Fuel Pump problems of the 2005 Mercedes Benz E55

Check engine light illuminated, code scan revealed code p0456. Inspection reveals fuel leakage at both the left fuel sender and the right fuel pump housings. Liquid fuel is externally evident along with the associated smell of raw fuel vapor. This is a very common problem with these vehicles and the manufacturer should be held responsible for repair of what is a potentially dangerous issue.

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz E55. The contact stated that he would smell gasoline inside the vehicle cabin after refueling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that the fuel tank and fuel pump were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. The current mileage was approximately 32,500. Updated 4/23/13 updated 05/23/2013.

Reference NHTSA action# pe12001 fuel smell strongest in left rear seat area. Removed seat, opened cover over fuel pump and found fuel sitting exposed. Removed the sitting fuel, and did research. Found many such complaints that match my situation. If I don't fill the fuel tank for an extended time, the fuel smell dissipates, but any time I fill the fuel tank, the noxious fuel smell returns within hours and is obvious as soon as opening the left rear door. Previous owner had similar problem and had fuel pump/sender replaced Apr. 2012 costing $1000.

Complaint # pe12001 I noticed occasional fuel smell originally 2-3 months ago. Initially smells were mild, now smells are noxious and getting worse. At my last 10k miles oil change, discussed the problem and progression getting worse with my mercedes certified mechanic. The rear seat was removed, to find the upper part of fuel cell under passenger seat, with deterioration of upper part of fuel cell plastic. There was actually a gas "puddle" visible that had seeped through the top of fuel cell/sending unit. Very dangerous situation, risk of fire, and also causing headaches from noxious smell of gas !!! what can be more dangerous, gas leaking, and seeping into the interior cabin of an automobile ??? please intervene with this dangerous problem with a recall before deaths occur to a very dangerous problem. Obviously a manufacturer defect in substandard parts purchased to a fuel cell from manufacturer Mercedes Benz !! this same problem has affected many Mercedes Benz vehicles. Thanking you in advance [xxx].

I filled up my car with gas on Friday, may 4, 2012 and then went out. I parked my car on the road and came back to it a couple hours later. There was an overpowering gasoline smell in the area as I walked by and thought it was another car or gas was dumped on the road. A couple hours later I got into my car and drove home. The gas smell was still in the area when I left. I parked my car at home and checked it on Saturday morning. The gas smell was less so I parked the car on the road thinking it would be safe. In the evening, I walked past my car and the gas smell was strong again. I called my local mercedes dealer on Monday morning regarding the leak and let them know about the gas smell and that the gas gauge dropped a couple of bars even though I had only drive 13 miles. I towed the car in and the service advisor called back with the result: there was a tear in the seal that is a part of the fuel pump/sending unit. They called back later to tell me "diagnosed the right side fuel pump has a hole burnt through housing causing fuel to leak out near connector housing". This situation is very dismaying and scary as the car had the same fuel pumps replaced under a recall in 2008. The worst thing is there was a burn in the fuel pump housing which could have ended in a much worse situation with a full fuel tank. . . Updated 05/17/12 updated 06/06/12 updated 06/22/2012.

My w211 began to smell of fuel while parked in my garage. Several weeks later, I awoke to a very strong gas smell in my garage. When I moved the car out, a puddle of gas was beneath my car and it literally poured fuel out as I backed it down the driveway. I took the car in for repair at the dealer and they replaced two seals and declared it good. The next day, I filled the car again and it smelled just as bad as before. The dealer replaced the seals and the pump modules and it took over a month to get the smell out of the car. Approximately six weeks later, I'm not noticing a faint smell of gas yesterday and a stronger smell today. I discussed with Mercedes Benz USA and they said that the car was repaired under a 'technical service bulletin' in 2008, but it's becoming clear that the problem is not going away. The fuel pump modules are in sealed compartments underneath the passenger seat, which communicates with the interior. Additionally, fuel can pool in this area - with the electrical connections for the fuel pumps.

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz E55. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor inside of the vehicle while parked. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions where the fuel pump was replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and the contact was informed that the fuel sending unit was leaking. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Reference NHTSA action number pe12001. 1st incident (2007), heavy fuel smell inside my car, noticed a lot of gas inside car underneath rear seats, and a lot of gas leaking underneath driver side rear tire and how fuel was leaking on exhaust by rear tire. Fletcher jones mercedes dealership las vegas fixed it under warranty via replaced fuel pump. 2nd incident (2009), exact same thing, dealer replaced fuel pump and this time also installed entire new fuel tank. 3rd incident (March 2012), same thing as 1st incident. This time I took it to an independent shop and they showed me the defective leaking fuel pump. I paid out of pocket to have it fixed this 3rd time. My 2005 E55 amg is a station wagon, with 2 rear seat child seats, right over the leaking fuel pump and leaked fuel. It is scary to know that if the fuel ever leaked on the exhaust while I am driving with my wife and twin 6 years son and daughter that there could be a fire. . . God forbid if my wife was driving my car and kids if it ever happened. That is why she is not allowed to drive my car. I can assure you that there are many other e class owners that had and/or am having the exact same problem.