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1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,622 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2004 Mercedes-Benz E500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #37

Dec 152007

E500

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E500. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel emitted inside of the vehicle after refueling. Whenever three gallons or more of fuel was dispensed into the fuel tank, the fuel would spew from the filler neck onto the ground. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to provide a remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #36

Nov 152013

E500

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E-500. The contact stated that T he vehicle stalled after refueling accompanied by a strong gasoline odor. The vehicle was not taken for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

- Paradise Valley, AZ, USA

problem #35

Jun 012013

E500

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E500. The contact stated that a strong gasoline fuel smell was in the cabin after refueling. There was also a fuel leak near the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the O-rings would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #34

Dec 032012

E500

  • 188,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After filling my car with fuel, I have notice a strong odor of gas fumes in my garage which smells throughout my entire home and inside my car. But I don't see any leaks on the floor. After the gas tank drops to 3/4 of a tank, the smell of fumes goes away. This has been going on for a very long time. I believe this is a safety issue and that Mercedes should repair it asap. Thanks. Also the fuel cap sensor constantly stays blinking as if there is something wrong with the connection to the fuel tank opening, every time I re fuel. I have even had the fuel cap replaced with a new one and the sensor in the car still comes on every day.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #33

Jul 312013

E500

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E500. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected, the mechanic informed the contact that the fuel filter module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

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problem #32

Jul 202013

E500

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that fuel was smelled around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #31

Jun 142012

E500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My E 320 has gas smell in my garage after refueling since June/2012. The smell is getting even stronger for last a few months.

- San Jose , CA, USA

problem #30

Apr 082013

E500 8-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Reference NHTSA action number: PE12001. There is a distinct fuel smell after filling up the tank. Do not smell inside vehicle but do smell after the car is put away inside garage. No sign of leakage under the car (puddling or drips). Goes away after fuel tank is less than full. There is no smell if you only fill to 3/4.

- Punta Gorda, FL, USA

problem #29

Aug 222012

E500 8-cyl

  • miles
The fuel tank cannot be filled up completely. Doing so causes the car to smell like gasoline. There seems to be a fuel leak on the tank which causes the gasoline to spill. The odor comes mostly from the back seat of the car. If the tank is filled, the car will have the gasoline odor for weeks even with the windows left open. This is quite dangerous in many ways since I have an infant who is required by law to sit in the backseat rear faced.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #28

Mar 202013

E500 8-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
There was a fuel leak that caused the car to smell of gas when the tank is near full (3/4) to completely filled. The fuel has not been leaking to the ground and I have been unable to pinpoint exact location. When I would go into my closed garage after the car had been parked for a while the smell of fuel is too strong to ignore. My mechanic told me the source is the sending unit and tank assembly. He told me the failure was common and the situation could become very dangerous if ignored. The cost to replace the tank is going to run $2,000. The car has never been damaged and should not require a tank replacement at this point in its lifecycle.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #27

Apr 022013

E500 8-cyl

  • 200,125 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After fill-up on April 2, 2013, vehicle has a strong smell of gasoline on the drivers side exterior of the vehicle. This problem is present whenever the vehicle is fueled above a certain level.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #26

Feb 042013

E500 8-cyl

  • 70,284 miles
Vehicle has a strong smell of fuel after filling the tank. The dealer replaced the fuel pump support on 02/05/2013 but the problem was not solved. The dealer replaced the fuel tank on 03/01/2013. This appeared to solve the problem. The total cost of the repairs was $381.41 + $ $807.35 = $1,188.76.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 012012

E500

  • 105,000 miles
After refueling, car had strong odor of fuel leaking. Fills garage with fumes. Worried that Pilot light will ignite fumes. Also, fuel gauge sticks on 1/2 tank even when tank is empty.

- Mount Juliet , TN, USA

problem #24

Feb 062013

E500 6-cyl

  • 108,800 miles
Very strong odor of gasoline especially after filling gas tank. Tank is not topped off at filling and a few days after filling the odor is gone. Reappears every time tank is filled. No visible leak under vehicle.

- Westboro, MA, USA

problem #23

Mar 202013

E500 8-cyl

  • 78,000 miles
Gas tank leaks at the top near the sending unit. Above 3/4 tank level, leakage takes the form of puddles on the floor under the car an noxious fumes are very strong.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #22

Mar 132013

E500 8-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
Very strong fuel smell when parked inside the garage. Fuel leaks around the fuel tank. I was afraid to open up the garage door because of the smell/fumes. Very concerned that the car might explode.

- Campbell, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 072012

E500 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
I have noticed strong gasoline odors emanating from my car after refueling. I purchased a new Mercedes Benz gas cap and installed it. Filled the gas tank and gasoline odor was still very strong. I do not 'top off' when refueling. Researched issue online at benzworld.org and discovered that the gas odor issue I am experiencing may be related to a problem being seen in numerous Mercedes Benz E-model vehicles. As advised by the other owners having this issue I detached the rear seat cushion from the car and removed the bolts from the circular access panel that covers a portion of the fuel tank on the driver's side of the vehicle. In the depression on top of the gas tank where numerous electrical wires attach to the fuel pump I found a significant quantity of raw gasoline pooled. This presents a very unsafe situation and I am no longer willing to park the vehicle in my garage due to the potential fire hazard. The pooling of raw gasoline also represents an environmental issue due to the evaporation and creation of toxic fumes. I understand that Mercedes Benz dealers are demanding $2,000. Or more to rectify the problem by removing and replacing the gas tanks in impacted vehicles. I feel that the manufacturer of this defective component should be held responsible to recall it and replace it. I understand that the NHTSA's current investigation action no. For this issue is PE 12001.

- Carrollton, GA, USA

problem #20

Feb 132013

E500 8-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Fuel collecting under the left rear seat. Strong smell of gasoline inside and outside. Took the rear seat cover out and saw puddle of fuel. I am extremely concerned if it will catch fire and injure or cause death of my children. Updated 3/13/13 pictures received 03/19/13

- Syosset, NY, USA

problem #19

Oct 012012

E500 8-cyl

  • 138,500 miles
After refueling, fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle and garage where parked. Extremely overwhelming smell and danger obvious. Taken to mechanic and fuel tank has leak at sensor and sending unit seals. The dealer has refused to repair as no recall issued. Owner found many others with exact same issue on this model series and year online and with mechanics experience. Strong potential for imminent fire hazard. Gasoline fumes are hazardous to vehicle passengers, with numerous medical issues noted in research. Strong enough in cabin to cause dizziness, illness or loss of consciousness.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #18

Dec 152012

E500 8-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
Very strong smell of fuel, exterior rear left side. Found fuel leak, left rear of vehicle, dripping heavy underneath. Took vehicle to a european car shop, mechanic replaced fuel seal of fuel pump under rear seat. Mechanic removed large amount of fuel from the affected area (leak under rear seat).

- Vacaville, CA, USA

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