IllustrationWHILE DRIVING, RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES VIBRATIONS FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. THE LEAK ALSO CREATED A JERKING PROBLEM WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LOW GEARS. THE ISSUE WITH THE FAULTY RADIATOR IS GOING TO TAKE OVER $10,000 TO REPAIR.
2003 Mercedes Benz E500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most E500 years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes Benz E500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 50.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
1125–50K
1850–75K
2975–100K
31100–150K
11150K+
101 reports with mileage · 24 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
125 reportsAIRMATIC SUSPENSION LEAK CAUSED CALL TO PULL TO ONE SIDE. COULD HAVE PULLED ME LEFT OF CENTER, LUCKILY, ON A SIDE STREET AT FAILURE POINT. NO WARNING AT ALL. CAR DEPICTED "STOP, VEHICLE TOO LOW" AS WARNING IN DASH AFTER THE FAILURE. CAR REQUIRED TOWING. VEHICLE HAS 61000 MILES ON IT. FRIENDS AT WORK HAVE SIMILAR CAR AND MO…
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AIRMATIC SUSPENSION LEAK CAUSED CALL TO PULL TO ONE SIDE. COULD HAVE PULLED ME LEFT OF CENTER, LUCKILY, ON A SIDE STREET AT FAILURE POINT. NO WARNING AT ALL. CAR DEPICTED "STOP, VEHICLE TOO LOW" AS WARNING IN DASH AFTER THE FAILURE. CAR REQUIRED TOWING. VEHICLE HAS 61000 MILES ON IT. FRIENDS AT WORK HAVE SIMILAR CAR AND MOST HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING ON I-65 FROM LAFAYETTE TO INDIANAPOLIS IN MY 2003 E-500 MERCEDES- BENZ. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY'S POSTED 70 MPH SPEED THE CAR SUDDENLY PULLED FROM THE FAST, LEFT LINE THAT I WAS TRAVELING INTO THE RIGHT LINE CASING THE OTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE RIGHT LINE TO TURN INTO AN EMERGENCY SHOULDER AND CONSEQUENTLY IN TO …
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I WAS TRAVELING ON I-65 FROM LAFAYETTE TO INDIANAPOLIS IN MY 2003 E-500 MERCEDES- BENZ. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY'S POSTED 70 MPH SPEED THE CAR SUDDENLY PULLED FROM THE FAST, LEFT LINE THAT I WAS TRAVELING INTO THE RIGHT LINE CASING THE OTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE RIGHT LINE TO TURN INTO AN EMERGENCY SHOULDER AND CONSEQUENTLY IN TO THE DITCH IN COLLISION AVOIDANCE MANEUVER. THE REASON FOR MY VEHICLE'S SUDDEN CHANGE IN STEERING AND HANDLING CHARACTERISTIC WAS AN UNEXPECTED, INSTANTANEOUS FAILURE OF AN AIR STRUT ON THE FRONT/RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MY ON BOARD COMPUTER NEVER INDICATED ANY MALFUNCTIONS UNTIL THE MOMENT OF AN ACTUAL INCIDENT. MY CAR IS WELL, DEALER MAINTAINED 2003 MERCEDES E-500 WITH ONLY 36,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE M-B DEALER NEVER INDICATED A NEED TO REPLACE AIR SHOCKS FOR ANY REASONS. AFTER THE NEAR COLLISION EXPERIENCE I HAVE RESEARCHED AN INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT THE PREMATURE AIR SHOCKS FAILURE IS A VERY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AMONG THE OWNERS OF MB VEHICLES WITH AIR SUSPENSION. I'M AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF E-500 AND AFTER THIS TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE I HAVE LOST A CONFIDENCE IN SAFETY OF THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE BECAUSE THE OTHER SHOCKS/STRUTS COULD SUDDENLY FAIL THE SAME WAY THE FIRST ONE DID. ARE THE AIR STRUTS ARE HAVING A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT? THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND LOCAL DEALER IS ASKING OVER $ 1800 TO REPLACE A STRUT. THANK YOU. *TR
BRAKE PUMP FAILURE ON 2003 MERCEDES E500, NO ACCIDENT, LOWER BRAKING POWER, LONG DISTANCE FOR BRAKING, WARNING MESSAGE ON DASH. HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. DEALER INFORMED THAT SINCE VEHICLE HAS A SALVAGE TITLE, THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WILL NOT BE PERFORMED WITHOUT COST. CAMPAIGN 2005 070007. *TR
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RESERVOIR FLUID LEAKS AND ALSO CAUSING WARNING MESSAGE TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. NO EVENT CAUSED IT TO CRACK OR LEAK. HAD CALLED MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE ADVISER HAD SAID MANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE HAS OCCURRED. NO CONSEQUENCES HAS HAPPENED FROM THE LEAK BUT IN A LUXURY CAR IT SHOULD NOT HA…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RESERVOIR FLUID LEAKS AND ALSO CAUSING WARNING MESSAGE TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. NO EVENT CAUSED IT TO CRACK OR LEAK. HAD CALLED MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND SERVICE ADVISER HAD SAID MANY OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE HAS OCCURRED. NO CONSEQUENCES HAS HAPPENED FROM THE LEAK BUT IN A LUXURY CAR IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION HAS BEEN DONE BUT DEALERSHIP COULD ONLY REPLACE IT AT A COST. *TR
