Fuel smell or leak mentions
2 mentions · 13.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 67,174 mi (1 usable records).
Matching rule
\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\bU.S. public vehicle records
2008 Mercedes Benz E550 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
67,174 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data updated: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 15 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Wheels: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Suspension: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10548721 · 2013-10-21 (October 21, 2013)
MOST OF THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. THE REASON IS THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE STARTED SMELLING "GAS" FUMES IN OUR GARAGE FROM OUR CAR. MY DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE STARTED PARKING OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER STARTED GETTING SICK SHE SAID FROM THE GAS FUMES. IT IS NOW VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MERCEDES E550 IS LEAKING FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH FROM AN EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT AND FROM A DAY TO DAY HEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10554678 · 2013-12-03 (December 3, 2013)
GAS SMELL INSIDE OF THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 67,174 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10439247 · 2011-12-10 (December 10, 2011)
THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A R…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10439247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447585 · 2022-01-15 (January 15, 2022)
In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 wa…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447585 at NHTSA ↗
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
15 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
60.0%Usable mileage9 / 15 records
100.0%Valid incident date15 / 15 records
100.0%Valid filing date15 / 15 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates15 / 15 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 150.0%ODI 10489281 · 64,000 miWHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL BASE AND IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH ON OCCASION A SMALL LEAKAGE OF FUEL ON THE FLOOR. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON SEVERAL W211 CARS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NO HELP EXCEPT TO SAY IT WILL COST AROUND $2000 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I DID FIND THAT THERE WAS SOME CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE NHTSA THIS YEAR IN APRIL CONCERNING THIS MATTER BUT DID NOT KNOW THE OUT… | 1848.6%ODI 10475272 · 70,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E550. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE FUEL SMELL AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK SEALS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. | 533.3%ODI 10554961 · 80,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1437.8%ODI 10438482 · 47,500 miAFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK (WITHOUT TOPPING-OFF AND WITHOUT ANY SPILLAGE) AND ARRIVING AT NEXT DESTINATION, THERE IS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SIDE OPPOSITE OF THE FILLER PIPE, SO IT IS NOT RELATED TO SPILLAGE DURING FILLING. THE ODOR LASTS UNTIL THE TANK IS DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 3/4. UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CAR, THERE IS A SMALL BUT NOTICEABLE WET AREA UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET PROVIDES A VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH 2003-2009 E CLAS… | 320.0%ODI 10548721 · 56,000 miMOST OF THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. THE REASON IS THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE STARTED SMELLING "GAS" FUMES IN OUR GARAGE FROM OUR CAR. MY DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE STARTED PARKING OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER STARTED GETTING SICK SHE SAID FROM THE GAS FUMES. IT IS NOW VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MERCEDES E550 IS LEAKING FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH FROM AN EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT AND FROM A DAY TO DAY HEA… | 125.0%ODI 10558531 · 41,000 miPLEASE REFERENCE NHTSA ACTION# PE12001. AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GASOLINE, THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE GOES AWAY AFTER USING ABOUT A 1/4 OF THE TANK. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH E CLASS (W211) VEHICLES AND MERCEDES BENZ HAS BEEN DENYING ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER YET AND WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ALLOW THE NHTSA TO INSPECT MY VEHICLE. *TR |
| Wheels | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 38.1%ODI 10264262 · 26,000 miHIT A SMALL POT HOLE AND DENTED THE TIRE RIM AND FLATTENED MY TIRE. THIS THE 4TH RIM AND 4TH TIRE REPLACED SINCE MARCH OF 2008. REPLACED THE RIMS AND TIRES AT APPROXIMATELY $1000/RIMTIRE. THESE LOW PROFILE TIRES/RIMS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD. *TR | 213.3%ODI 10284653 · 14,441 mi2008 MERCEDES E550 RIM PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TWO FRONT TIRE BLOWOUTS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM HITTING SMALL POT HOLE. THE RIM GETS BENT THEN THE TIRE BLOWS OUT. THE LATEST INCIDENT, A POLICE OFFICER AND I WATCHED MANY VEHICLES DRIVING OVER THE POT HOLE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE RIMS ARE THE 12 SPOKE THAT COMES STOCK ON THE E550'S. *TR | 125.0%ODI 10450676 · 20,000 miI WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR ON A MAJOR STREET AND WENT OVER A SMALL POTHOLE. THIS RESULTED IN MAJOR FRACTURES ON BOTH OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEELS. ALL THE EQUIPMENT ON THIS CAR IS ORIGINAL FROM MERCEDES BENZ. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT IN LATE 2010. RECENTLY, I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR AND WENT OVER A SMALL POTHOLE ON THE STREET THAT IS ABOUT 6 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND LESS THAN 2 INCHES IN DEPTH, AND RESULTED IN ANOTHER WHEEL FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND THAT POTHOLE DAMAGE IS A NORMAL PART OF WEAR AND TEAR. BUT THI… |
