After fueling the vehicle there is a strong smell of fuel almost like it is leaking.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz 320E. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she noticed a strong gasoline fuel odor around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated that the fuel pump would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. Updated 05/08/13 updated 05/22/2013

- Corona Del Mar, CA, USA

When we fill up the car with gas we have a residual smell of gasoline upon return to our garage. This does not happen if we do not fill it up fully. We thought we must have a leak somewhere, but are not sure and although we discussed it with our mechanic, we have had no resolution to date.

- Carpinteria, CA, USA

Strong smell of gas in garage after a fuel fill-up.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

Mercedes E320 2004 smells like gasoline in my garage, especially left side (though fuel door on right). I took to my mechanic who told me gasoline puddling on top of tank and I needed fuel pump, fuel pump seals left and right, fuel pump bracket and cable harness. Spent $625 to fix. I saw in newspaper yesterday (March 20, 2013) NHTSA has received 533 complaints regarding fuel leaks regarding Mercedes. I think there is something wrong.

- Austin, TX, USA

Car started reading SRS airbag malfunction (still needs to be repaired) car is sometimes unable to read how much gas is in the vehicle. Car couldn't pass emissions. Check engine light on.the car smells of a strong gas odor. Unable to park the car in the garage because of the strong smell. Every time the tank is filled with gas the car presents a strong gas odor until it gets below half a tank. Mercedes wanted to charge me $4000 to have it fix so I took my car to a foreign car repair shop who charge me $1,300. Problem fixed, however I recently took my car to Mercedes because my check engine light came back on so they charged me $2,100 to fix that along with regular maintenance.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

A strong smell of fuel was present after starting the vehicle in my driveway. Checked the vehicle for leaks and found none. The following day, the same occurred in my driveway but fuel seeped from the rear of the vehicle when I backed up. Took the car to my Mercedes mechanic who inspected the vehicle and replaced the fuel pump and lines located above the fuel tank.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

Reference NHTSA action # PE12001 February 8, 2013 I bought a car from a dealer. On a next day I filled full tank and found gasoline smell from driver side next to the rear door. I did some research on internet and found many similar issue. To verify if I have same problem I raise a rear seat cushion, unscrew 6 bolts on small bay from driver side to get access to fuel sending unit and found a crack on it along with gasoline spilling over.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that she could smell gasoline fuel from the exterior and interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who inspected the failure and advised that there was a fracture in the fuel tank, which needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

NHTSA action# PE12001 heavy fuel smell for several days after filling vehicle up with fuel.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

I noticed a strong gas smell in the cabin. There was a pool of gas when I removed the rear seat. It came out of the top of the fuel tank. I also got a obe2 error code. NHTSA should do something to protect citizens.

- Duluth, GA, USA

When the gas tank is filled it results in a bad gas odor smell.

- Torrance, CA, USA

Had to replace the fuel pump now I have to replace the fuel tank. Can not fill my fuel tank if so the fuel smell fills my home because I park in the garage. Took it to my mechanic and was told to watch for flames it could cause serious problems. Please help with this issue.

- Harvey, LA, USA

We recently purchased a 2004 E320 with 71000 miles in August 2012. Last week, now with 74000 miles, we noticed a strong gas smell in the car. After doing some research online and in Mercedes forums we concluded that it may be the fuel unit. We pulled the rear seat and took off the cap and noticed a pool of gas, right under where our 2 yr olds car seat is, about 2 cups that I took out by soaking numerous papertowels.I also took pictures just in case it may be needed it the future. Throughout all my searches online I've noticed that this problem is very common in the E class and numerous people have tried to resolve it through Mercedes but nothing has been done. A recall was issued for the E55 trim but no other, which makes us wonder why. We will not drive it until it gets fixed (as of today it has not been ) because we feel it is not safe for our family to have a pool of gas with electrical wires right beneath our seats.

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

My 2004 Mercedes Benz E-320 began emitting a strong odor of gasoline in 2010 and was taken to the local dealership (schumacher Mercedes in scottsdale, Arizona) for inspection when it was determined that there was a leak in the fuel tank and that it needed to be replaced along with the left sender pressure sensor and tank fittings. The vehicle had approximately 60,000 miles at this time and was outside of the initial warranty so the $2,500 repair was undertaken. Approximately 2 years later and 40,000 miles later, the same symptoms returned and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealership for inspection. It was determined once again that the same problem was occurring and the fuel level sensors were leaking fuel and needed to be replaced again. The cost for this repair was estimated to be $1,200 and this time the repair was rejected. The service advisor at the dealership claimed this is a common problem with these cars and there was nothing they could do about it. The vehicle had always been maintained by the dealership since the beginning and apparently there have been no recalls issued that we were aware of for these malfunctions and defects. I have contacted Mercedes corporate office and they opened up an investigation only to determine that the dealership acknowledged the problem with the vehicles but neither party was willing to accept responsibility for the defect and no additional assistance would be available or commissioned for me. This is a major safety issue and should not be considered a common issue or routine maintenance for any car, let alone a Mercedes Benz. If something does not get rectified with this epidemic malfunction of these vehicles, it could lead to a major accident or even death.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E320. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong gasoline fuel odor once the fuel tank was filled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and located the failure as the fuel tank being cracked due to defective material. The fuel tank was replaced; however the failure was not corrected and the vehicle continued to release a strong gasoline fuel odor. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who performed a diagnostic and then advised that the fuel sending unit had failed. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 65,523 and the current mileage was 105,190.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes Benz E-320. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel from the top of the fuel tank, causing an overpowering gasoline odor inside the vehicle from the rear driver's side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the top of the fuel tank was fractured and would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. There was an investigation under NHTSA item number: PE12-001 (fuel system) that could have been related to the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 35,000.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

After filling up fuel, but not topping off, there is a very strong odor of fuel in the cabin. After evaluation the fuel sending unit is leaking severely and the seal shows signs of leaking. Only 76,400 miles on a 2004 E320 dealer quoted $2500 for replacement of the sending unit, new seals and new fuel tank.

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA

Whenever I fill up my gas tank, I get a very strong gas odor in the car. Its very strong in the back seat and around the rear driver wheel on the outside. It goes away once my tank gets to 3/4 full approximately. My kids are in the backseat in their car seats, inhaling these fumes. Now my wife is pregnant, and she inhales these fumes too. The dealer wants to charge an arm and a leg. I need help.

- Houston, TX, USA

I came out to my garage one morning to find a my car wreaking of fuel. I decided to drive the car around for a few to see if it the pungent odor would go dissipate altogether. During this time, I took it to my mechanic to let him do a quick once-over before he left for the day. He stated that there was fuel leaking onto my exhaust. Being that he didn't have the tools and whatnot to replace the sending unit, I had it towed to Mercedes Benz. I was not going to let my girlfriend drive the car to the dealership. No way, no how. Skyland automotive(my local mecedes Benz dealership) found a puddle of fuel under my back seat. They replaced the fuel sending unit partially under my third party warranty. I, however, had to pay roughly $500 out of pocket. I have heard of this issue happening on many W211 E class cars, it has happened to some more than once. I'm at 7X, xxx miles now and definitely don't want to have to go through this again. Fuel leaking onto the ground is bad enough, but leaking onto my exhaust isn't to be tolerated. It's downright dangerous. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brevard, NC, USA