| Issue ID | 962728 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10496286 |
| Manufacurer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| Brand | MERCEDES BENZ |
| Model | E55 |
| Model Year | 2004 |
| File date | 03/02/13 |
| Component | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | Same situation identified in pe-12-001. Filled vehicle with fuel and left sitting in driveway. The next day, i noticed a strong fuel odor outside of vehicle and, upon opening the driver's door, was overwhelmed with fuel odor. After a quick online search, i found multiple references to fuel filter leak. I pulled out the back seat to investigate and found that the driver's side fuel filter assembly is fine, but passenger's side has approx 1/2 inch of liquid fuel standing in the filter assembly. Fuel has soaked through the cardboard/rubber cover and soaked the insulation above. It appears that the driver's side filter assembly was previously replaced (this was confirmed with service dept at dealership. They state that it was replaced in 2008 as part of tsb.), but the passenger's side, which is now leaking, is of a different (and i presume older) design. I have read the response from hogan/lovells dated 4/19/12 and would like to note that the "tight seal" described on page 2 which is allegedly created when the "access ports" are "secured by six bolts and [a] gasket" is not sufficient to prevent fuel vapor from entering the passenger compartment, nor is it sufficient to prevent liquid fuel from soaking through the gasket, and into the insulation on the underside of the rear seat. Once the gasket and insulation above it are saturated with fuel, the interior of the car is unbearable and probably a severe fire risk. Nhtsa is welcome to come observe this in person on my vehicle. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 101000 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | DALLAS, TX |
| VIN pattern | WDBUF76J14AXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 0 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
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| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
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