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 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
With a full tank of gas, gas leaked out of the top of the fuel tank where the fuel sender/filter is located. The fuel wicked up the foam wrapped around the signal/ power wires, came between the access panel screwed to the floor and the floor. This is the floor directly under the rear passenger seat. The fuel soaked into the insulation below the rear passenger seat and the foam seat. This continues to occur at all times until the fuel level reaches approximately 3/4 of a tank.
Fuel filter and sending unit leaking under rear seat. Both parts replaced. Rear seat cushion saturated and required replacement due to strong fuel smell in vehicle. Vehicle service history shows same part replaced at 26,864 miles by previous owner. Same part replaced again at 69,383 miles with same leaking issue.
I had filled my gas tank to full. While the vehicle was parked in my driveway, there was a leak by the drivers rear wheel. Smelled like gas. I found out this is a recall from Mercedes Benz. "check fuel filter module assembly and repair or replace if necessary" the emission recall campaign is: 2008020001
Driver's side fuel/pump sender unit is leaking fuel causing strong smell of gasoline inside of cabin and posing serious security risk to driver and passengers. After removing inspection cover from driver's side pump/sender unit, pooled fuel was observed on top of sending unit.
Gas tank leak from under heat Shield Recall claims in 2012 it was extended for 15 years
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. …
In December 2011 I detected a strong fuel smell from inside the cabin of the car. The smell was so strong that I felt it was in my best interest to drive to the nearest european car service center, since the nearest mb service center is 45 minutes away. It was determined that the charcoal filters under the rear seat were leaking, causing fuel to pool. We called the mb service center and was told there was a recall on the charcoal filters but it was closed. I was incredulous that such a serious problem (any leaking fuel issue should be considered serious) was completely ignored by mb and I was on my own. I had no choice but to pay to have the filters replaced at my expense out of fear of my car exploding. Now, July 2012, the charcoal filter valve is leaking and causing another gas odor. …
On June 9, 2011, there was a detectable fuel smell on the interior and immediately surrounding the exterior of the vehicle. On June 10, 2011, the vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of laguna niguel, ca. The Mercedes technician diagnosed the issue as a bad fuel sender unit. Mercedes failed to mention at the time that there was a recall for this issue which they described as "mechanical stress on the fuel filter module" (voluntary emissions recall campaign #2008-020001). Parts and labor to replace the fuel sender units cost $1,620.20. This repair seemed to have corrected the issue temporarily. On October 17, 2013 I took the vehicle into Mercedes-Benz of foothill ranch, ca for routine service. The technician again identified the smell of gas in the vehicle and diagnosed the problem as a crack in the fuel sender unit. …
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 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55, 98% of the model year's 132 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2005 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 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 2% 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.