| Suspension | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 38.1%ODI 11010770 · 128,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PU… | 16.7%ODI 10667948 · 112,018 miJUST PURCHASED THIS 2008 E550 WITH 100K MILES ON IT. IT WAS INSPECTED AND SAID TO BE A GREAT MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME STOP CAR TOO LOW. CAR WAS IN SPORT MODE WITH THE VEHICLE RAISED BUTTON INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, AS IT SAT FOR AN APPROXIMATE 1 HOUR I NOTICED IT DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON TOO SEE IF IT WOULD RAISE AGAIN AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS STILL WORKING BUT NO MOVEMENT WAS HAPPENING. I LOOKED IT U… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.7%ODI 11342127 · 120,000 miCAR SMELLS LIKE GAS INSIDE AND OUT UNTIL ABOUT HALF A TANK AFTER REVIEWING MERCEDES BENZ FORMS IN THE BENZ WORLD WEBSITE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE E500 AND E550 IN THE YEARS BETWEEN 2005 AND 2008 VEHICLES THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT AND NOT SURE WHEN IT STARTED I'VE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER PREVIOUS OWNER MENTIONED IT TO ME AS WELL I DIDN'T THANK TO MUCH ABOUT IT TILL THE SMELL HAS GOTTEN SO BAD THAT THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE IN THE VEHICLE | 16.7%ODI 11641332The panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. Will not open back up. | 125.0% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.7%ODI 11144276 · 97,000 miTAKATA RECALL VEHICLE AIRMATIC SUSPENSION FAILED AGAIN TODAY DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I'M FED UP WITH MERCEDES! | 16.7%ODI 11447585In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 wa… | 125.0%ODI 10312273 · 2,500 miUNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF MERCEDES BENZ E 350 4 MATIC 2009 MODEL BARELY 3 MONTHS OLD-JUMPED THE CURB WHILE PARKING AND HIT THE WALL 4 FT OVER THE CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE MEDICAL OFFICE WALL AND THE RIGHT FRONT END OF THE CAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. REPORTED TO ALLSTATE CLAIMS, CAR REPAIRED AND INSPECTED BY BENZ DEALER. BOTH THE MB DEALER AND MB HEADQUARTER LETTER STATED THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. ACCORDING TO MERCEDES BENZ THE CAR CHECKED OUT FINE. THEY SENT ME A LETTER STATING THAT AS WELL. *TR |
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.7%ODI 11010770 · 128,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND BALL JOINTS WERE FAULTY, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT PU… | 16.7%ODI 11447585In the fall of 2021 the car started to received errors related to the ABS control unit that failed preventing 1) antilock braking, control of ESP (limiting poor handling), and cruise control. At the time of the failure, the car only had 31,552 miles and was properly maintained. MB has extended a warranty for several models and years...but even though my 2008 E-Class is not included in the warranty extension, several models (thru 2012) had their warranty extended for 25 years. I have not been able to get a answer why the E-Class after 2006 wa… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 150.0%ODI 10324801 · 20,100 miDEAR SIR/MADAM, I HAVE A SERIOUS COMPLAINT AGAINST THE CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES THAT CAME WITH MY MERCEDES BENZ E550 AND ALSO THE NEW ONES I RECENTLY PURCHASED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 20K MILES ON IT AND THE SIDE WALLS ON THE TIRES ARE VERY WEAK. I HAD 1 BUBBLE EACH DEVELOP ON 2 OF THE TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AFTER DRIVING OVER 2 SMALL POTHOLES RECENTLY. I ALSO HAD A SIDEWALL ISSUE ON THE THIRD TIRE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR AND THE NEW ONE I JUST PURCHASED. THE RECENT INCIDENT WAS THE WORST WHERE BOTH SIDEWALLS BURST OPEN WHEN I HIT A … | 12.7%ODI 10264262 · 26,000 miHIT A SMALL POT HOLE AND DENTED THE TIRE RIM AND FLATTENED MY TIRE. THIS THE 4TH RIM AND 4TH TIRE REPLACED SINCE MARCH OF 2008. REPLACED THE RIMS AND TIRES AT APPROXIMATELY $1000/RIMTIRE. THESE LOW PROFILE TIRES/RIMS SHOULD NOT BE SOLD. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | Too few reports for a range | 120,000 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10554961 · 80,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS PRESENT OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. ODI 11258982 · 160,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E550. