2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 Fuel system Problems

My car displayed all of the issues listed below for the Electrical system recall. The fuel gague went "blank", other gagues acting irradical, the check engine light stay on, etc. My car make and model fall under this recall but have been excluded. I had to pay out of pocket $4678.50 to replace the entire fuel tank due to this and the Manufacture (Mercedes Benz) is refusing to reimburse me. (1) THE FUEL GAUGE READINGS MAY BE INCORRECT; (2) A STUCK FUEL-LEVEL SENSOR MAY NOT BE DISPLAYED IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; (3) THE OBD SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE INCORRECTLY; AND, (4) THE SPEEDOMETER MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP MAY NOT RECEIVE A CRASH SIGNAL THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO DISCONNECT AND PREVENT FUTURE FUEL DELIVERY AS DESIGNED.

NHTSA ID

11708086

Incident

Nov 13, 2020

This is a PZEV vehicle. When the car is filled over 3/4th of the way, the driver's side near the back tire starts to leak the fuel. There was no warning lights, just the smell and the leaks. It's obvious why this is a safety hazard. This was not inspected by anyone other than myself as it was quite obvious after removing the back seat and accessing the sending unit location. This started after I resolved a fuel pump issue (back in March, resolved this month) Mercedes refused to handle ($3k) and noticed on or around 9/24/24.

NHTSA ID

11616902

Incident

Sep 24, 2024

On [XXX] I was driving and the vehicles stalled in the middle of the street, I couldn’t start it back. I managed to contact AAA and had the vehicle towed to my home because it around 6pm and auto repair shops were closed. Next morning I had AAA towed the vehicle to a local auto repair shop and they told me that fuel pump failed. It would have been very dangerous if we were driving on the freeway, not to mention I had my 85 year old mother in the passenger seat. Please help me as I am sure what I need to do now. It’s a Mercedes-Benz model E350 2008. I can be reached at [XXX] my name is [XXX] . My car has 87,200 miles. Thank you in advance for all your helps. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11587937

Incident

May 1, 2024

Smell of gasoline in the cabin and real bad outside of car

NHTSA ID

11582498

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. In addition, the engine began to sputter while idling. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the fuel tank sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact also stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled in the middle of an intersection. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed; and the mechanic discovered that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11560359

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

Mileage

140,000 mi

Gasoline smell all times inside of the car.

NHTSA ID

11545003

Incident

Sep 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while refueling, the contact smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The contact stated that the odor was present whether the vehicle was turned off or running. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11533253

Incident

Jul 5, 2023

Mileage

70,000 mi

My car has smelled like gas for the past few years. Also it has not past inspection for the past 2 years. Mercedes said it was due to a defective intake manifold. Paid to replace the intake manifold and Mercedes said 2 new codes appeared. Now the gas tank, fuel pumps, brackets and hoses need to be replaced at a cost of of over 3500. The fuel pumps were replaced in 2014. Not sure why I continue to have problems with fuel pumps and now gas tank. Was informed this year after replacing the intake manifold that there was an extended warranty that concluded December 2022. I think Mercedes should resolve this as other vehicles had this same safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11519937

Incident

May 1, 2022

Very strong gas smell both inside and outside of the car with check engine light on. This happened in May of 2022. Could not park the car inside the garage. Contacted MBUSA, they said there is an extended warranty for this vehicle for this problem, advised me to take it to Mercedes dealer. I took the car to the dealer. They checked it out and said it is not covered under the extended warranty because it has passed the mileage ceiling for PZEV which I do not know what PZEV is. I checked The NHTSA website, it says 15 years unlimited miles. I had no other choice but to fix the car at the dealer and pay for the cost. A few months later MBUSA sent me a letter telling me although it has passed the mileage I might be eligible for a refund and wanted me to file a claim at the dealership. I did and after over two months the dealer again told me it is not covered. I paid about $1100 for the repair and told MBUSA that the dealer does not honor what the MBUSA letter says. Now even MBUSA does not honor what they wrote me in their own letter. They say if my car was non PZEV it would have been covered? How was it my fault to have a PZEV vehicle? Why did Mercedes had PZEV and non PZEV? How is it the customer fault. Both vehicles have the same issue but why one is covered and the other is not? Please you be the judge.

