2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 Problems & Complaints

Avoid3.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the AMG E55 at the same age

Owners have filed 132 complaints about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 3.2× as many as a typical AMG E55 model year at the same age, which makes the 2005 one of the AMG E55 years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (130 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

132complaints
3recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 problems

  • 13098%
  • Electrical system~32,000 miles
    32%
  • Brakes~170,000 miles
    22%
  • Engine & cooling~125,000 miles
    22%
  • Suspension
    11%
  • Air bags
    11%
  • Seats
    11%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~42,000 miles
    11%
  • Other / not specified~125,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 132 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 complaints by model year

20032004200520067011113234
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz AMG E55. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best AMG E55 years: 2003, 2006. Years to avoid: 2005, 2004. Compare all years →

2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 recalls (3)

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 24V-874 · Nov 19, 2024 · 33,456 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 22V-954 · Dec 23, 2022 · 131,653 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 19V-918 · Dec 20, 2019 · 747,928 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55:

Fuel System (Tank/Sender) Leakage

NHTSA investigation PE12001 · opened Jan 23, 2012 · closed Mar 18, 2013

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.

Driver Air Bag Circuit High Resistance

NHTSA investigation PE10017 · opened May 14, 2010 · closed Nov 24, 2010

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has reported a high number of warranty claims for air bag warning lamp illumination due to a diagnostic fault code 9103 or 9123 indicating a high resistance in the driver's frontal air bag firing circuit.MBUSA's testing and evaluation have shown that this condition is the result of a faulty connector (specifically, improper wire crimp) but that it will not prevent proper deployment of the…

Fuel Leakage From The Fuel Tank

NHTSA investigation EA13003 · opened Mar 15, 2013 · closed Dec 19, 2014

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…

What 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 owners say

Fuel & propulsion system all 130 →

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle and arriving to the residence; the contact became aware that after parking the vehicle in the garage, there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact saw fuel leaking from the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was part of an Extended Warranty program however, the Extended Warranty Program had expired. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

54,000 miles · Jun 2024

Fuel pump housing failed allowing gas to leak, further degrading parts of the fuel system, ultimately causing the locking ring to fail and gas to leak under rear passenger seat. Fumes filled the cabin while my family and I including two young children were inside. Fortunately, this issue was discovered rather quick, if not the fuel could have leaked onto the hot exhaust under the tank and ignited. I recently found this issue is well known in the Mercedes-Benz W211 chassis. You have multiple complaints on file. Mercedes had in fact issued an extended warranty of the fuel system however, it has since expired. The car provided no warning messages prior to failure. The car has yet to be inspected by the dealer, mechanic, or insurance.

Jul 2024

Electrical system

Vehicle has had a constant strong gas odor in car. Under extended warranty the vehicle has had... 2/8/08 left sending unit connect seize and crack replaced also fuel tank replaced. 4/23/08 fuel filter module assembly fuel filter replaced.10/7 +11/6odor continues. Continue to bring in car nothing happens 1/20 sending unit,sensor,seal rings replaced(seals leaking around pressure sensors. 2/2/10 odor continues 8/18 odor continues 7/22/11 replace leftsending unit.3/4/14 fuel tank and sensors recommended to be replaced by dealer at cost to myself. I have all dealer worksheets of this fuel leaking strong odor problem being a constant complaint. Please help.

32,000 miles · Oct 2008

I smelled a gas order that was progressively getting worse. I decided to pull the passenger seat to follow the smell and noticed a puddle of gas on top of my fuel pump sending unit. I decided to pull out the unit and noticed the unit was discolored around the connector terminals. I believe the terminal melted the sending unit causing the sending unit to leak fuel. I have this is a very common problem with these cars, please help.

85,000 miles · Nov 2014

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 a good car?

Based on 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 AMG E55 rates avoid: 3.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the AMG E55 at the same age. It is one of the AMG E55 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?

The fuel & propulsion system — 130 complaints, 98% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the electrical system (3) and brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005 and 2004. See the full Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 23% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.