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 E55 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving my car and the inside started to smell like gasoline, and after that I noticed it was leaking from outside, and when I started to investigate, it started to come from it looked like my fuel pump on the drivers side, fuel started to leak out the fuel pump or fuel tank and leaking to the outside to the rear left side of the car
Stepped into my 2006 E55 AMG in the morning to a strong fuel odor, drove the car a few miles, still smelled the fuel. When I came home I jumped on to the computer and searched on google about fuel oder inside w211 chassis cars. Found a lot of other owners have experienced same symptoms, confirmed by lifting up rear seats to find fuel puddle under the seat cushion behind the driver side. The cushion, sound deadening material and wires were all wet from fuel. Immediately took the car to Mercedes at foothill ranch in ca, and they stated there is a open recall and warranty extension. Hoping to get this fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E55. The contact stated that there were fuel fumes inside the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to walter's Mercedes-Benz of riverside [phone], located at 3213 adams st, riverside, ca 92504) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump leaked fuel. The technician stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and supported the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,877.
Please reference existing NHTSA complaint #pe12001. My 2006 Mercedes E55 has raw fuel puddling under the rear seat area behind the driver's seat. There appears to be a leak from the housing or tank itself in this area. The fuel leak is substantial and the vapors from this leak are overwhelming inside the car. I have taken numerous detailed photographs of this leak. I also have a video clip that appears to capture a hissing sound of pressurization inside the tank forcing fuel vapor into the interior of the car. I would be happy to share any of this information with you to help with your investigation. My understanding is that you have already received several dozen complaints about this exact problem from other Mercedes E55 owners, and perhaps from other Mercedes models that use the same gas tank / sender units. …
Gas fumes from inside car caused wife and daughter to become sick and nauseas (daughter has asthma). Dropped off vehicle at scottsdale schumacher european for repair or replacement on August 23th, 2012. I filed a written complaint with Mercedes-Benz at the same time of delivery. Received back a written letter from customer retention manager/[redacted] on September 5th, 2012 denying/ refusing refund or replacement. On sept 11th, 2012 I picked up and paid $1167.00 for labor to replace fuel tank and assembly (dealership did not charge for parts). On August 23rd, 2013 the fuel system is once again causing unbearable gas fumes inside car. The fumes are so strong that any spark May indeed set the car ablaze..updated 09-18-13 updated 9/24/2013
Summary: both fuel sending units leaking from the top of the fuel tank. Fuel was puddling under the rear seats and was dripping on to the ground. My 6 year old son got in the car this morning and complained that it smelled like gas. This a major safety issue as well as an environmental issue. What would happen if the leaking fuel came in contact with a hot exhaust pipe? A recall was issued for this same problem in 2008, however, the recall did not resolve the problem, it only delays it until you are out of warranty and are forced to pay out of pocket for a costly repair.
Car developed strong fuel smell inside cabin. During 100K miles service, dealer suggested possible future replacement of fuel sending unit at customer's expense. After service visit to dealer, fuel smell inside cabin became stronger and rear seat was removed by customer and discovered fuel fluid accumulating beneath rear seat. Inspection cover was removed and the sending unit was found leaking fuel from top cover of sending unit through a crack on it. Fuel leak is confirmed to generate through a hairline crack at top of sending unit. It is not from seals or threaded cover.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E55. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the fuel tank seals would need to be replaced. In the process of replacing the seals, the mechanic discovered that the fuel pump was also cracked. The fuel pump was not replaced and after the repair, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 32,000.
I came outside to my car and could not get it to start. The car would crank but would not turn on. Had the car towed to the local Mercedes dealership (euro motorcars in germantown, md). I was told that the fuel pump was leaking and that the fuel shorted the connector that turns the fuel pump on. I googled the problem online to see if it was a common issue, and it seems as if many people have this issue and Mercedes already performed a recall on these cars to take care of this problem. I confirmed with the dealer that the recall was done to my vehicle and it was.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E55. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a manufacturer's recall for the fuel sending unit and was repaired at an authorized dealer. A few years after the recall repair was performed, the contact noticed a strong gasoline fuel smell. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician stated that the fuel sending unit was leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
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 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55, 94% of the model year's 34 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55, 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 E55 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 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.