US probes Mercedes E-Class fuel leaks

The Mercedes-Benz E-class AMG S 4Matic is introduced at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, January 14, 2013. US road safety regulators are investigating fuel leaks on Mercedes-Benz E-class cars after hundreds of complain

US road safety regulators are investigating fuel leaks on Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars after hundreds of complaints from owners of the vehicles.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it would conduct an engineering analysis of the luxury cars after receiving 370 consumer reports of the fuel problems.

"The complainants alleged fuel leaks or a strong odor of gasoline both inside and outside of their vehicle, particularly after refueling," the NHTSA said in a posting on its website Monday.

The NHTSA said it was investigating an estimated 250,000 E-class vehicles in the 2003-2008 model years.

According to one of the complaints, the consumer noticed a "strong gasoline fuel smell after refueling the vehicle." Taken to a dealership, the vehicle was repaired but the technician noted a fuel leak after the repairs were completed.

Another consumer planned to wait to fix the issue "to see if Mercedes-Benz initiates a recall based on NHTSA recommendations."

Mercedes-Benz, a division of the German group Daimler, said: "We are taking this topic seriously and are cooperating with NHTSA.

"Neither we nor NHTSA have received any reports of fire, accidents, or injuries."