2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Fuel System
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
AFTER GAS TANK IS FILLED FUEL IS FORCED FROM THE TOP OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT BELOW THE REAR SEAT. THE FUEL POOLS AND STAINS THE INSULATION AND BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. IT CAUSES GAS VAPORS IN THE CAR FOR WEEKS. SEAT AND PADDING HAVE TO BE PULLED AND ALLOWED TO DRY. EXCESS FUEL HAS TO BE TOWELED FROM THE AREA AROUND THE SENDING UNIT. UNTIL THE TANK EMPTIES SEVERAL GALLONS OF GAS THIS PROCEDURE HAS TO BE REPEATED. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE AUTO IS UNFORGIVEABLE. I READ WHERE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY MB'S OF THIS TYPE.
FUEL LEAK IN THE SENDING UNITS, PUMPS AND GAS TANK. INSIDE OF CAR SMELLS LIKE RAW FUEL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT WHILE REFUELING, FUEL LEAKED FROM THE TANK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,500. UPDATED 8/30/12 THE CONSUMER STATED EVERY TIME THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED, IT LEAKED FROM THE LEFT FUEL SENDING UNIT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT. GAS FUMED WERE VERY NOTICEABLE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SOMEWHAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 100 MILES AND THE FUEL LEVEL WAS DOWN ABOUT FOUR GALLONS. LIQUID GAS PUDDLES WERE ON TOP OF THE SENDING UNIT AND RAN DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TANK TO THE GROUND. THE MERCEDES FACTORY REP REFUSED TO REPLACE THE LEAKING PARTS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT IF NHTSA OR THE CLASS ACTION SUIT LAWSUIT WERE TO RULE IN FAVOR OF THE CUSTOMER, THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEN. UPDATED 09/05/12
GAS SMELL IN THE MY GARAGE AND STRONG INSIDE CABIN AFTER FILLING THE CAR UP. CHECKED UNDER SEAT AND PUDDLE ON TOP OF FUEL PUMP AREA. CLEANED UP FUEL AND CONSULTED INTERNET FOR DIAGNOSE OF ISSUE. FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND FOUND SOME TO GET FIXED WITH PUMP REPLACEMENT OR WHOLE TANK REPLACEMENT. TOOK IN TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PUMP AND WANTED $800 TO FIX. PER INTERNET OPTED NOT TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT AND HAVE LEFT AS IS JUST NOT FILLING CAR UP WITH FUEL. ONLY FILL TO 3/4 TANK AND NO SMELL SINCE. *TR
GAS VAPORS FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT/CABIN WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INSTO THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING DUE TO A CRACK. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12001. MANY OWNERS OF W211 MERCEDES PRODUCTS (E-CLASS, MODEL YEARS 2003-2009) REPORT FUEL LEAKS AND STRONG FUEL FUMES AFTER A FILLING THE TANK. I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, WITH THE STRONGEST GASOLINE SMELL OCCURRING AROUND THE DRIVER'S-SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. THIS ISSUE IS REPORTEDLY WITH EITHER THE FILLER TUBE, THE GASOLINE TANK, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH PARTS. MANY OWNERS HAVE FIXED THEIR ISSUES BY REPLACING BOTH THE FILLER TUBE AND THE TANK AT A COST OF AROUND $2000, OR LESS DEPENDING ON THE OWNER'S SUCCESS IN NEGOTIATING DEALER PARTICIPATION IN COST. I AM HOLDING OFF REPAIRING THIS ISSUE TO SEE IF MERCEDES BENZ INITIATES A RECALL BASED ON NHTSA RECOMMENDATIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL TANK SEAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK SEAL BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED ON THE REAR SEATS AND THE FUEL LINING INJECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPLACEMENT FUEL LINES COULD POSSIBLY HAVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE12001 EVERY TIME I FILL MY TANK THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL, WHICH LASTS UNTIL IT THE TANK LEVEL DECREASES. *TR
GASOLINE VAPORS FILL CABIN AFTER REFUELING. GASOLINE IS PASSING FROM FUEL SYSTEM TO SOME POINT BELIEVED TO BE BENEATH OR BEHIND REAR SEATS. *TR
