RoadVitals

2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jan 23, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
53%
of 15 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Mercedes-Benz E550 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2025

The seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it’s filled. This creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. Unfortunately, Mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee.

NHTSA ID
11638060
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Fuel system
Filed May 3, 2024

I filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and I discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... I cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel Vapors and I'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. The Mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for free and I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be rectified before someone dies in an explosion... no warning lights showed up but it is a common problem on the E-Class due to a cracked fuel filter housing module.

NHTSA ID
11586911
Incident
Apr 26, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Sep 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF AUSTIN (6757 AIRPORT BLVD, AUSTIN, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVELING SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11258982
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 3, 2017

I HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO HAVE A FUEL LEAK.

NHTSA ID
10939483
Incident
Dec 23, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Jan 5, 2015

RELATED TO CASE# EA13003 I RECENTLY PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 E550 WITH 59K MILES IN DECEMBER 2014. AFTER FILL-UP, I NOTICED A FAINT FUEL SMELL ON THE DRIVERS REAR AREA NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE ALSO OPENED UP THE ACCESS HATCH AND NOTICED FUEL SEEPING FROM THE SENDING UNIT. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT ISSUES I HAVE SEEN IN REGARDS TO CASE #EA13003. THIS SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE TANK LEVEL GOES BELOW 3/4. *TR

NHTSA ID
10670070
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
60,213 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10554961
Incident
Oct 9, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2013

GAS SMELL INSIDE OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10554678
Incident
Dec 3, 2013
Mileage
67,174 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 21, 2013
1 injury reported

MOST OF THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. THE REASON IS THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE STARTED SMELLING "GAS" FUMES IN OUR GARAGE FROM OUR CAR. MY DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE STARTED PARKING OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER STARTED GETTING SICK SHE SAID FROM THE GAS FUMES. IT IS NOW VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MERCEDES E550 IS LEAKING FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH FROM AN EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT AND FROM A DAY TO DAY HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MANY BEDROOMS ARE ABOVE THE GARAGE LIKE WITH MY FAMILY. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT ASAP FROM NHTSA BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10548721
Incident
Sep 11, 2012
Mileage
56,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .