2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 Fuel system Problems

I am the owner of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 and am writing to formally express my concern regarding a persistent fuel leak issue I have experienced with my vehicle. Over the past months, I have spent more than $4,000 attempting to address this problem. Repairs have included the replacement of the fuel canister and the fuel pump. Despite these efforts, the vehicle continues to leak fuel from the area near the rear right tire, both when the vehicle is in motion and when it is parked. This issue presents a significant safety risk, not only to myself but to others on the road. I am aware that there is an existing recall for the 2014 E350 model related to similar fuel leakage problems. Given the similarities in design and the nature of the defect, I strongly urge Mercedes-Benz to investigate this matter and consider extending the recall to include the 2013 E350 models as well. I believe this is a critical safety matter that warrants immediate attention to prevent any potential accidents or hazards. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response and to a resolution that prioritizes customer safety.

NHTSA ID

11674131

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11673272

Incident

Jul 9, 2025

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that an abnormal, fuel odor was coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact later noticed a small leak coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the fuel leak was caused by severe corrosion to the subframe. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11495598

Incident

Nov 18, 2022

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the fuel odor was present on the outside of the vehicle. The contact did not see fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and after removing the rear seats from the vehicle, the mechanic became aware of a fuel leak inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V557000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11472473

Incident

Jun 21, 2022

Mileage

85,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while entering the vehicle, she noticed the smell of gasoline. The contact started the vehicle with no issues however, the gasoline odor was still in the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the fuel lines running underneath the rear passenger’s seat were leaking and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic referred the contact to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11465494

Incident

May 16, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

Gas smell from left rear of vehicle wheel well. As fuel smell inside of car

NHTSA ID

11444940

Incident

Dec 25, 2021

I smell gas in the garage after I fill up my vehicle. I do not over-fill the tank, I remove the gas filler nozzle when it turns off automatically. I feel this is an unsafe condition. I have not yet taken the vehicle to a dealer to investigate this problem. According to my research, this vehicle model has a history of this same complaint in earlier models and was repaired by the dealers no charge through model years 2009. The condition has obviously not been remedied after this defect was discovered.

NHTSA ID

11429987

Incident

May 3, 2021

A Summary of the May 9, 2021, event follows: 6:30 a.m: I Woke up, put on gym clothes and shoes and drove to gym (1 mile from home). 7:01:40 a.m. Turned into the gym parking lot and slowly inched into a parking space. (my Mercedes rides low in the front so I pull in slowly so the block will not scrape my bumper). 7:02:00 a.m. As I pull slowly into the parking space the car stalls and the engine begins revving very loud. I firmly press my right foot (foot was already on the brake as I was inching into the space) on the brake because the car is still making that revving sound. 7:02:15 a.m. The car is at a complete stop for some time. The engine begins revving even louder and surges forward (foot was still on the brake) four feet. The car hits the brick gym building and comes to a standstill. I turn off the engine and sit there stunned. ( A witness signed a statement and said "car was at a complete stop for some time...thought driver would open her door and get out but then the car suddenly surged forward and hit the building"). After getting out of my car and inspecting the wrecked car, I notice the gas cap is open and I shut it. The police show up, and say "no police report" will be made. I have some injuries (concussion, bruises over full torso and legs) but I treat patients with TBIs so self-diagnosed and treated my injuries without seeking additional medical attention. On May 9, 2021, I call CSAA and report the accident. After several conversations with CSAA Claims Advisor Karl Arnold, it appears the car frame is damaged, and repair costs exceed value of car. The building had no damage. I then attempted to access relevant data on the EDR and was misled by the Mercedes Fairfield dealership, Service Unit. I was told by Josh “the data is irretrievable, and you can’t get it”. I asked why would Congress pass the EDR in to law making EDRs mandatory and data belongs to owner, if it is not retrievable? He had no answer. [xxx] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFO

NHTSA ID

11418645

Incident

May 9, 2021

I NOTICED THE SMELL OF GAS IN THE GARAGE WHENEVER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE MERCEDES DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS LEAKING GAS. THE VEHICLE HAS A METAL GAS TANK AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BUILT INTO THE GAS TANK AND THEREFORE THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4209.65.

NHTSA ID

11416128

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Mileage

46,913 mi

FUEL LEAKING FROM RIGHT REAR AREA - WHEN CAR IS FILLED UP - I STOPPED WHEN PUMP CLICKED OFF - DID NOT OVERFILL - YOU HAD A EXTENSION OF WARRANTY ON MERCEDES UP TO 2009 BUT THIS 2013 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ITS UNDER THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SIDE - RIGHT WHERE A CAR SEAT WOULD BE FOR A KID - SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL !! 2013 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE EXTENTION BIG PROBLEM WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND 1ST TIME WE FILLED IT UP

NHTSA ID

10994369

Incident

Jun 8, 2017

Mileage

25,677 mi

AD BLU HEATER FAILURE WITH CHECK ENG LIGHT MULTIPLE FAILURES AND CODES.

NHTSA ID

10979202

Incident

Apr 11, 2017