAR LAND ON APRIL 9, 2008, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AFTER THEN, I AVOIDED FILLING UP THE TANK. ON DECEMBER 12, 2012, I FILLED THE TANK BY ACCIDENT AND THE FUEL SOAKED BY BACK SEAT AND LEAKED OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP, AND THE FUEL PUMP SEAL WAS REPLACE.THEN ON JULY 1, 2014, THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THEN SUBSIDED AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

I RECENTLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE. AS IT GOT STRONGER I BECAME MORE WORRIED. WHEN CLEANING OUT THE CAR TODAY I NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT WAS STAINED NEAR THE BOTTOM(SMELLS LIKE FUEL). I PULLED UP THE BACK SEAT AND UNDER THE SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUR OF FUEL PUDDLED AND STAINED INTO THE FLOOR AND AROUND A CIRCULAR LOOKING COVER OF SOME SORT. WHILE LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SAW THAT IT HAS BEEN COMMON IN THIS YEAR/MODEL CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WAS LEAKING FUEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I FILLED THE TANK AND IT LEAKS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR AT A STEADY DRIP UNDERNEATH THE REAR DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHERE THE TANK SITS ...NOTICE IT LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK COMING DOWN ON TO THE FLOOR...I CANNOT FILL THE TANK AND THE SMELL AND THE AMOUNT OF GAS ON THE FLOOR I BELIEVE IS QUITE HAZARDOUS IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE UNDERNEATH A BEDROOM. *TR

I HAD A GASOLINE TO LEAK IN THE WELL UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATS IN THE BACK OF MY 2003 E320 MERCEDES BENZ. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I HAD TO SPEND $1200.00 TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP ON MY 2003 E 320 MERCEDES BENZ. WHEN WILL MERCEDES BENZ RECALL THESE MODELS FOR FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS? THEY WERE NEVER ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEMS WHILE THIS CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOW IT'S COMING UP 11 YEARS LATER. OVER 40 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT MERCEDES IS STILL SAYING THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, NOR DO THEY HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE FUEL LEAK PROBLEMS. THERE ARE ALSO OWNERS IN OTHER STATES WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM, BUT LISTED BELOW IS A COMPLAINT ON CPSC'S WEBSITE FROM A LAUREL, MD 2003 E320 OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS...

AFTER FILLING UP CAR THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE. *TR

I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2003 MERC. BENZ E320, IT'S BEEN A CRAZY RIDE! HERE'S A LIST OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT HAPPENED TO ME OVER THE COURSE OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY I STILL DO. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL IN TOW AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME SEVERAL TIMES, MY BATTERY DIES CONSTANTLY, I HAD AN ISSUE WHEN AFTER I PUMPED GAS YOU COULD SMELL FUEL BOTH INSIDE MY CAR & OUTSIDE OF MY CAR, I LITERALLY ONE TIME HAD FUEL POURING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR THAT ENDED ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. (THANK GOD I DON'T SMOKE!) MY SUSPENSION IS CONSTANTLY RATTLING, I HAVE WATER THAT LEAKS ON MY FEET WHEN I DRIVE OCCASIONALLY AND SOMETIMES I HAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER AND SOMETIMES I DON'T. I ALWAYS HAVE A...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED AS AN INTERIM FIX TO NOT FULLY FILL THE FUEL TANK BUT PROVIDED NO DIAGNOSIS OR REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELL THE STRONG FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE ODOR WAS MUCH STRONGER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE INJECTION SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL FUMES THAT EMITTED FROM THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL ODOR EMITTED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,860. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS SMELL WAS SO STRONG IT MADE THE OWNER DIZZY AT TIMES. THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AS OF 7/25/2014 THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY GERMAN MOTORS IN LAS VEGAS, NV. UPDATED 12/17/2014 *JS

SMELL OF GAS AFTER I FILL UP AT THE PUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE A FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,638.

EACH TIME AFTER A REFUEL I GET A FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN, AND WHEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE I SEE THE GAS LEAKING UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE.I AM FORCED TO LET THE GARAGE DOORS OPENED FOR A WHILE TO EVACUATE THE GAS FUMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EMIT AN OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK WAS REFUELED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL WAS SMELLED WITHIN THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY HESITATE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NECK AND THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK AND PARKING CAR IN GARAGE, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK, HE WOULD SMELLED FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT ON 3/19/13 FROM A USED CAR DEALER. ON 3/22/13 TANK WAS FILLED AND STRONG GAS SMELL WAS NOTICED WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE. HAD MECHANIC REPLACE BOTH SENDING UNITS ON TOP OF TANK ON 4/5/13. THE PROBLEM WITH SMELL STILL EXISTS EVERYTIME TANK IS FILLED, AND SEEMS TO BE CONCENTRATED BY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED, AND ARE CONVINCED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE FUEL TANK, WHICH IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR