. The Fuel Tank and components and/or system failed or malfunctioned.. After filling the gas tank, the odor of strong pungent gasoline fumes fills the cabin of the and lingers for some time in the car and garage until the gasoline level goes down after being driven for a few miles. *3The car has been taken to a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center and was told that the problem was the gas tank and system/components..The car was inspected by a certified Mercedes Benz Dealership Service Center Mechanic. There were NO warning lamps or messages on the dashboard or message center on car. The only symptoms of the problem was the strong odor of gasoline fumes after fuel fill ups.

- Florissant, MO, USA

After fueling up, a smell of gas occurs. Slight gas puddle forms under the car after every fuel up. Drops gas gauge down and after that no more smell of fuel but still slight puddle of gas after leaving the car parked. Noticed it about a month ago and it seems to get worse. Doesn't seem safe knowing the car is leaking fuel.

- Tipton, CA, USA

When my windows are down and im driving you can smell gasoline very strongly in the car. Even worse in the back seat area. Especially if my gas tank is filled. Im constantly getting a warning to check the gas cap and the gas light goes off flashing then my check engine light will go on.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

Fuel smell coming from within cabin first noticed October 2018 told it was probably was charcoal filter not a big deal when filling tank with fuel it sometimes happens, and was recently noticed when tires where changed that fuel smell and looked like leakage of gas. Was told this was a known defect and as the second owner was never informed in any capacity. This is a safety concern which in my opinion if they knew, all owners should have been notified asap. I am not sure what I can do, or can be done, but this is certainly not acceptable if it is a known defect. This was noticed when vehicle was not moving. I want the american public to know, we may have others out their with the same problem not knowing this. What a shame for Mercedes if they have not contacted people. I started reviewing what I could find on web sites, attached is a NHTSA document.

- Nashua, NH, USA

When filling fuel tank very strong smell of gas inside of car and outside. When to Mercedes dealership and explained the fault and they wanted $5000 to correct issue.found out there was a safety recall on this issue, and they refused to expedite as they said it was for 15 years and that had expired. No recall notices had been sent to me or the previous owner.I have had car for 4 years, previos owner had it for 6.contacted head office in atlanta still would not cover the issue

- Lighthouse Point, FL, USA

Gas tank leaks, car is 2 years out of coverage for gas tank. The original program did not leave much room for 2003 owners to be eligible. The tank leak at the top is an inherent design flaw that Mercedes admits is a problem but washes their hands of it after the program eligibility expiration. There is a noticeable gas smell coming from the left rear wheel area and the leak can be seen coming from the top of the tank when the fuel filter access plate is removed.

- Siler City, NC, USA

Daughter drives this car. I have owned it since 2005. Mercedes never notified us nor made us aware of an extended warranty on the defective fuel tanks. A mechanic told us about the warranty and told us to contact Mercedes immediately. February 2018 I contacted corporate office and they told me twice that I needed to have the car taken to Mercedes dealership and have them confirmed the issue. Twice Mercedes corporate office reps told me to drive it to dealership and have them evaluate the car, contact corporate for an " exception". I did just so. The car runs okay, however, the strong gas smell inside the car is frightening and I had the car towed to the Mercedes dealership because I could not chance my daughter dying in a automobile explosion. As a matter of fact, we have been renting cars from enterprise for my daughter for the past 2 months since her car is out of commission. For god's sake, she's our daughter and the car could explode! the dealership confirmed that the fuel tank is indeed defective and is eligible for the repair. However, the reps at corporate decided to not to extend the "exception" after all. Mercedes never notified us of the fuel tank defect/recall/warranty extension. Though it's drivable, I refuse to have my daughter risk her life. I did everything Corp office said I should do and now they are back peddling. They are making us pay for the roundtrip towing and this is unfair. Gross misrepresentation. Driving with a fuel tank leak is deadly. They need to honor this repair. They should not have instructed me to tow a car to their authorized dealership if they knew from the beginning that they were not going to make the exception.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

Fuel leaking to the inside of passenger compartment under access port under rear seat cushion, that's the location of the fuel pump. I made an appointment with tucson Mercedes Benz to inspect the car since I believed that a Mercedes recall would correct the problem. I had several discussions with service advisor mark schofield and he assured me twice that the recall is in place and they would fix the fuel system defects without charge. He called me this evening and told me all about why tucson Mercedes would not cover the repair, I was told the extended warranty program ended 2/21/2018. I bought the car on 4/5/18, filled it up with gas on 4/08/18 and the car was filled with fumes that night as well as in my garage. Tucson Mercedes first said that the tank was leaking at the vent tube between the left and right access points. He told me that the cost would normally be $3000 but he reduced it to $2000. I asked mark how the fuel could run across the top of the tank, climb the locking ring and puddle on top of the left side fuel pump? he also told me that Mercedes could not just replace a portion of the fuel system without replacing the entire fuel system, including the tank. Also, not true. He said that upon a second examination was made and there appears to be a crack on top of the fuel pump and now that's where the leak is coming from. Now his price to repair all is $770 + tax. After a few words more, the price dropped to $700 + tax. I feel that Mercedes should just fix my vehicle and call it good. This learned that this car had a fuel pump installed at 59,000 miles. I missed their self imposed cut off date by about 6 weeks, not so much time for such a serious manufacturing defect to health and safety. The fumes inside my car and garage could have caused a fire or worse yet, an explosion. The problem first appeared after the first time I filled the tank.