NHTSA ID

11504240

Incident

May 1, 2022

Smell Heavy gas smell inside of the vehicle but not in the engine bay. Stronger smell in the back seat. Afraid car my catch fire while driving. Having to drive with windows down so i don't get droggy.

NHTSA ID

11417652

Incident

May 7, 2021

LEAKING GAS TANK PVEZ, MERCEDES WILL NOT REPLACE IT, WAS UNDER RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11406612

Incident

Apr 7, 2020

WHEN CAR IS FILLED WITH GAS(FULL) , A GASOLINE ODOR CONSUMES MY GARAGE. WHEN WE OPEN GARAGE ALL YOU CAN SMELL IS GASOLINE. WHEN THE CAR GETS LESS THAN 1/2 TANK, THE FUEL ODOR SUBSIDES. USUALLY WHEN I TAKE IT TO DEALER I HAVE 1/4 TANK AND SMELL IS HARD TO DETECT. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR OVER 2 YEARS BUT SMELL IS GETTING WORSE /STRONGER IT STARTING TO GIVE US HEADACHES

NHTSA ID

11397527

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

STRONG FUEL ODOR AFTER TOPPING OFF. I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND STALLED ON THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED IN THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11364352

Incident

Oct 12, 2020

Mileage

123,000 mi

THE FUEL TANK LEAKS STRONG GASOLINE VAPOR INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE CREATING A FIRE HAZARD AND IMPERILS THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO PROPERLY BREATHE. THE VAPORS ARE STRONGEST EVERYTIME THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED OVER HALF WAY. CURRENT REPAIRS ARE GOING TO COST $3000. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE ROOT CAUSE IS THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS REQUIRED COMPONENTS THAT ARE NONSTANDARD. THERE ARE NO PICTURES AS THE LEAKY FUEL TANK IS CONCEALED UNDER THE BACK SEAT, BELOW WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT.

NHTSA ID

11362822

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

76,000 mi

I HAVE A 2008 MERCEDES E350 PZEV MODEL AND THE ISSUE I CAME ACROSS IS A MAJOR ONE. THESE MODELS IN PARTICULAR HAVE A BIG REPUTATION ON FAILING FUEL PUMPS, AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE ON THE PZEV VERSIONS IT CAN NOT BE FIXED UNLESS THE WHOLE FUEL TANKED IS SWAPPED WITH A NEW ONE. THE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED INSIDE THE GAS TANK AND ITS SEALED JUST SO THERE'S NO WAY OF FIXING THE ISSUE, ON THE OTHER HAND THE NON-PZEV MODELS HAVE A REPLACEABLE PUMP WHICH REDUCES THE WORK AND MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE. MERCEDES HAS AN APPLIED EXTENDED FACTORY WARRANTY FOR THE MODEL W211 WHICH COVERS THIS ISSUE UNTIL 15YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES FOR NON-PZEV MODELS AND 15YEARS / 150K MILES FOR PZEV MODELS. I SEE THIS VERY WRONG BECAUSE THE PZEV MODELS ARE SUPER EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND MANY PEOPLE ARE OVER THE 150K MILE MARK. THIS TERM SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO THE PZEV MODELS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR $3,200 BUT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IT IS OVER THAN $3,500. I AM REQUESTING MERCEDES TO HELP ME ON THIS SITUATION AS THESE CARS ARE WELL KNOW TO FAIL IN THAT DEPARTMENT. AS IT STANDS THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, IT RELEASES LOTS OF RAW GAS SMELL AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT START. I WANT MERCEDES TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS MATTER BECAUSE THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE BEEN A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLAR FIX IF THE DESIGN AFTER TANK WASN'T SO BAD. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE PZEV MODELS AND MOST OF THEM ARE OVER THE 150K MILE LIMIT WHICH IS NOT ENOUGH CONSIDERING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11321416

Incident

Apr 17, 2020

Mileage

162,443 mi

FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT IS CRACKED CAUSING FUEL VAPOR TO ENTER CABIN. ALSO DRIVER SEAT HEATER IS OVER HEATING CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DISCOMFORT AND CANNOT BE USED. WHEN I STARTED TO RESEARCH THESE ISSUES I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA ID

11316866

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

152,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF ONTARIO AT 909-212-8400 (LOCATED AT 3787 E GUASTI RD, ONTARIO, CA 91761), BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RETURN CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11289723

Incident

Oct 17, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

MY MBZ E350 IS LEAKING FUEL. VERY STRONG SMELL BOTH FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. I BELIEVE THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER AND OR PASSENGER IN MY CAR. ALSO, WHEN GAS TANK GETS FILLED UP, MY E350 ENGINE WILL START BUT IT WILL DIE WITHIN 5 TO 7 SECONDS. I'VE CONTACTED MBZ USA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE ISSUE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE'S NO EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. BUT I'VE COUPLE OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO SAME ISSUE IN WHICH MBZ STATED THAT THEY'RE EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO FUEL COMPONENTS.

NHTSA ID

11288484

Incident

Nov 26, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THIS IS ABOUT 5 YEARS I AM SMELLING GAS FUEL INSIDE THE CAR.BUT ON 05/24/2019 DRIVING ON THE STREET ,SUDDENLY CAR STOPPED MIDDLE OF STREET,AFTER TOWING THE CAR TO MECHANIC SHOP ,WE FIND OUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEM AND UNABLE TO CHANGE THE PUMP WE NEED TO BUY FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP,WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE.THIS SHOULD BE ON RECALL.BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE COMPLAING (ACCORDING TO YOUR SITE)..CAR IS 115000 MILE.WARRANTY ARE 150000 OR 15 YEARS...JUST IMAGINE IF I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH MY WIFE...THANKS IN ADVANCE

NHTSA ID

11210048

Incident

May 24, 2019

Mileage

115,000 mi

CAR SMELLS OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUT. CAUSING HEADACHES, FEARING FIRE OR EXPLOSIONS

NHTSA ID

11181619

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

FUEL HAS BEEN POOLING ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP NEAR SENDING, FOR MONTHS I WOULD SMELL GAS AFTER FILLING UP OR EVEN AT ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK. ASSUMING I HAD PUT IN TOO MUCH; INSIDE FUEL FILLER COVER IT WARNS NOT TO TOP OFF TANK. SOMETHING I DIDN'T SEE UNTIL AFTER THE SMELL OF FUMES. UNDER MB'S PZEV WARRANTY IT STATES THAT IF THIS IS A PART THAT COULD BECOME DEFECTIVE AND HAS GIVEN OWNERS 15 YEARS/150,000 WHICHEVER COMES FIRST TO FILE A WARRANTY CLAIM AND HAVE IT REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT COMMISSION FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY BELIEVE THAT I HAVE NOT MAINTAIN SERVICE OF MY VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO A COMMENT MADE BY ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ( CALLS ARE RECORDED, DEBBIE WAS THE AGENT'S NAME AND CALL WAS MADE APPROXIMATELY AROUND 10:15 AM ON TUESDAY 2/19/2019. THE DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION PERFORMED AT PARK PLACE MOTORS CO. IN ARLINGTON TX, DETERMINED THAT IT WAS MY FUEL PUMP AND NOT THE SENDING UNIT, STATED IN THEIR WARRANTY ALL FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS ARE INCLUDED PROVIDED THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD. MY VEHICLE HAS 142,164 MILES AND IS JUST SHY OF 11 YEARS OLD. AFTER VIEWING AND RECEIVING REPORTS OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES HAVE THEIR VEHICLES FIXED, AGAIN I BELIEVE THIS TO BE DISCRIMINATORY ON THE PART OF THE DEALERSHIP AND MBUSA AND ASK THAT CONTACT BE MADE TO EITHER OR BOTH TO CLARIFY WHY MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF THEIR WRITTEN WARRANTY COVERAGE.