I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES E-500. BOTH SUN VISORS FAILED IN 2007 AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THEY SIMPLY SEIZED IN PLACE AND CAN NOT BE MOVED. MERCEDES HAD REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VISORS AS PART OF THE WARRANTY CITING MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. THE REPAIR COST IS OVER $800. I THINK VISORS AND OTHER INTERIOR EQUIPMENTS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 4…
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I OWN A 2003 MERCEDES E-500. BOTH SUN VISORS FAILED IN 2007 AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME. THEY SIMPLY SEIZED IN PLACE AND CAN NOT BE MOVED. MERCEDES HAD REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VISORS AS PART OF THE WARRANTY CITING MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. THE REPAIR COST IS OVER $800. I THINK VISORS AND OTHER INTERIOR EQUIPMENTS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 4 YEARS! *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 12 IN BATON ROUGE, A DUMP TRUCK MERGED INTO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME SPREADING SMALL ROCK SIZED DEBRIS EVERYWHERE. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE EXIT BEFORE MY PLANNED EXIT IN EFFORT TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE. I AVOIDED QUARTER SIZE ROCKS BY DRIVING SLIGHTLY ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I EXPERIENCED THE VIBRATI…
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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 12 IN BATON ROUGE, A DUMP TRUCK MERGED INTO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME SPREADING SMALL ROCK SIZED DEBRIS EVERYWHERE. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE EXIT BEFORE MY PLANNED EXIT IN EFFORT TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE. I AVOIDED QUARTER SIZE ROCKS BY DRIVING SLIGHTLY ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE I EXPERIENCED THE VIBRATION CREATED FROM THE SHOULDER GROOVES IN THE ROAD AND ONE SMALL RAISED BUMP FROM THE BLACKTOP. THIS LASTED A SPLIT SECOND AND THEN BAM!, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I BECAME IMMEDIATELY DISORIENTED AS TO THE NATURE OF THE EVENTS. I PULLED OVER AND EXAMINED ANY DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR. THERE WAS NONE OTHER THAN SOME WINDSHIELD DINGS AND HOOD CHIPS TO THE PAINT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT ONE MILE HOME AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID NOT HIT ANY DEBRIS TO MY KNOWLEDGE NOR DID ANYTHING OTHER THAN SMALL ROCKS HIT MY CAR. I FEEL CONFIDENT THE RAISED BUMP ON THE BLACKTOP, GIVEN SIZE AND HEIGHT OF THE BUMP, SURELY COULD NOT CAUSE FOR THIS THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. *TR
2003 E500 MERCEDES WITH A 60,000 MLS AT THE TIME THE AIR CONTROL IN THE BACK STARTED TO ACT BY IT SELF TURNING THE HEATER ON AT HIGH; IT WAS POSSIBLE TO RESET BY THE FRONT CONTROL BUT IT WOULD GO BACK A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE DAY. KNOW THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT OF THE CAR HAS FAILED; REPAIR COST $2200 AND 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. *…
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2003 E500 MERCEDES WITH A 60,000 MLS AT THE TIME THE AIR CONTROL IN THE BACK STARTED TO ACT BY IT SELF TURNING THE HEATER ON AT HIGH; IT WAS POSSIBLE TO RESET BY THE FRONT CONTROL BUT IT WOULD GO BACK A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE DAY. KNOW THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT OF THE CAR HAS FAILED; REPAIR COST $2200 AND 2 WEEKS IN THE SHOP. *TR
2003 E500 WITH 64000MLS, MY FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUT BOTTOMED OUT FAILED WILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED.TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES AND IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; WE REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SHOCKS AND COMPRESSOR BUT 3 WEEKS LATER MY BACK SHOCKS FAILED TO. TOTAL COST O REPAIRS $3500 AND STILL NOT DRIVING ALRIGHT HARSH DRIVING AND LOTS…
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2003 E500 WITH 64000MLS, MY FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUT BOTTOMED OUT FAILED WILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED.TOOK THE CAR TO MERCEDES AND IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; WE REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SHOCKS AND COMPRESSOR BUT 3 WEEKS LATER MY BACK SHOCKS FAILED TO. TOTAL COST O REPAIRS $3500 AND STILL NOT DRIVING ALRIGHT HARSH DRIVING AND LOTS OF VIBRATION. *TR
