Lawsuit Investigation: Does Your Mercedes GLC- or C-Class Vehicle Smell Like Gas Fumes?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed on behalf of 2015–2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class or GLC-Class vehicle owners.

They’re looking into whether a defect in the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system is causing a strong fuel or gas smell to develop in the passenger compartment. If a defect is found, the attorneys may be able to get a class action lawsuit started.

They need to learn more about the problem to help determine whether a class action lawsuit can be filed. 

What Could Be Causing a Gas Odor in the Mercedes Vehicles?

Attorneys are specifically looking into whether a design or manufacturing defect exists in a part of the car known as the positive crankcase ventilation system. The system, which consists of a tube, much like a fuel line, a one-way valve and a vacuum source, works to reduce air pollution by sending unwanted gases from the crankcase back to the engine to be burned.

It’s possible, however, that the lines in certain Mercedes PCV systems are actually leaking these unwanted gases, causing drivers to notice a fuel or petrol smell in the cabin of their vehicles.

Drivers who brought their vehicles to a mechanic or dealership over the problem may have required repairs to their engine, PCV lines or other parts of the crankcase ventilation system.

What Are Drivers Saying About the Problem?

The following are among the complaints [sic throughout, emphasis ours] posted online by Mercedes drivers who have notice a strong gas odor in their vehicles, which may be a symptom of a failing crankcase ventilation system and/or related lines.  

Gas smell coming through the vents started off every now and then and became more frequent. Pulled it in the garage and the gas fumes made the total garage smell. Took it to the dealer and they said it is fuel line, that sits near the engine…After googling I see several other people have had this issue with this car.”
— 2016 C300 driver, CarProblemZoo.com

I have a 2016 GLC 300 with about 55,000 miles on it. We are getting an intermittent fuel smell inside the cabin. [It’s] usually shortly after the car is started. I don’t see any evidence of the leak.”
— coaltec, 2016 GLC 300 driver, MBWorld.org

I just purchased a 2016 MB C300 and I just started after sitting for about 24 hours and it smells like gas inside really bad...when the heat kicked on it was worse...anybody have the same issue and any resolutions??”
— Linda S., 2016 C300 driver, MBWorld.org

I am noticing a gas smell coming through the vents. It happens only in the morning when I first start my car which sits outside overnight. It tends to dissipate after I get going for a few minutes. It seems to only happen after the car has been sitting for some time. On one occasion when I had it in a garage overnight there was a gas smell even outside of the vehicle before I started it and I checked for any leakage but there was nothing it was totally dry underneath the vehicle. Any thoughts as to what this may be?”
— Dman51, 2015 C300 driver, MBWorld.org

There's fuel smell coming into the cabin. Brought it into mercedes dealer service center and they said it's 2 broken fuel line. It's a common issue with this generation c class but they refuse to fix it under warranty.”
— 2015 C300 driver, CarProblemZoo.com

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

If filed and successful, a class action lawsuit could help drivers get back any money they spent on vehicle repairs. It could also force the manufacturer to find a fix for the problem and provide it to drivers free of charge.

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