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 E350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary, she started to smell an abnormal fuel odor from the rear driver's side seat. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel level sending unit and the seals and gaskets to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that she was unable to continue driving the vehicle due to odor. The contact towed the vehicle to another local dealer, Mercedes-Benz of Myrtle Beach (936 Jason Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel line and all the seals and gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while the vehicle parked, fuel was noticed leaking from the vehicle onto the driveway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
In June 2017, I received a letter from Mercedes-Benz of America informing me that the warranty of the fuel system in my vehicle is extended to 15 years. In that same year, I had my whole fuel tank replaced by an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer in San Jose, California due to strong smell of fuel by the rear wheel well on the driver side of the car. The repair was fully cover by MB-America under this extended warranty. On November 3, 2022, I experienced the same fuel smell from the same place of the car (i.e., driver side rear wheel well) and was told that the repair will not be cover at all, even though the fuel system in my car is only 5 years old. I am writing to suggest that you impose a 15 years warranty on the fuel leak replacement parts. MB needs to stand behind their product if it was their OEM parts and done by their authorized dealer. …
Noticed strong gasoline odor in left rear wheel well after filling the vehicle with fuel. Since the vehicle had just been repaired for an unrelated issue at a local Mercedes dealer, I took it back to them for troubleshooting. They diagnosed the problem as a leak at the seal on the fuel pump in the tank. I researched this issue and found it is a recurring problem for which Mercedes had offered a warranty extension of 15 years. This extension expired for my vehicle in July 2020. Cost to repair was $3,256 as after a 10% discount. I was not informed of this issue or the extended warranty despite having the vehicle serviced at Mercedes dealers multiple times since purchasing it in 2008.
PZEV fuel tank leaks at top but is not repairable. Replacement requires complete tank replacment which is not economically feasilble. This forces owners to continue to operate vehicle with fuel leakage since repair of the tank is not possible. In older models a simple gasket change would resolve such leaks, in the PZEV tank leaks can not be repaired and thus are left uncorrected. Many of these vehicles are now owned by minority owners who are unable to pay $5000 to repair a defective design. MB refuses to support owners.
Leaking fuel tank and gaskets. A strong smell of fuel internally in the vehicle and externally with a full tank of fuel. Mercedes Benz Warrantee extension PE#12001 "Covered Fuel Tank Components." Mercedes Benz denied claim because of PZEV vs non-PZEV type of vehicle. Both vehicles PZEV and non-PZEV, both use the same plastic gas tank, sending units, and fuel pump in their respective vehicles. How did NHTSA agree to cover non-PZEV vehicles only.
I recently started smelling gas in my car after refueling. I was told by my mechanic that Mercedes was replacing fuel pumps and fuel tanks free of charge . Mercedes Benz customer care has advised this isn't so. This is an expensive repair and I am hoping Mercedes Benz can cover the cost of this repair and if not, offer substantial assistance.
My Mercedes Benz E350 2006 failed to start intermittently due to fuel pump failure. My car was hit by an uninsured motorist, since then, my car became unreliable to start, my car falls into a metal type of fuel tank. There was a recall #08V303000 which states that in the event of vehicle crash, the electrical fuel pump May fail to deliver the needed fuel to start the engine, but my VIN is not on the list, however, during investigation ea 13-003 for fuel system, warranty has been extended to 15 years, warranty has been extended to 15 years with unlimited miles for the fuel pump on the subject vehicle. Penske refuse to honor the replacement of my fuel tank because according to the asst. Service manager, the warranty only affect on the plastic type of fuel tank. Is this really true? My car has 161,927 miles and he said the metal type fuel tank can only be replaced 150,00 or below. …
I drove about 15 miles from my home to my work on the interstate highway 10 in the west of los angeles. I was going to exit from the I-10 to alameda exit, I saw white fume coming up from the ventilation on hood and the gas smell start to come into inside and I roll down the windows while taking exit and parking to a space of truck wash place at 1630 mcgarry st los angeles, ca 90021. As soon as I arrive the truck wash place, strong flame and gas started from the front of my car. I asked help from the truck wash people and the came with water hose and fire extinguisher to cease the fire. After stop the fire I found the fuel line was disconnected on the top above engine at driver side. There was not tear or ware as the car was in the w I simonson Mercedes Benz on the date of June 1, 2015, about two months ago. The car was towed by a fletbed to the w. I. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mercedes Benz E350. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was present inside and outside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank, pump and connectors failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not conatacted. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure, they informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the scope of there investigation (ea13003). No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
NHTSA investigations
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 E350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350?
NHTSA has 219 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, 55% of the model year's 400 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350, 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 E350 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.