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF AUSTIN (6757 AIRPORT BLVD, AUSTIN, TX) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVELING SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | Too few reports for a range | 60,213 mi | 3 (sparse) | ODI 10548721 · 56,000 miMOST OF THE ENCLOSED QUESTIONS DO NOT APPLY. THE REASON IS THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE STARTED SMELLING "GAS" FUMES IN OUR GARAGE FROM OUR CAR. MY DAUGHTER'S BEDROOM IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. WE STARTED PARKING OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE AGAIN AND MY DAUGHTER STARTED GETTING SICK SHE SAID FROM THE GAS FUMES. IT IS NOW VERY APPARENT THAT THIS MERCEDES E550 IS LEAKING FUMES FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH FROM AN EXPLOSIVE COMPONENT AND FROM A DAY TO DAY HEA… ODI 10670070 · 60,213 miRELATED TO CASE# EA13003 I RECENTLY PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2008 E550 WITH 59K MILES IN DECEMBER 2014. AFTER FILL-UP, I NOTICED A FAINT FUEL SMELL ON THE DRIVERS REAR AREA NEAR THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE ALSO OPENED UP THE ACCESS HATCH AND NOTICED FUEL SEEPING FROM THE SENDING UNIT. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE EXACT ISSUES I HAVE SEEN IN REGARDS TO CASE #EA13003. THIS SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE TANK LEVEL GOES BELOW 3/4. *TR |
| Wheels | Too few reports for a range | 7,223 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10284653 · 14,441 mi2008 MERCEDES E550 RIM PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD TWO FRONT TIRE BLOWOUTS ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM HITTING SMALL POT HOLE. THE RIM GETS BENT THEN THE TIRE BLOWS OUT. THE LATEST INCIDENT, A POLICE OFFICER AND I WATCHED MANY VEHICLES DRIVING OVER THE POT HOLE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE RIMS ARE THE 12 SPOKE THAT COMES STOCK ON THE E550'S. *TR ODI 10435537 · 5 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIRE BLOWOUTS DUE TO DRIVING OVER ROAD IRREGULARITIES. THE FAILURES WERE EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE EQUIPPED WITH LOW PROFILE RIMS. THE BLOWN OUT TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. |
| Suspension | Too few reports for a range | 112,018 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10667948 · 112,018 miJUST PURCHASED THIS 2008 E550 WITH 100K MILES ON IT. IT WAS INSPECTED AND SAID TO BE A GREAT MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND A RED INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME STOP CAR TOO LOW. CAR WAS IN SPORT MODE WITH THE VEHICLE RAISED BUTTON INDICATOR LIGHT ON. I DROVE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, AS IT SAT FOR AN APPROXIMATE 1 HOUR I NOTICED IT DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON TOO SEE IF IT WOULD RAISE AGAIN AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS STILL WORKING BUT NO MOVEMENT WAS HAPPENING. I LOOKED IT U… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | 24V874000 | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 1 | None | ODI 11638060The seal that connects the fuel level sensor to the fuel tank has failed, allowing fuel to leak onto the top of the tank when it’s filled. This creates a serious risk of fire or explosion. Unfortunately, Mercedes does not offer a remedy unless you pay a prohibitively high fee. |
| 2025-02 | 1 | None | ODI 11641332The panaramic sunroof had gotten stuck open and gears or something are not engaging at times, sounds like motor grinds and the sunroof slips off track and closed unevenly. Will not open back up. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2008: 1 complaints · 2009: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel/Propulsion System | Fuel System, Gasoline | Wheels | Engine And Engine Cooling | Power Train | Service Brakes | Suspension | Unknown Or Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 10439247THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A R… | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10439247THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A R… | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
4 patterns with matching reports.
Hard or delayed shifting
1 mentions · 6.7% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 10439247
THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A R…
Matching rule
\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\bStalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 6.7% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 10439247
THE CAR STARTED STALLING IN JERK MOTIONS AND STOPPED. IT HAPPENED COUPLE TIMES AND USUALLY HAPPENS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR TRAFFIC JAM PLACES WHERE SPEED IS BELOW 20K. I WAS AFRAID THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED CARS BEHIND HIT ME. LATER AFTER COMPLETELY STOP OF THE ENGINE, I GOT A ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND WHEN STARTING DRIVING , THE CAR SHOW LOT OF RPM BUT WOULD NOT DISPLACE/MOVE MUCH. THE CAR HAS 45K MILES AND CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS MIGHT BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I FEEL THIS MB OF USA & NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO GET A R…
Matching rule
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\bWarning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 6.7% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 11586911
I filled the vehicle up with gas and it started smelling very strong of gas for the next two weeks and I discovered gas underneath the driver's rear seat... I cleaned up the gas but continued to smell strong fuel Vapors and I'm just below three quarters of a tank the 15-year warranty is over. The Mercedes dealer says that they can't do anything for free and I feel this is a safety issue that needs to be rectified before someone dies in an explosion... no warning lights showed up but it is a common problem on the E-Class due to a cracked fuel fi…
Matching rule
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b