NHTSA ID

11181086

Incident

Feb 19, 2019

Mileage

142,164 mi

CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A BUSY CITY STREET, STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT, WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE I HAD TO PUMP THE PEDAL-TO BE SAFE I DECIDED TO TURN ONTO STREET AT INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT, CAR CAME TO A DEAD STOP IN MIDDLE OF STREET. THIS WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE FREEWAY ON RAMP THAT I WAS GOING TO. ANOTHER 1/2 MILE AND HAD I NOT DECIDED TO TURN OFF ON TO THE SIDE STREET THE CAR WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A FREEWAY WITH PROBABLE FATALITIES. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. FUEL PUMP IS INSIDE GAS TANK IN THIS MODEL. REPAIR WAS $3373.88. MERCEDES BENZ DEALER HAS PARTS IN STOCK FOR A 2008 MODEL. THIS IS IN ITSELF IS UNUSUAL AND SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE EXPECTING MULTIPLE FAILS. THERE ARE ALSO MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SAME DOING AN ONLINE SEARCH. SHOULD BE RECALLED IN MY OPINION.I HAVE THE REPAIR RECEIPT AND ALL MY PREVIOUS RECORDS FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11164142

Incident

Nov 2, 2018

Mileage

102,607 mi

FUEL TANK: STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AFTER FILLING UP TANK FROM REAR OF CAR, FUEL TANK AREA. GOOGLE SUGGESTS POSSIBLE MANUFACTURE'S RECALL. WITH HEAT EMITTING FROM EXHAUST AREA, COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FIRE... I'M AFRAID FOR MY WIFE AND KIDS'S SAFETY. IS THERE CURRENTLY AN ACTIVE RECALL? IF SO, TSB # PLEASE. IF NOT, PLEASE DULY NOTE ISSUES MENTIONED. THANK YOU. NATHAN.

NHTSA ID

11124332

Incident

Jul 31, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

DROVE THE CAR 20 MINUTES STARTED TO NOTICE SMELL OUT OF THE BACK SEAT GASOLINE 5 MIN LATER IT STALLED 2 STREETS FROM MY HOUSE. . TRYED STARTING THE CRANKING OVER BUT NO START. THE NEXT DAY SHOP CALLED TOLD ME THAT BOTH OF THE FUEL PUMPS IN THE GAS TANK ARE BAD. 1.500.00 DOLLAR REPAIR. IS THAT SAFE FOR FUEL PUMPS DO DO THAT

NHTSA ID

11089536

Incident

Apr 21, 2018

Mileage

1,274,000 mi

FUEL ODOR & FAIL ED FUEL PUMP ISSUE. WE TOOK IT GOODYEAR DEALER. & THEY DIAGNOSED THE BAD FUEL PUMP & REFERRED TO TSB BULLETIN # 9-47-10-63 FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY BY MERCEDES BENZ USA. WE CALLED TO CONFIRM IT & TOWED IT TO CLEAR LAKE MERCEDES DEALER.. THEY DENIED THE WARRANTY & SAID IT IS WIN SPECIFIC. THIS ISSUE SHOULD A RECALL NOT A WIN SPECIFIC ISSUE. OUR GOODYEAR SHOP TECH. IS REC. TO WRITE YOU IN THIS MATTER. FUEL ODOR & FAIL PUMP IS A BIG ISSUE ON THESE E 350 MODELS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ID

11089153

Incident

Mar 21, 2018

Mileage

149,385 mi