IN REFERENCE TO PE12-001 ONGOING INVESTIGATION FUEL LEAKS. WHEN GAS IS PUT IN CAR, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN. BROUGHT TO ATTENTION TO DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES & WAS ASSURED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. IN MARCH 2011, THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AS GOODWILL GESTURE SINCE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRING. IN APRIL 2012 ADVISED MERCEDES OF FUEL SMELL REMAINED, AT THIS TIME I WAS INFORMED OF A CRACK IN GAS TANK UNDER BACKSEAT. FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED, BROUGHT CAR HOME, AFTER FILLING WITH GAS, ONCE AGAIN STRONG FUEL ODOR BUT ACCOMPANIED BY VISUAL OF FUEL UNDER AUTO. MERCEDES NOW STATED IT WAS DUE TO INSTALLATION ERROR & NOW WAS CORRECTED. I HAVE NOT PICKED UP VEHICLE, DO NOT HAVE FAITH ANOTHER POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING "ERROR" WILL NOT OCCUR. HOW DO WE KNOW IF THE REPLACEMENT TANK/PUMP DOESN'T HAVE SAME DESIGN FLAW, NOT WORTH MY CHILDREN'S OR MY LIFE TO FIND OUT. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK FAILED. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL THE FUEL FUMES PENETRATED THE VEHICLE AND THE TRUNK AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE WHICH WAS MADE WITH A DEFECTIVE PLASTIC LINER, AND CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*BF THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE GAS TANK VENT HOSE. UPDATED 03/26/12
GASOLINE ODOR WAS SMELLED IN/OUT AFTER FILLING UP. FOUND GAS-LEAK BENEATH DRIVER'S REAR SEAT, ON TOP OF GAS TANK, INSIDE THE CABIN. ALSO FOUND GAS DROPS ON GARAGE FLOOR. *TR
2007 VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES. UPON FILLING FUEL TANK, VEHICLE EMITS GAS ODOR NEAR TANK LOCATION (REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL). THIS CONTINUES UNTIL LEVEL IN FUEL TANK IS BELOW APPROX. 3/4 FULL. DEALER INITIALLY REPLACED SEALS ON FUEL TANK. PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE FUEL SENDING UNITS. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON VARIOUS DISCUSSIONS AND FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT, RECURRING ISSUE AND ONE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. GAS POOLING ON TOP OF THE TANK BEHIND THE REAR SEAT AND THE RELATED EMISSION OF FUMES IS NOT ACCEPTABLE NOR SAFE. *TR
A STRONG GAS ODOR APPEARED OUTSIDE THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL. IT WAS SO STRONG THAT I HAD TO REMOVE IT FROM MY GARAGE DUE TO THE PILOT LIGHT WARNINGS ON MY HOUSE HEATING UNIT AND HOT WATER HEATING UNIT. DEALER REPLACED LEFT FUEL SENDING UNIT AND IT MADE THE ODOR EVEN STRONGER; IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS REPORTED ON THE INTERNET BY MANY OWNERS REPEATEDLY TRYING TO FIX THIS UNIT TO NO AVAIL. EXPERTS I'VE TALKED TO SAY IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE TANK AND ITS VARIOUS COMPONENTS THAT MB HAS KNOW ABOUT FOR YEARS ORIGINALLY APPEARING IN THE E55 AMG'S. OF COURSE, SINCE THE FUEL SYSTEM IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED, IT IS CONSTANTLY RELEASING GAS FUMES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
BOUGHT A USED 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E350 MAR 14, 2011 DROVE LESS THAN 80 MILES BEFORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF CODE P0456. I HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING UNDER REAR SEAT/TRUNK AREA AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THESE ISSUE WAS A PREEXISTING PROBLEM THAT I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT EVEN THOUGH DEALER DOCUMENTS SAY OTHERWISE. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF THAT ON THE EMISSIONS REPORT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TO HAVE BEEN RESET TO SELL THE VEHICLE WITH KNOWN PROBLEMS TO AN UNSUSPECTING BUYER. THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN SERVICED AT THE END OF JAN 2011 PER DOCUMENT WITH ONLY MINIMAL MILES ACCRUED AS THE CAR SAT ON THE LOT. I FIRST NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP APRIL 5, 2011 IT TOOK UNTIL THE 12TH FOR THEM TO FINALLY TELL ME TO BRING IT IN TO VERIFY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SINCE APRIL 12 2011 AND I CAN NOT GET ANYONE TO CALL ME BACK AS TO THE STATUS. THE SERVICE MANAGER APOLOGIZED FOR THE SITUATION BUT SAID HIS HAND ARE TIED UNTIL SOMEONE APPROVES THE REPAIRS. TODAY IS APRIL 15, 2011 I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY DEALERSHIP. *TR
AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK (WITHOUT TOPPING-OFF AND WITHOUT ANY SPILLAGE) AND ARRIVING AT NEXT DESTINATION, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SIDE OPPOSITE OF THE FILLER PIPE, SO IT IS NOT RELATED TO SPILLAGE DURING FILLING. THE ODOR LASTS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 3/4. UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CAR, THERE IS A SMALL BUT NOTICEABLE WET AREA UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET PROVIDES A VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH 2003-2009 E CLASS SEDANS (W211 BODY STYLE) THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE PROVIDED LINKS FOR REVIEW. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOU PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS VERY CONCERNING MATTER. HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-AMG/363759-URGENT-NOTICE-03-06-E55S-WERE-INVOLVED-FUEL-SENDER-RECALL-BOMBS.HTML HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/E-CLASS-W211/178514-GAS-ODOR-04-320-A.HTML HTTP://MBWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/E-CLASS-W211/272451-GAS-ODOR-WHEN-TANK-FULL.HTML HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W211-E-CLASS/1458815-GAS-SMELL.HTML HTTP://WWW.MBCA.ORG/FORUM/GAS-LEAK-SENDING-UNIT HTTP://WWW.MYMBONLINE.COM/FORUM/188-E-CLASS-W211/51835-INTERIOR-HAS-FUEL-SMELL.HTML HTTP://WWW.FAQS.ORG/CAR/MERCEDES-BENZ-E55-2005/FUEL-SYSTEM/ *TR
I HAVE A 2007 E350 THAT HAD 2 CUPS OF FUEL SITTING RIGHT ABOVE MY LEFT FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL TANK. MY GARAGE SMELLS OF FUEL EVERY TIME WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH, WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS ENOUGH LEAKING FUEL TO CAUSE A MAJOR FIRE IN MY CAR UNDERNEATH THE RIGHT BACK SEAT. CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD HANDLE THE ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULD STILL CHARGE FOR PARTS AND LABOR SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE MANUFACTURED WARRANTY ANYMORE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS OUT THERE BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL AND HANDLE THE REPAIRS. THESE CARS CAN CATCH ON FIRE SINCE THE FUEL IS LEAKING. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CAR TO BE FIXED BUT SINCE THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOT THE FIRST PERSON COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, MBUSA SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THESE FAILURES. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 E350. MY GARAGE SMELLS OF FUEL EVERY TIME WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK. THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THERE IS ISSUE WITH FUEL TANK. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS OUT THERE BUT MERCEDES WILL NOT MAKE A RECALL AND HANDLE THE REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM. THIS IS SHOULD BE A RECALL FROM MERCEDES. SINCE THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOT THE FIRST PERSON COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS, MBUSA SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THESE FAILURES. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SMELLED GAS IN AND AROUND CAR. DEALER FOUND MINOR PURGE LEAK. VEHICLE FAILED FUEL TANK LEAK TEST. GAS IS POOLING IN THE AREA UNDER THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER. SMALL NIPPLE CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT DAMAGE. RECOMMENDED NEW FUEL TANK. FUEL SENDING UNIT IS A DISASTER. SAME TYPE OF SYSTEM THAT WAS IN THE E55 AMG WHICH WAS RECALLED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AT THE TOP OF THE TANK AROUND THE EXPANSION PLUG. UPDATED 02/03/11 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AFTER SHE PLACED FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT A RUBBER RING INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FAILED. AS OF NOVEMBER 2, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REFUSED TO TAKE POSSESSION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,228.
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Quick Summary
The 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 96 Fuel System complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.