Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle was sended to inspection due to a "brake warning" started showing at the gauges control panel. Mercedes Benz dealer service manager indicates that they not have a correct tool to recode to actualize the brake system and /or fix the problem at that time. Three visits and several phone calls been made to the dealer. The service advisor is always with other customer. I'm stop to drive my vehicle, because I never knew how deep is the problem. Doing a visual inspection I observed that the rear brake pads are not applying good enough, the surfaces of the rotors are different. The Mercedes Benz dealer representative still not notify me. This is a safety issue. This vehicle is not making any noise or have any vibration during braking. But I notice that is braking more at front than the rear. *brake fluid is been changed by the dealer. …
Anytime fuel tank is filled, there is strong gasoline smell. It seems smell is most intense when parked inside the garage. Gasoline smell persists when driving. Usually notice smell minimize when car has run for approximately 24-50 miles distance. Old dealer mentioned fuel tank would have to be replaced. This had been an ongoing problem since purchase of this used vehicle in 2013.
Reference pe12001 & ea13003 after filling up I smelled a strong gasoline odor in the car. Upon further inspection, the odor was coming from the rear of the car. It smelled like the drivers side rear seat cushion had been soaked in gasoline. The odor was so strong, driving the car with the windows up was impossible. I did some research online and found out that this was a common problem with the Mercedes AMG cars. As instructed online, I removed the seat cushion opened an access panel and could see liquid gasoline pooling on top of the fuel level sender unit. I could also see where the unit had cracked, allowing gas to escape the tank. I contacted mbusa about this problem and they advised me to see the dealer. As expected, the dealer diagnosed it as a faulty fuel sender unit. They contacted Mercedes on my behalf to attempt to get assistance with this repair. …
After purchasing a used mb CLS55 AMG I noticed I kept smelling fuel inside the cabin of my vehicle after filling up with fuel. Did not put any mind to it till after the third fill up. And I did a research online and noticed its a common problem I then called the 800# and asked if the recall campaign #2008-020001 was ever performed on my vehicle and they said it was done in 2008 by the previous owner. I told him that the problem seems to be happening again and the customer service rep told me they only perform the recall once and it is up to the owner to pay for the problem the second time. So I guess im stuck with a big bill for something that was never repaired properly from the first time. …
Strong fuel odor inside cabin, and fuel leak on ground outside. Repaired twice under warranty. First repair failed; second repair temporarily successful. Since second repair, fuel odor faint but noticeable, sporadic, but with no fuel leak visible on ground outside. Usually occurs when car is started after sitting in the sun for some time in hot weather, after a recent refueling. Incidence about once monthly (car is usually not parked outside). The car is no longer under any warranty. Independent mechanic showed me the (original) plastic part over the fuel tank under the left rear seat which showed slight fuel seepage (the replaced-under-warranty plastic part under the right rear seat still looks new and unaffected). In my opinion, this matter is related to the 2003-2008 Mercedes-Benz e-class fuel odor incidents under current (recently upgraded) NHTSA investigation.
I oqn a 2006 Mercedes CLS55 AMG. Last year I started to smell fuel from outside the car and especially on the driver side. The the smell started to permiate the interior. This was especially evident when the tank was nearly full. I took it to the dealer and was told it was sending units and I paid 1200.00 (aprox) to have two new sending units installed. Now, one year later I am noticing the severe smell again. I removed the back seat and see fuel exposed on the top of the tank. This can not be good! I am sure you are aware that the cls is on the same chasis as the e-class. I have already read of the ongoing problem with this model. I want to make you aware of the same situation on my model.
After fill up started smelling strong fumes of gas in vehicle. After about 2 days of sitting got in vehicle the smell was unbearable. Tried to ride some of the fuel off thinking it would take away smell, but to no avail. Decided to remove back seats to see if sending units were leaking in which I had heard about thru mb forums and wow there it was the rear passenger seat the side where the fuel goes in was soaked underneath and very damp on top of tank with fuel, on the driver's side it was the fuel smell not damp like the other side, but seat was strong of the odor of gas. What can be done about this is what I want to know. This could be very dangerous im afraid to drive car now.
Gasoline leak creating extreme odor inside and around car exterior. Dealership states fuel sending units and tank need to be replaced at my expense. My car was included in the related recall #2008-020001 and was subsequently serviced at dealership 1/19/09 to address the issue. Obviously the proposed remedy was ineffective. According to testimony of hundreds of other e/cls owners with identical, persistent issues- this is a definitive design issue and has created a serious safety and health issue that requires mb to sufficiently rectify once and for all.
My vehicle is a 2006 mb CLS55. After filling up my vehicle with fuel, I noticed a leak in my garage and a strong odor coming from inside the car both while running and while shut off. I brought my vehicle to an independent mechanic and verified that both fuel pumps are leaking from the top. These leaks result in a pool of fuel directly under the rear seats. I received a $2,200 dollar verbal quote from a dealership to replace both fuel pumps. They advised that this was a common problem with all 55 series vehicles.
Strong odor of fuel after filling tank. This quickly lead to fuel odor anytime car was started. I became aware of similar problems posted about my vehicle online. I removed the back passenger seat and inspected the fuel pump below panels and found that the driver side plastic pump hanger assembly is leaking at the plastic 90 degree fitting and filling the area with fuel and spilling over onto the top of the tank. The vehicle is unsafe to drive with the amount of fuel escaping.
Fuel System complaints in other AMG CLS55 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55, 73% of the model year's 33 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS55 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.