repaired · 2026 Q3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2005 Mercedes-Benz E500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 140 owner complaints about the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-874 the manufacturer reports only 10% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500 has problems
140 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
55Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
34Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
23Fuel system, gasoline
10Suspension
8Engine
7Electrical system
6Air bags
6Power train
4Vehicle speed control
128 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 55 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 34 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 23 | 0 |
| Suspension | 10 | 0 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 2 |
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 |
| 8 other systems | 12 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2005 Mercedes-Benz E500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Mileage at failure
When do fuel/propulsion system problems start?
105kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 47 fuel/propulsion system complaints. 43% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles20under 100k miles27100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Fuel/propulsion system
10 owners mentioned a cost$1,750median
Middle half: $975 – $2,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other E500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E500 median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E500, and the recalls they led to.
- Fuel Leakage From The Fuel TankNo recall
- Driver Air Bag Circuit High ResistanceNo recall
In owners' words
What E500 owners report
Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
2005 e500 mercedes benz,after full tank of gas I filled. I noticed very strong gas inside my car and outside. It can catch on fired. cause cancer and lung issues.
The 2005 E500 W211 gas tank cracks leaking fuel sending unit and fuel pump. The odor of gas permeates the cabin, recall campaign number 2008-020001, and it’s extension information of 15 years dated Jan. 2015 signed by Ralph S. Fisher GM customer assistance center. The dealer in Hawai’i refuse to…
Own a 2005 E500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.