*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2003 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the rear seats, the contact observed gasoline pooling underneath the rear seats. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB: 2008-020001. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Nov 15, 2023Electrical system
The Alternator died after just over two years from being replaced by Mercedes part and labor causing a loss of electrical power and a loss of brake in the car.
Feb 3, 2023Fuel/propulsion system
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON A LONG ROAD TRIP, THERE WAS AN INCREASINGLY LARGE RATTLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER LOAD. EVENTUALLY THE RATTLE STOPPED. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO FILL UP THE CAR WITH GAS, IT LEAKED EVERYWHERE CAUSING A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD. WHILE THIS WAS PUT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 15 YEARS BY MERCEDES BENZ, A 2003 MODEL IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 3 YEARS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AS IT LEFT ME STRANDED IN RURAL MONTANA ON A ROAD TRIP (I'M FROM WA) AND POSED A MASSIVE FIRE HAZARD IN THE BLAZING HEAT OF SUMMER. I HAD TO TOW IT BACK ON A UHAUL TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR A POTENTIAL FIRE. EVEN THE MECHANICS AT A NEAR-ISH (200 MILES AWAY FROM THE MONTANA…
Aug 17, 2020 · 103,700 milesAir bags
MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING AN SRS WARNING LIGHT THAT THE DEALERSHIP, MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH BAY, DIAGNOSED AS BEING A PASSENGER SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR FAILURE. THEY ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON THESE MODELS, WHICH UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET I BELIEVE IS THE CASE, AND QUOTED ME OVER $4,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS FAILURE TURNS OFF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG UNLESS THE REPAIR IS PERFORMED. MY UNDERSTANDING, HAVING PREVIOUSLY WORKING FOR ANOTHER OEM FOR 15 YEARS, WAS THAT AIRBAGS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PARTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS FAILURE IS SO COMMON WORLDWIDE THAT AFTERMARKET COMPANIES SELL "EMULATOR" KITS THAT TURN OFF THE LIGHT AND MAKE THE AIRBAG…
Jan 25, 2019 · 96,000 milesFuel/propulsion system
WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CLASSIFIED AS A TOTAL RECALL TURNED INTO AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND AS A RESULT I HAVE LOST $1700. AFTER A BATTLE WITH THE NHTSA, BACK IN 2015 MERCEDES SETTLED TO DO A RETROACTIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON CERTAIN 2003-2011 VEHICLES DUE TO HOW MANY PROBLEMS AND SAFETY CONCERNS THERE WERE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. UNKNOWN TO ME, NOT RECEIVING ANY LETTERS ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE PURCHASE, MY CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD BY 3 MONTHS WHEN I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT READ BY A REPUTABLE GAS-STATION SHOP, AND THEY FOUND AN EVAP LEAK. THIS WAS NO NORMAL HOSE LEAK/GAS CAP OPEN EVAP LEAK. THEY ENDED UP FINDING A MASSIVE LEAK AT THE TOP FUEL PUMP! THERE…
Oct 10, 2019 · 90,000 milesFuel/propulsion system
FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY RECALL
May 20, 2019 · 113,000 milesFuel/propulsion system
I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2003 MERCEDES-BENZ E55 AMG. UPON DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE STATE WHERE I PURCHASED IT, I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL SMELL. THIS IS STRONG INSIDE THE CABIN AND ALSO OUTSIDE THE CABIN, TO THE POINT THAT OTHERS AROUND THE CAR NOTED THE FUEL SMELL. I CAN SMELL IT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. A GOOGLE SEARCH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS YEARS AGO AND MBUSA OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF AN ADDITIONAL 5 YEARS BEYOND THE INITIAL 10 YEARS IN LIEU OF HAVING A COURT REQUIRE A FULL RECALL. AFTER, FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON MY PART, I LEARNED THAT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IF BUT WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR W211 VEHICLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL…
Apr 28, 2019 · 100,000 milesFuel/propulsion system
STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER FILL UP. FUEL LEAKING ON TO TOP OF TANK AND VAPORS ENTERING CABIN
Jan 15, 2019 · 83,000 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.