Mercedes-Benz E500 Fuel System Problems

Owners have filed 230 complaints about fuel & propulsion system problems with the Mercedes-Benz E500 — 50% of all E500 complaints. The worst model years are 2004 (84), 2005 (76) and 2003 (41). Problems typically start around 91,000 miles. No fuel system recall has been issued for the E500.

230complaints
2004worst year
91ktypical miles
0related recalls
0crashes
1fires

Fuel System complaints by model year

200320042005200641847629
Fuel System complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz E500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20062958%77,000 miles
20057654%95,000 miles
20048459%90,000 miles
20034133%96,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Storage › Tank assembly
    5
  • Delivery › Fuel pump
    3
  • Storage › Auxillary tank
    1
  • Storage › Evaporative emissions › Canister
    1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    32%
  • 25k–50k
    179%
  • 50k–75k
    4221%
  • 75k–100k
    5327%
  • 100k–150k
    6332%
  • 150k+
    2010%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a fuel leak, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. A diagnostic test revealed an Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) control system leak. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

2006 E500 · Storage › Evaporative emissions › Canister · 77,000 miles · Dec 2025

Also I have had the exact same thing happen to me in the recall dated 3/15/2013. After taking a long trip up to san francisco when I got home my oil tank was leaking -there was a strong odor of gasoline coming from my backseat. I took it in to the dealer they replaced my fuel tank but before they did that they sent me on the road without fixing and no rental car. I thought I would pass out from the smell of gasoline. The dealer told me to roll my windows down when driving what? I drove my car like that for approx 1 week before the fuel tank came in. They did pay for it. I was concerned if I where to smoke in the car what would happen?

2006 E500 · 80,000 miles · Dec 2018

The contact owns a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank. There was an abnormal odor of fuel inside the vehicle. The contact refueled the vehicle and there was an abnormal odor of fuel outside of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who stated there was no warranty coverage. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

2005 E500 · 40,000 miles · Jan 2020

Car smells like gas. Constantly a couple machanic. Did some repairs. But there's a small leak as well from a smoke test. Gas leaks in more than one area. Oil leaks everywhere. Evap leak didn't pass smog. Then went to a smog station and repair. Check engine light back on again. I saw Mercedes had an extended warranty to avoid recalling several safety complaints. I got the car from a guy who never looked into recalls or extended warranty for these complaints. Please help me to get refunded what I payed so far with repairs on gas leaks. Also to repair the whole gas system. It is dangerously ongoing. I never got notified by Mercedes nor did the previous owner.

2005 E500 · Nov 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Mercedes-Benz E500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that upon making a stop, he noticed fuel leaking onto the driver's side rear wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with an unknown recall for the fuel tank. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

2004 E500 · Delivery › Fuel pump · 71,000 miles · Sep 2022

the car has smelled like gas from the minute i received it. the previous owner told me that mercedes had quoted 5 grand to fix it so i would only put half a tank in at a time. turns out there was a warranty on it but has since expired. why wasn't it fixed for free when the previous owner brought it? this is very dangerous and can cause an explosion. the warranty should have been fixed rather than quoted and seems very greedy to not disclose that information but instead giving a quote. i have lung and heart problems and this is a definite safety issue that needs to be corrected regardless of the age of the car also brought it to dealership scared and they told me too bad it's been too long. how is a gas leak an ok thing to dismiss?????? i have been trying to get this fixed for years and this is my 2nd attempt for a recall with no response at all

2004 E500 · Jan 2022

My vehicle started puttering and finally shut off. I had it towed to the nearest Mercedes Benz shop located on independence drive in charlotte. After the diagnostic, I was told that the fuel pump was bad. I informed the service advisor colton and the service manager todd about the extended warranty on the components of the fuel system. I was denied warranty coverage because they stated that the fuel tank had to be cracked before they would honor the warranty. To my understanding if the item is a part of the fuel system components, it should be covered for the warranty. They refused to satisfy the warranty and I ended up not authorizing the repairs. Now because Mercedes will not repair the covered part, I have to take it to another repair shop to have it fixed. …

2003 E500 · 169,000 miles · Jul 2015

This vehicle has a very strong gasoline smell after I fill the tank. This smell is concentrated on the driver side by the rear wheel. I do not have the money to repair or diagnose the vehicle. Although, Mercedes has issued an extended warranty to 15 years unlimited miles for "covered fuel tank components". The Mercedes dealerships are not able to tell me what the severity or the specific reason for my fuel leak/smell without paying a large diagnostic fee/ w no guarantee of warrantied service. I would like them to share specific information about this problem with me without charging diagnostic fee.

2003 E500 · 130,000 miles · Feb 2014

NHTSA investigations

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…

Frequently asked questions

Which Mercedes-Benz E500 years have fuel system problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (84), 2005 (76), 2003 (41) and 2006 (29) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 59% of all complaints for the 2004.

Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz E500 fuel system problems?

No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for any Mercedes-Benz E500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz E500 fuel system problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 10% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the storage › tank assembly (5 mentions), followed by the delivery › fuel pump (3).

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.