NHTSA investigating reported Mercedes fuel leak.

The AP (3/20) reports, "Federal safety regulators are investigating reports of fuel leaks in about 250,000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars." The NHTSA "and Mercedes have received 533 complaints from owners about a strong odor of gasoline, mainly after refueling. The agency says fuel may be leaking from the upper part of the gas tank." No injuries or fires have been reported from the defect that affects vehicles from the 2003 to 2008 model years. The AP notes that "the agency is looking into whether the leaks were caused by a 2008 pollution control recall."

        The Los Angeles Times (3/19, White, 692K) notes that "the investigation was launched after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Mercedes-Benz received more than 500 complaints from owners about a strong odor of gasoline, mainly after refueling." The NHTSA reports on its website that "since opening the investigation ODI has received an additional 350 reports relevant to this investigation. Of those reports, 116 reports are on the E55 AMG model. The remaining 234 reports are on other E-class models (i.e., E320, E350, E500, E550 and E63) which are now included." The Times notes that "E-Class cars have a starting price of about $51,000."

        Also reporting on the investigation are WDIV-TV Detroit (3/20) and Reuters (3/19).