IllustrationTHE AIR STRUT SUSPENSION HAS FAILED ON LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT
2003 Mercedes Benz E320
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most E320 years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Mercedes Benz E320 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 42.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E320 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
120–25K
1125–50K
2450–75K
3375–100K
58100–150K
24150K+
162 reports with mileage · 52 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.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
Suspension complaints
11 reportsI HAVE PROBLEM WITH FRONT SUSPENCION ON FLOOR
I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2003 MERC. BENZ E320, IT'S BEEN A CRAZY RIDE! HERE'S A LIST OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT HAPPENED TO ME OVER THE COURSE OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY I STILL DO. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL IN TOW AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME SE…
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I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2003 MERC. BENZ E320, IT'S BEEN A CRAZY RIDE! HERE'S A LIST OF DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT HAPPENED TO ME OVER THE COURSE OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY I STILL DO. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY LITTLE GIRL IN TOW AND MY BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME SEVERAL TIMES, MY BATTERY DIES CONSTANTLY, I HAD AN ISSUE WHEN AFTER I PUMPED GAS YOU COULD SMELL FUEL BOTH INSIDE MY CAR & OUTSIDE OF MY CAR, I LITERALLY ONE TIME HAD FUEL POURING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR THAT ENDED ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. (THANK GOD I DON'T SMOKE!) MY SUSPENSION IS CONSTANTLY RATTLING, I HAVE WATER THAT LEAKS ON MY FEET WHEN I DRIVE OCCASIONALLY AND SOMETIMES I HAVE HEAT IN THE WINTER AND SOMETIMES I DON'T. I ALWAYS HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND AS SOON AS I FIX ONE, ANOTHER ONE COMES ON. I CURRENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH CODE PO134, PO135 AND HAD THE O2 SENSOR CHANGED, THEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND NOW I HAVE CODES PO171 & PO174 THAT I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET FIXED BECAUSE IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF ISSUES. MY BATTERY DRAINS WHEN MY ELECTRIC SEATS ARE PLUGGED IN AND SO I HAVE TO HAVE THEM UNPLUGGED TO SAVE MY BATTERY. DID I MENTION MY BACK TIRE BLEW OUT ON INTERSTATE 95 AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. IT'S DEVASTATING TO PAY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU DO FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL, IT'S PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE AND IS A MESS UNDER THE HOOD! IS IT NORMAL WHEN YOU HAVE THE AC ON FOR IT TO SOUND LIKE AN AIRPLANE READY FOR TAKE OFF? I'M TIRED OF INVESTING ALL KINDS OF MONEY INTO THIS CAR, I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I CAN'T EVEN PASS MY VA. STATE EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE OF ALL THESE ERROR CODES (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MALFUNCTIONS) AND THE STATE DOESN'T EVEN FIND MY CAR WORTHY OF BEING ON THE ROADS. *TR
LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND THE CAR VEERED ABRUPTLY TO THE LEFT APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET. THE CAR SHOULD'VE BEEN TOWED, BUT I WAS SO CLOSE TO MITCH CARRS'S THAT I DROVE IT VERY SLOWLY TO THEM. *TR
PROBLEM #1). THE INTERIOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE A CHROME TAPE OF SOME TYPE THAT COVERS THE HANDLES. THIS TAPE OVERTIME COMES OFF ON THE INSIDE AND IT IS EXTREMELY SHARP LIKE A RAZOR. I CUT MY FINGER TWICE ON THE DRIVER-SIDE AND A PASSENGER GOT CUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A YEAR LATER. I CONTACTED MERCEDES ABOUT TH…
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PROBLEM #1). THE INTERIOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE A CHROME TAPE OF SOME TYPE THAT COVERS THE HANDLES. THIS TAPE OVERTIME COMES OFF ON THE INSIDE AND IT IS EXTREMELY SHARP LIKE A RAZOR. I CUT MY FINGER TWICE ON THE DRIVER-SIDE AND A PASSENGER GOT CUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A YEAR LATER. I CONTACTED MERCEDES ABOUT THIS AND THEY WOULDN'T DO OR OFFER ANYTHING. PROBLEM #2). THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUN VISORS OVERTIME GET VERY VERY STIFF AND WILL NOT GO BACK ALL THE WAY UP. MY WIFE CAN NOT EVEN MOVE THEM AT ALL. I ALSO VERBALLY REPORTED THESE PROBLEMS TO PENSKE MERCEDES IN WEST COVINA, CA TO MY SERVICE WRITER AND HE STATED "YES WE ARE AWARE AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON THOSE ITEMS". HE WANTED TO CHARGE ME $275 FOR EACH SUN VISOR TO BE REPLACED AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE LABOR TO INSTALL THEM. PROBLEM #3). LOWER BALL JOINTS GO OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY AND IS ALSO A "KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM". *TR
STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL...I AM NOT TOPPING OFF THE TANK WHEN I REFUEL...DEALERSHIP STATES I NEED ENTIRE GAS TANK REPLACED AT A COST OF 3000.00..I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN MARCH 2011 WITH APPROX 107,000 MILES. *TR
MY 2003 MERCEDES E320 HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND STRUTS STARTED TO PRESENT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 78,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE PARKING PRAWNS DUE A LEAK IN THE BACK OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE BUSHING ON THE LEFT SIDE ALSO NEEDS T…
