AI Damage2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 filed 132 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 132
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 57% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 47% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 2% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 2% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 1% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 1% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 1% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 75 complaints (57% of all).
- Fuel system: 62 complaints (47% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (2% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (2% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (2% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 132 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 75 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 62 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Fuel pump housing failed allowing gas to leak, further degrading parts of the fuel system, ultimately causing the locking ring to fail and gas to leak under rear passenger seat. Fumes filled the cabin while my family and I including two young children were inside.
Additionally, the contact saw fuel leaking from the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was part of an Extended Warranty program however, the Extended Warranty Program had expired. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Mercedes benz of fort washington has denied a replacement of sbc unit and components under a safety recall. I lost brakes while driving. 'decreased brakes power' red message appeared
With a full tank of gas, gas leaked out of the top of the fuel tank where the fuel sender/filter is located. The fuel wicked up the foam wrapped around the signal/ power wires, came between the access panel screwed to the floor and the floor. This is the floor directly under the rear passenger seat.
Strong fuel smell after filling tank, drivers side fuel sending unit on drivers side of fuel tank leaking fuel. Noticeable cracks in corners of unit around fuel pressure sender.
Check engine light illuminated, code scan revealed code p0456. Inspection reveals fuel leakage at both the left fuel sender and the right fuel pump housings. Liquid fuel is externally evident along with the associated smell of raw fuel vapor.
I have the original window sticker for my vehicle showing an original cost of close to $90,000. To have a condition where fuel is leaking like this is simply unacceptable - not to mention potentially deadly. I believe that m
The air bag light would illuminated when there was no one sitting in the passenger seat.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,931 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the AMG E55 has 87 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 132, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 132. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (66%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), warning lights, check engine (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2005 Mercedes-Benz AMG E55 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2005 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.