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Fuel systemPart report

2005 Mercedes-Benz E500 Fuel system Problems

Complaints
76about this part
Share
54%of 140 total for the year
Median mileage
95,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 76 complaints about the fuel system of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500, 54% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Started smelling gas from the drivers side of the car. Faint at first but when the car was refilled to full tank it was very strong. While in the vehicle we were breathing gas fumes. The gas gauge read half tank and we broke down because we were actually on e. The fuel sensor or float was bad too and now the gauge has gone bad. The whole system is being affected.”

NHTSA complaint #10633835, filed 2014-09, 164,000 miles

“There is a strong fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The odor is so strong sometimes that it gives me a headache. I know this can't be good for my health and I've read that other people are having the same type of problem with this model car. This problem usually occurs after refilling the gas tank and lasts about a week at a time.”

NHTSA complaint #10552695, filed 2013-11, 134,000 miles

“I took my car to the dealership because it was a red battery on the dash board, I was told I need a fuel pump, I told the dealership I have a warranty for this, but I was told the paper I have explain what a warranty is, I called mercedes headquarters several times and I was told I keep calling about the same thing its in the notes it is up to the service manager to approve the warranty I had to pay for the car repairs even tho I had a warranty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11115803, filed 2018-08, 7 miles

“Was just informed today that our 2005 mercedes e 500 sedan needs the fuel/gas tank replaced due to a leak in the upper portion of the gas tank. This is nearly a $2000 job and I believe mercedes needs to address this issue for owners effected by this problem the NHTSA action number on file for this issue is: pe12001 from browsing the web, I see this is an issue with other mercedes owners as well.”

NHTSA complaint #10500523, filed 2013-02, 46,000 miles

“When I full my gas tank, I get a strong odor of gasoline both inside the car and outside. Inside the vehicle the gasoline smell is throughout the car and smells strongest in the driverside rear seat location. Outside the vehicle the strongest smell of gasoline seems to be coming from the driverside rear door/wheel well. The smell seems to last until the gas level goes below 3/4 of a tank of gasoline. This happens everytime I full the gasoline tank.”

NHTSA complaint #10641212, filed 2014-10, 88,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20062958%
20057654%
20048459%
20034133%

Other parts of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500

Brakes
38 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology