general problems of the 2008 Mercedes Benz CLS550

The failed component of the car was the drivers side fuel transfer pump. After noticing the faint smell of gas in my car I checked under the rear driver side passenger seat. I was shocked to find more than 16 fluid ounces of gas floating freely around the well of the gas pump. The insulation under the rear passenger seat is soaked in gas. I can only imagine what could’ve happened if there was an accident or if someone even sparked a cigarette in my car. Not only is this extremely dangerous, there are negative consequences that result from inhaling gas constantly while driving. Gas contains cancerous properties, people should not be subject to unknowingly driving around a car that is manufactured to the defect of releasing cancerous vapors. Who knows what damage inhaling gas fumes for the past months has done to me or my passengers. In the even that someone were to spark a cigarette in the car it was possible that the car could’ve caught fire. The passengers in the rear right seats would be affected the most, the insulation under their seat is soaked in gas. This problem has possibly been noticed by dealers and identified in a warranty that expired on 4/24/2023. This warranty was issued for fuel tanks and fuel components. I am not sure whether the gas pump was affected but the gas pump alone constitutes a recall. This is a very common problem as well, apparently there are multiple youtube videos demonstrating gas leaks in the back seat. Upon contacting dealer I was informed that they did not know if the gas pump was included in a warranty that expired in 4/24/2023. I would have to pay for an inspection to determine if the gas pump is related to the warranty. In the case that it was related the financial obligation to repair is my burden. The dealer wont inspect the vehicle unless I pay, I have documented photo and video of the gas well and the extent of the leakage. There was no warning or any indication that I was driving around with this dangerous issue.

Leaking fuel around the fuel sending unit under rear seat behind driver, filling the passenger compartment with gasoline fumes, after filling the car up with gasoline.

On March 10, 2012 my wife started the aforementioned vehicle and immediately began to smell gasoline fumes in the passenger compartment. As she exited the parking garage, the toxic fuel smell became unbearable and she immediately turned- around, re-entered the garage, quickly shut off the car and exited the vehicle for fear of fainting and / or an explosion. The mb rep explained to us that there was a failure in the fuel delivery system; which is accessible under the backseat of the passenger compartment; and the leakage caused fuel to be pumped into the passenger cabin and accumulate under the rear seat; thereby saturating the insulation, carpet and rear seat cushions. The mechanics replaced the fuel system; and reiterated that the gasoline leaked up into the passenger compartment (from the faulty fuel delivery system located under the back seat of the vehicle), saturated the carpet, the floor insulation as well as the actual seat cushions. In our opinion, a critical vehicle design safety feature (in the event of a collision) is not to permit fuel to be pumped into the passenger compartment; which would increase the likelihood of an interior explosion, and at a minimum impair the ability of the occupants to safely exit the vehicle, before succumbing to toxic fumes. The dealer service rep?s response was: ?mb has determined that the safest place to locate the fuel delivery system is under the back seat of the vehicle?. I implied that his response was not acceptable. Interestingly, the mb dealer service rep called us and said mb inc. Would cover the cost of the repair. However, repairing the passenger compartment damage and defective fuel system does not alleviate the cause of this dangerous situation.