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MY 2003 MERCEDES E320 HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION AND STRUTS STARTED TO PRESENT PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW AT 78,000 MILES, I'M BEING TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE PARKING PRAWNS DUE A LEAK IN THE BACK OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE BUSHING ON THE LEFT SIDE ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I JUST HAD A BUSHING REPLACED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, WHICH WAS A BIT PRICEY. WHEN THEY REPLACED ONE OF THE BUSHINGS UNDER WARRANTY A FEW YEARS AGO, THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THEM. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS WITH THIS CAR. I PURCHASED IT WITH ONLY 37 MILES ON IT IN SEPTEMBER 2003, BUT REPLACEMENT OF A NUMBER OF PARTS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY NOW LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR WAS A LEMON FROM THE BEGINNING. IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE THE AIR PUMP REPLACED AT 73,000 MILES? AGAIN, THAT WAS A PRICEY REPAIR -- $1100.00. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES E320 WHICH I BOUGHT FROM COGGIN MOTORMALL IN FT. PIERCE. I HAVE PUT ONLY 5000 MILES ON CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP 2 TIMES. FIRST THE FRONT THRUSTS AND RODS WERE BAD AND NOW THE CAR IS STALLING ON ME, ONCE WITH MY SON IN CAR. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILL…
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I HAVE A 2003 MERCEDES E320 WHICH I BOUGHT FROM COGGIN MOTORMALL IN FT. PIERCE. I HAVE PUT ONLY 5000 MILES ON CAR AND IT HAS BEEN IN SHOP 2 TIMES. FIRST THE FRONT THRUSTS AND RODS WERE BAD AND NOW THE CAR IS STALLING ON ME, ONCE WITH MY SON IN CAR. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, I LOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED IN THESE 2 FAILURES. IT HAS STALLED ON ME 4 TIMES AND NOW I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND NOW THE BALL JOINTS ARE BAD. I HEAR THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE STRUTS AND JOINTS 200901002 ?? THE CAR ONCE CAME ON AND SAID REAR BRAKE FAILURE AS WELL. HOW DOES A CAR DEALERSHIP SELL A VEHICLE TO A CUSTOMER WITH KNOWING THAT IT COULD KILL A FAMILY? THEY SAID THEY INSPECTED IT.. THIS IS GOING TO KILL ME AND MY SON.. SOLVE THAT, I WONT DRIVE THIS CAR.. MERCEDES REALLY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE DANGEROUS THINGS.. IT IS GOING TO COST ANOTHER 1000 DOLLARS TO FIX AND I CANT AFFORD IT. *TR
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE FRONT RT. SIDE SUSPENSION BEGAN TO SINK. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO TAKE A LOOK AND NOTICED THE AIRBAG SUSPENSION HAD COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I TRIED PRESSING A FEW BUTTONS TO RAISE THE SUSPENSION AND NOTHING. THE COLLAPSE OF THE AIRBAG SUSPENSION WAS INSTANTANEOUS AND WITH BRIEF NOTICE. *TR
SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THE MERCEDES BENZ AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEMS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, PLEASE CHECK CAR OWNER FORUMS AS THERE ARE MANY CARS AS NEW AS 2007 AND 2008'S THAT HAVE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUES, THESE CARS ARE PRONE TO AIRMATIC SUSPENSION PROBLEMS FROM THE C CLASS SPORT MODELS TO THE E AND S CL…
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SAFETY AND RELIABILITY OF THE MERCEDES BENZ AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEMS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, PLEASE CHECK CAR OWNER FORUMS AS THERE ARE MANY CARS AS NEW AS 2007 AND 2008'S THAT HAVE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUES, THESE CARS ARE PRONE TO AIRMATIC SUSPENSION PROBLEMS FROM THE C CLASS SPORT MODELS TO THE E AND S CLASSES AS WELL, I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH MASS REPAIR AND SAFETY ISSUES, HOWEVER MOST OR ALL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE AIRMATIC SUSPENSIONS WILL AT SOME POINT HAVE REPAIRS THAT CAN RESULT IN THE CAR DROPPING TO THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING, WE ARE SPEAKING CARS THAT ARE BY MOST STANDARDS CONSIDERED TO BE LOW MILEAGE VEHICLES, MY CAR HAS 64K MILES AND IS A MERCEDES 2003 E320, THE FRONT AIRSPRINGS GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, YOU WILL RECEIVE A DASH WARNING ONLY AFTER THE SUSPENSION HAS GIVEN OUT,. THERE ARE 4 AIRSPRINGS FOR MY CAR AT A REPAIR COST FOR THE FRONT AIRSPRINGS AT A COST OF $1,500.00 PER SIDE, AND KNOWING THAT THERE ARE 2 MORE AIRSPRINGS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR THAT COULD GIVE OUT WITHOUT WARNING RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE ONCE AGAIN, SO YOU LITERALLY HAVE FOUR POSSIBILITIES OF SUSPENSION FAILURE, YOU WILL BE AT THE MERCY OF A FLATBED TOW TRUCK, AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARS AS THEY SIT SO LOW TO THE GROUND THAT IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TOW, KNOWING THAT THE RUBBER BELLOWS ON THE SUSPENSION OF THESE CARS ARE VERY FRAGILE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED CAUSING MASS FAILURE OF THE AIRSPRING UNIT, THE UNIT IS SOLD AS A DEALER ONLY ITEM AT A COST OF $1,000.00 EACH FOR EACH FRONT SIDE AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED..THE FACT IS THAT THE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS ARE FAULTY WHEN YOU HAVE SO MANY MASS FAILURES....MY CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME AND FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, WOULD IT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTABLE HAD THE SUSPENSION FAILED OR DROPPED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I AM BLESSED TO HAVE NOT HAD THE SUSPENSION FAIL WHILE DRIVING, AS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY SITUATION..... *TR
Official recalls
224V874000 · 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.
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