Fuel Pump problems of the 2004 Mercedes Benz E55

Driver side fuel pump sender has leak on top where fuel pump meets the top plastic assembly. Leaks when fuel tank is full.

Same situation identified in pe-12-001. Filled vehicle with fuel and left sitting in driveway. The next day, I noticed a strong fuel odor outside of vehicle and, upon opening the driver's door, was overwhelmed with fuel odor. After a quick online search, I found multiple references to fuel filter leak. I pulled out the back seat to investigate and found that the driver's side fuel filter assembly is fine, but passenger's side has approx 1/2 inch of liquid fuel standing in the filter assembly. Fuel has soaked through the cardboard/rubber cover and soaked the insulation above. It appears that the driver's side filter assembly was previously replaced (this was confirmed with service dept at dealership. They state that it was replaced in 2008 as part of TSB. ), but the passenger's side, which is now leaking, is of a different (and I presume older) design. I have read the response from hogan/lovells dated 4/19/12 and would like to note that the "tight seal" described on page 2 which is allegedly created when the "access ports" are "secured by six bolts and [a] gasket" is not sufficient to prevent fuel vapor from entering the passenger compartment, nor is it sufficient to prevent liquid fuel from soaking through the gasket, and into the insulation on the underside of the rear seat. Once the gasket and insulation above it are saturated with fuel, the interior of the car is unbearable and probably a severe fire risk. Nhtsa is welcome to come observe this in person on my vehicle.

2004 E55. Fuel sending unit is leaking visible gas under rear seat. Vivid gas smell in interior. 2004 E55. I understand there have been many many complaints about this specific problem yet it still to be recalled. I don't feel safe on long road trips or the car burning down. Reference NHTSA action number: pe12001.

Nhtsa action number: pe12001 bought the vehicle used 05/2012 with 95,000 miles. The vehicle has a strong odor of gasoline from rear seat area, strong odor of gasoline from under the vehicle, also if left overnight in closed garage (with fuel tank full), garage smells of gas. I have removed the metal fuel sender access cover under the rear seat and found a pool of gas, approx 20z around the electrical connector (have photos of this).

Started smelling gas after filling up and eventually found that the fuel sender/hose was leaking fuel. Fuel was also leaking and puddling up around the fuel pump and the fuel sender.

When you filled the tank up at any time, there would be a horrendous raw fuel smell until the fuel level dropped off of full. It was so bad I had to park the car outside instead of in the garage for fear of a fire starting and a subsequent explosion. I took it to the dealer and I had an extended warranty. The deductible was $200. They ended up having to replace the entire fuel tank, fuel pump and all related items to an updated model to get rid of the problem. I am still out the $200 deductible for my extended warranty.

Started smelling gas after filling up and eventually found that the fuel sender/hose was spraying fuel on the underside of the car/rear seat. After researching the problem I found that fuel leaks coming from and around the tank are very common and that there was a recall years ago to reinforce the sender/hose. Fuel was also leaking and puddling up around the fuel pump and the fuel sender. This is obviously a design/part flaw and needs to be addressed as it happens repeatedly to many people.

Reference NHTSA action number for multiple complaints on same issue pe12001 anytime the vehicle is filled over 3/4 of a tank of fuel, a very strong fuel odor is present inside of the car, outside of the car, and fuel puddles around the fuel sending unit under the rear seat. Sometimes the smell is so strong, that my family and I fear that the vehicle is no longer safe to drive due to the strong fumes of gas inside of the vehicle which I am sure is a serious fire hazard and accident waiting to happen. . Read more...

I have a 2004 mercedes amg E55. I purchased the car second hand from my neighbor at +/-33,000 miles. One week of ownership, I got a check engine light. I had access to a obd2 scanner and got the code for evap error. I stored the car overnight in my garage and woke up the following morning where the whole house reeked of fuel. I had recently filled up the night before. Being familiar with this mercedes vehicle I went over the fuel system from gas spout to gas tank. The smell was coming from inside the car under the rear drivers side passenger seat. Upon further inspection and removal of the seat,access panel. I could see gasoline puddling up on top of the fuel sender. I got some paper towels and dried it. That morning I bought a new gasket seal from the dealer to try and isolate the problem. That did not help. . . Next gas fill up the car continue to smell like fuel inside the cabin. I took it to a independent mechanic who performed the smoke test to see where the leak is coming from and sure enough it was from the top of the gas tank where it met the fuel sender. Upon taking the car to the dealer, I've been told I have to replace the entire gas tank, fuel pump, fuel sender and fittings to fix this problem. The dealer wants me to pay out of pocket the entire cost which is about $3,000. There still is a emissions warranty on the car which is good up to 8 years or 80,000 miles which they will not honor as they feel this issue doesn't qualify. They have just laughed at the situation and tried to downplay it. A lot of customers have been forced to pay out of pocket to cover this repair as they transport their kids in this car and that is very important. To prevent any further leaking, I only fill my car with gas halfway and have reset the check engine light with my scanner. Thank you.

(NHTSA action# pe12001) fuel leaking onto the ground from fuel filter assembly due to cracking flange assembly.