DRIVING ON CITY SURFACE STREET. CAME TO FOUR WAY STOP. HEARD A POP LIKE THAT OF A TIRE OR BALLOON. CAR STARED TO MAKE WHISTLING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND SAW LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUT BOTTOMED OUT. TOWED TO DEALER AND ADVISED THAT LEFT FRONT AIRMATIC HYDROPNEMATIC STRUCT HAD FAILED. THAT AIR BLADDER HAD BLOWN. FURTHER …
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DRIVING ON CITY SURFACE STREET. CAME TO FOUR WAY STOP. HEARD A POP LIKE THAT OF A TIRE OR BALLOON. CAR STARED TO MAKE WHISTLING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND SAW LEFT FRONT AIR SUSPENSION STRUT BOTTOMED OUT. TOWED TO DEALER AND ADVISED THAT LEFT FRONT AIRMATIC HYDROPNEMATIC STRUCT HAD FAILED. THAT AIR BLADDER HAD BLOWN. FURTHER THAT AIRMATIC COMPRESSOR WAS BURNED OUT. I HAD DRIVEN A TOTAL OF 50 YARDS FROM BLOW OUT. TOTAL PARTS AND LABOR OVER $2,500.00 FROM MERCEDES BENZ OF WALNUT CREEK. *TR
Official recalls
324V874000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Nov 19, 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
22V954000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Dec 23, 2022
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
19V918000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Dec 20, 2019
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA13003 · Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
Opened Mar 15, 2013 · Closed Dec 19, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Additional source detail variants (6)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Fuel System, Gasoline
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of gasoline fuel both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refilling the fuel tank.Many of the complainants noted that the odor subsided or went away after driving some distance thereby lowering the fuel level in the tank.Other owners reported they would only fill the tank to about three quarters full to avoid the odor altogether.Some complainants alleged fuel leaked from the fuel filter/sender, located on the top of the fuel tank on the driver's side, and collected on top of the tank.There were also allegations that the fuel leaks were associated with an Emissions Recall Campaign (No. 2008020001) conducted by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) in 2008 on MY 2003-2006 E-Class and CLS-Class AMG models.The issue in the recall involved small cracks in the pressurized outlet fitting of the fuel filter/sender.AMG vehicles are high performance models that operate at higher fuel pressure and use a different fuel filter/sender and fuel pump than non-AMG models.Information on Recall No. 2008020001 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website at www.EPA.gov.ODI's investigation found various leak sources that are unrelated to the outlet fitting cited in the EPA recall campaign.Through interviews with complainants, field inspections of complaint vehicles, and the collection and laboratory analysis of failed parts, three identifiable leak sources were found.The component parts and areas of the leaks involve the On-Board Diagnostic fuel tank pressure sensor (located on top of the fuel filter/sender), the outlet of the centrally mounted fuel tank fuel filling limiter valve, and the top of the fuel pump. These areas of leakage are located at the top of the fuel tank in unpressurized parts of the fuel system. When the tank is full, fuel can slowly weep/seep from micro-cracks in these components and may collect in cavities on top of the filter/sender, pump, or tank.Contrary to complainant's allegations that fuel entered the inside of their vehicle under the rear seat bench, neither ODI nor Mercedes found a plausible way for this to occur.The fuel tank is located outside of the passenger compartment, attached to the underside of the vehicle.The service access ports for the fuel filter/sender (driver's side) and fuel pump (passenger's side) are located under the rear seat bench, covered by a steel plate, sealed and bolted to the vehicle floor.When technicians service the fuel filter/sender, which has a regularly scheduled 60,000 mile service interval, and/or the fuel pump, the work is performed from inside the vehicle by working through the access ports.By letter dated September 4, 2014, Mercedes has notified the agency that it will extend the original warranty coverage to 15 years and unlimited mileage on Covered Fuel Tank Components in E-Class vehicles in MY 2003-2009 and CLS-Class vehicles in MY 2006-2011.The covered fuel tank components for the warranty extension include the fuel tank, fuel filter/sender, fuel pump, and all related gaskets/seals and retention rings.ODI is closing this investigation based on the manufacturer's extend warranty of the affected fuel system components and in consideration that the nature of the leaks does not appear to present an un