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 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E55. The contact stated that upon placing fuel into the gas tank, a strong gasoline odor began to emit from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact removed the rear seat and saw that fuel had leaked from the fuel pumps. The contact reached out to the manufacturer through the manufacturer's website and his request to repair the vehicle was denied. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer and the manufacturer denied the repair a second time. The contact stated that the same failure occurred back in 2008 and that the vehicle was repaired under a manufacturer's recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
When the vehicle is has a full tank of gas, there are heavy fumes of gasoline in the interior of the car. It appears to be the fuel pumps that are underneath the rear seats, leaking fuel on top, next to the the wiring. It is a hazard for fumes and possibly a fire
Takata recall OK I bought my wife the 04 E55 AMG Mercedes about 3 years ago shortly after buying the car we started to notice a faint fuel smell occasionally, so within the past the three years the fuel smell has gotten significantly worse and worse on the inside of the car causing my wife to not want to drive the vehicle in fear of a fuel system related fire with my kids in the vehicle, I do not blame her. So I started driving the car myself within the last few weeks I filled the tank up on 2 separate occasion and it has the first time the gas smell was so bad I had a hard time driving the car myself but this last time, it drained over half of the gasoline into the floor of my garage. Not only making the floor of my garage gasoline covered miss but making the entire car smells like gasoline my garage smell like gasoline. As well as the inside of my house. …
I bought this car from pure motors in sacramento ca. With a empty fuel tank. I took to a gas station less than a quarter mile from the dealer. I filled it up and my wife drove it home about 15 miles away from the dealership. She pulled up in the driveway and told me how bad the gas oder was and that she had to put the window down to keep from passing out. I immediately called Mercedes Benz roadside assistance. They sent a tow truck out and took it to the Mercedes Benz dealership in rocklin. Ca. After the dealer look at the car they told me I needed a new gas tank. They said it was on back order and would take a week to get one. That was 02/25/2015, it's now 05/06/2015. No word from Mercedes as to when they will get it. I received a email letter from an attorney that Mercedes Benz USA llc would cover the issue but all I get from them are wasted words, the run around. …
My fuel tank has developed a leak where I can smell fuel both outside and inside the vehicle after filling the tank all the way. The odor is very pronounced and I am concerned about the safety of the vehicle if this much fuel is leaking from the tank. An independent repair shop confirmed a leak from the top of the fuel tank. Based on information I read on a Mercedes Benz forum website, it said to reference action number pe12001 (this appears to be a common issue with this series of vehicle). I hope the NHTSA will investigate this issue and force Mercedes Benz to replace these defective and unsafe fuel tanks at no cost to consumers.
Strong gasoline odor in the back of the car after filling up the tank. Dealership confirmed that the tank needs to be replaced. This issue was covered at some point but was never done to this specific car vrtc-dcd-3206. I purchased the car a few weeks ago and was told by mb that the previous owner refused to do the fix/service. The problem is still there the cabin has an incredibly strong odor of gasoline. If the fix was offered at some point and was never done, why cant they perform it now? Quote for fix attached
The fuel smell is constant and so strong it burns your eyes. Fuel is leaking into the car and damaging the rear seats, discoloration is evident from the leaking fuel on the leather. A simple towel left will stink like gasoline over a matter of minutes when left in the back seat. Please let me know what I need to do to resolve this issue. Sincerely, [redacted]
Gas smell in car so went to shop for inspection. Found gas tank would not hold vacuum and that it was leaking with gas pooling around tank below rear seat. I understand there May be a class action suit regarding this issue and would like to find out how to recover the over $4000 in expenses to repair my gas tank. A gas tank should not leak and need replacing.
I have gas fumes inside the car. I check the pump sender , and I found electrical problem in the connector for the pumps. See picture. This issue could create electrical spark and your car could be on fire! Big issue check your vehicle. The design of the connector are under heat capacity. And that the root cause of leak of full.
Every time I fill the gas tank. It starts smelling like gas inside the vehicle specially in the rear. And even when you approach the car from behind you can smell the gas odor. If I can be helped here with this situation. I don't feel safe driving my car with a full tank.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel System (Tank/Sender) Leakage
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 20 consumer reports.All of the vehicles were E55 AMG models and the complainants alleged fuel leaks or a strong odor of gasoline both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refueling.Some complainants alleged that the leaks may be related to a 2008 Mercedes Benz emission recall (Campaign No.
Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on January 23, 2012 as PE12-001 based on 20 consumer reports in model year (MY) 2003-2006 E55 AMG vehicles.Based on new reports in other E-Class vehicles, ODI upgraded the investigation to Engineering Analysis (EA) 13-003 on March 15, 2013, and expanded the scope to all E-Class vehicles through MY 2008.The complainants alleged a strong odor of…
Fuel System complaints in other AMG E55 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55, 95% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55, though it has 3 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 2004 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 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.