- Hereford, AZ, USA

Mercedes informed that they would not honor their warranty to cover their faulty fuel pumps. I have had several conversation with susan (executive referral manager) and she declined my request to pay for the invoice. My fuel pump failed and I had to have it replaced before the car had serious problems.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

Fuel smell coming from left rear fuel sending unit leaking

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was present in and around the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the failure occurred when the vehicle was fueled. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (lokey Mercedes-Benz, 19820 us hwy 19 N, clearwater, fl 33764) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank, fuel lines, and exhaust system failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the fuel tank and fuel lines would be covered under an extended warranty. Any additional parts or labor would be at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Hudson, FL, USA

My car have a strong smell a gasoline on the back seat every time im refueling. Some times I have to open all the windows so the smell goes away. And some times a get the message check filler cap but al ready change the filler cap and the message still some times appear.

- Astoria, NY, USA

Smells gasoline when car is parked in garage and sometimes when driving smeels gasoline in cabin..SRS restraints malfunction lights keeps coming on.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz E320. After the vehicle was refueled and parked, an abnormal fuel odor emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no physical evidence of a fuel leak outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,618.

- Eight Mile, AL, USA

After fuel filter replacement, vehicle operated fine for about 7 miles. While idling a couple of minutes in the driveway upon return from the short trip, the return line hose exiting the fuel filter expanded, ruptured, and sprayed fuel out at a high rate. After hose was repaired, fuel gushed out of evaporative canister discharge tube and purge valve canister. Vise grips placed on the rubber tube leading from the return line to the canister stopped the gusher. New fuel filter that was just installed (pronto PF5416) was suspected to be defective - causing excessive return line fuel volume. With the poor design of the return line plumbing and restriction back to the tank, the excess volume was piling up in the evaporative canister and out the purge valve in a massive gushing leak. Once a second new fuel filter was fitted (purolator F65416), vehicle ran properly again without leakage - however, severe leakage from the top of the evaporative canister was noted during a fillup attempt shortly afterwards. This never occurred in the prior to the filter replacement. From all indications, the design is very poor and susceptible to any conditions which result in excessive return line fuel volume. The amount of fuel pouring out of the top of the evaporative canister assembly and discharge was indeed a fire and environmental hazard - the equivalent of an open fuel pump output discharge. In addition to all of this, during the filter replacement/testing process, loud banging was heard from the tank itself. Removal of the gas cap resulted in a massive pressure release. From my observations as a mechanic with over 25 years experience servicing foreign cars, the ventilation and fuel pressurization system on this vehicle is improperly designed and unsafe. Vehicle was on a lift while being serviced.

- Orleans, MA, USA

Recently on today 7-12-16 at 174,000 miles the display on my 2003 E320 4S Mercedes Benz all of a suddenly displayed an illuminated message in bright white : "brake" service brake visit workshop. My vehicle was in motion on a busy major highway when the hydraulic brake system exhibited this message. Shortly prior to this messaging, I notice my brakes were more hard to apply pressure, . I am glad I wasn't driving fast, this could have been a serious tragedy to myself as well as those others on the expressway just a as I was. 2. problem with my gas tank after I fill the tank, the gas fumes become so intense after parking this vehicle inside my garage. I didn't know there were a recall. Is this fuel safety hazard recall still in effect" if so, whom do I contact to have it repaired at no cost to me the owner? 3. 4 months prior in March 2016 I incurred a problem with the coolant fluid leaking into the transmission resulting in a major monetary expense out of my pockets above $5000. Can this be covered by the manufactuer so I may be able to be reimbursed"

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

Strong gasoline smell inside cabin has grown progressively worse over past year. Now it is constant - not just when the tank is filled. Have never added more gas after the nozzle shutoff when refilling - never top off the tank. I did not receive a letter from mb in Jan 2015 as other have reported on internet. I have the car serviced exclusively at the mb dealership. The 2008 fuel recall was installed about 4 years ago.

- Waynesboro, TN, USA

I have owned my 2003 E320 for over 10 years now, having purchased it as a certified used vehicle with approximately 19,000 miles. Everytime I park it in my garage after filling up the fuel tank, my garage smells of gasoline, eventhough there has never been a visible leak onto the garage floor. Recently after I refueled, the smell was no longer just outside the vehicle, but had now permeated into the cabin. These fumes have made it impossible to drive the car, because they are so overwhelming.

- Spokane, WA, USA

Vehicle presented with red light indicating to take vehicle to workshop in red. Braking was extremely difficult, SRS system stalled the vehicle, emergency mode was activited, we were unable, at first to turn on the ignition switch. The vehicle operated as if it was paralyzed. We finally got the vehicle to run and turned vehicle into mb dealership. We were informed that the sbc unit was in need of replacement, we were beset with $1,800 repair. The vehicle is very dangerous to drive if you are not prepared for longer stopping distances, thankfully my husband was able to get the vehicle to the dealership. I found myself not strong enough to press on the brake pedal for adequate braking distance. Fuel: Upon fueling vehicle, the fuel handle will stop and immense amounts of fuel will spurt out from fuel tank. There is also a smell of gas/fuel in the cabin after fill up. This creates a huge spill and notification to attendant. Takes up a great amount of time to fill up tank. Surprisingly we haven't been charged for fuel spills. SRS: Light on for safety response system, shortly after visit at mb dealership. Have not taken vehicle to mb dealership for fear of another expensive repair.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes Benz E320. After refueling the vehicle, there were strong fuel fumes emitting from inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA