24 of the 1,264 complaints about the 2001 Ford Taurus are about the fuel system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 121,851 miles.
24
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING DOES NOT STAY IN IT'S SEAT WHERE IT IS MOUNTED BY THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING OVER ACCELERATION WHEN USING MODERATE ACCELERATION, VERY HARD BRAKING IS NECSESARY TO STOP AND PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL CAUSES MAJOR OVER REVING OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #11014037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PUT IT ON COMPUTER IT SAID FUEL PUMP MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10683545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. I SEE THAT THROTTLE CABLE IS BINDING AND GETTING HUNG UP IN THE OPEN POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10562551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AT A STEADY SPEED, THE CAR BEGAN TO SPEED UP RAPIDLY, REACHING NEAR 55 MPH WITHIN SECONDS. THE ENGINE STAYED AROUND 4,000 RPM AND USING THE BRAKES ONLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT STOP IT. TO AVOID A CRASH, THE ONLY OPTION I HAD WAS TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN IN TO A PARKING LOT. ONCE IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE'S RPM REMAINED CLOSE TO 4,000. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, I INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE FLIMSY PLASTIC PIECE THAT HOLDS THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE IN THE PROPER POSITION WAS BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES, LEAVING THE CABLE FREE TO GET CAUGHT ON WHAT IS LEFT OF THE PLASTIC PIECE EXTREMELY EASILY. SINCE THAT INCIDENT, THE EXACT SAME SITUATION HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DUE TO THE PLASTIC PIECE BEING BROKEN, THE CABLE DOES NOT SIT INSIDE THE PLASTIC PIECE AS INTENDED, WHICH HAS CAUSED THE RPM TO STAY HIGHER THAN NORMAL AT ALL TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR. WHILE DRIVING, REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BEGIN DECELERATING BEFORE A STOP HAS NO EFFECT, AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED AT ALL TIMES. SLOWING THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE DONE BY USING THE BRAKES. THIS SITUATION CAME VERY SUDDENLY WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PRIOR SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF ANY PROBLEM. THE RAPID, UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION POSES A SEVERE SAFETY THREAT TO DRIVER AND ANYBODY AROUND THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT ANY TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO ME, AND THERE WAS A PARKING LOT NEARBY TO EXIT THE ROAD. IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, A CRASH WOULD BE VERY LIKELY. THIS ISSUE IS UNPREDICTABLE AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND AT ROAD SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. I HAVE SINCE DECIDED TO PARK MY CAR AND NOT OPERATE IT UNTIL I CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT STATE.
NHTSA complaint #10505732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD TAURUS ONTO A FREEWAY AND GOT UP TO 45 MPH AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND THE CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING. PRESSING THE BRAKE WOULD NOT MAKE THE CAR STOP. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THE CAR WAS STILL REVVING UP, SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND CONTINUED DRIVING AND THE CAR EXHIBITED THE SAME CONDITIONS AS BEFORE. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND WAS ABOUT TO GET TO AN INTERSECTION THAT HAD A STOP SIGN. I REALIZED THAT EVEN AFTER PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD, THE CAR WAS NOT GOING TO STOP SO I PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AGAIN AND QUICKLY PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF. I LEFT THE CAR THERE AND WALKED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND TOWED THE CAR HOME. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ANYMORE AND IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10483979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAD JUST PUNCHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES A FEW SECONDS LATER, BUT THE CAR WASN'T REALLY SLOWING. LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THE RPMS WERE AT 4000 SO I MOVED THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING MORE. THE CAR KEPT REVVING AT 4K RPMS THOUGH SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I HADN'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP YET SO THE LAST FEW FEET WERE HARDER TO STOP, BUT LUCKILY THERE WASN'T ANY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME AND I WASN'T IN ANY DANGER OF HITTING ANYONE/ANYTHING. I TRIED STARTING THE CAR UP AGAIN AND IT WENT RIGHT UP TO 4000K RPMS, I SHUT IT OFF AND THEN TRIED TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL THINKING THAT MAYBE IT WAS STUCK OR THERE WAS SOMETHING UNDER IT OR SOMETHING, BUT THAT WASN'T IT SO I SHUT THE CAR OFF AGAIN. THEN I POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE CABLES THAT WENT TO THE THROTTLE HAD SLID OUT OF A GREY BOOT AND WAS JAMMED AGAINST THE SIDE OF THAT BOOT HOLDING THE THROTTLE OPEN. I MOVED IT BACK SO THAT IT POPPED INTO THE CENTER. STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND IT WAS FINE. CLOSER EXAMINATION LATER SHOWED THAT THE GREY CONNECTOR THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE CENTER HAD LITTLE BITS BROKEN OFF. IF THOSE BITS THERE , IT WOULD PREVENT THE CABLE FROM SLIDING OUT. AS THIS WAS ON A WEEKEND, AS A TEMPORARY FIX, I USED A ZIP TIE AND SOME DUCT TAPE TO HOLD IT IN BEFORE I GOT A NEW CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10460322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2001 FORD TAURUS IAC VALVE FAILURE AT 54,200 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10373609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN FLUID LEAKING EXCESSIVELY FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION CASING FRACTURED, CAUSING THE SPILLAGE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE CAUSED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 11/19/10.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LINES. UPDATED 12/01/10
NHTSA complaint #10343497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP AFTER APPLYING BRAKES, CAR ENGINE KEPT TRYING TO GO FORWARD WHILE I WAS PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKES AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP, IT WOULD STOP GO, STOP GO, STOP GO, STOP GO WHILE I WAS PRESSING HARD ON THE CAR BRAKES HAD TO CHANGE CAR LANES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ALMOST ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE WITH THIS CAR, BUT NOT AS BAD. THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON THIS TIME (NEVER HAD A ENGINE LIGHT BEFORE). I TOOK THE CAR TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP (MEINEKE CAR CARE) AND THEY RAN THEIR ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND GOT A (ERROR CODE P0171 AND P0174) SYSTEM TOO LEAN BANK 1 AND 2. THERE WAS AIR LEAKS IN THE AIR HOSE ASSY, REPLACED AIR TUBE ASSY, PARTS (YF1Z6758A AND F6DZ6758A), AFTER THAT THE CAR RAN FINE (FOR ONE DAY). I HAD A PROBLEM ALSO WITH THE CAR ENGINE IDLE (ROUGH IDLE), CAR ENGINE WOULD STOP RUNNING AT A STOP LIGHT. (THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT WENT BACK ON AGAIN). I TOOK THE CAR TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP (PEPBOYS) AND THEY RAN CAR ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC CE SCAN AND GOT (ERROR CODE P0174 SYSTEM TOO LEAN B1 AND B2). THEY REPLACED PCV HOSE (ELBOW HOSE) THAT WAS LEAKING, (PART YF1Z6A664AB PCV HOSE, LF 0019.5800 PO 10332245.). AFTER THAT THE CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING GOOD (SO FAR). THIS MAY HELP IN LOCATING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH CAR ENGINES TRYING TO GO FORWARD WHILE THE DRIVERS ARE APPLYING THE BRAKES. NEED BETTER AIR HOSES THAT WILL NOT LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10322944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MELTED INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 170,000. UPDATED 10/27/09 *CN THE WIRES HAD MELTED INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. UPDATED 10/28/09
NHTSA complaint #10278413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
I OWN A 2001 FORD TAURUS. THE FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS BUT NONE ON THE REAR. MY RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER. I HAD FIVE KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THE FRONT COIL BROKE OFF AND RIPPED THE TIRE. THE COST TO FIX WAS $1,700. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A STRONGER DEMAND FOR FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. SEARCHING THE INTERNET I KNOW THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10248757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR IMPACT ACCIDENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING THE SEATBELT BUT STILL SUFFERED MAJOR AND PERMANENT INJURIES. THE FUEL LINE DID NOT SHUT OFF DURING THE ACCIDENT AND THE FRONTAL DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNAL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. AN POLICE REPORT WAS PROCESSED. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DONE BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10172354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
DT: THE CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. IT WAS A HOT SUMMER DAY AND THE CONSUMER HAD DISREGARDED THE ODOR AT THE TIME. AFTER THE SMELL LINGERED THE CONSUMER INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT SEE ANY LEAKS, BUT DID NOTICE A SPOT ON THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED. CONCERNED, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE CAR TO THE GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK TOWARDS THE TOP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT PURCHASE AN AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT GAS TANK CLAIMING THAT A FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSULTED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LEAK ON THE SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK WAS REPLACED, BUT FORD WOULD NOT OFFER ANY COST ASSISTANCE OR COVER THE REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A FACTORY RELATED DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT OFFER ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS DEFECT HAD OCCURRED. THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *AK *MR
NHTSA complaint #10135566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFICS ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS A FUEL RAIL FAILURE WHICH LEAKED FUEL ONTO THE MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #10115761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. IT WILL STAY ON FULL AND NOT GO TO EMPTY. THE CAUSE OF THIS FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10115423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ON THE DATE BELOW ABOUT 8.00 AM, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2001 FORD TAURUS. ALTHOUGH IT WAS VERY COLD THAT MORNING THE SKIES WERE CLEAR AND THEIR WAS NO PRECIPITATION AT ALL. ROADWAYS WERE CLEAR FOR THE MOST PART. I WAS COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD TRAVELING TO WORK WHEN I ENCOUNTERED AN ICY PATCH OF ROAD THAT HAD FORMED PROBABLY DUE TO FROST CONDITIONS SINCE IT WAS VERY COLD. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MY FORD TAURUS SEEMED TO ACCELERATE PUSHING ME FASTER DOWN THE HILL. A SLOW MOVING TRUCK WAS A HEAD OF ME AND I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN IN TIME. AT THE SAME TIME A CAR WAS IN IN THE PASSING LANE BESIDE ME SINCE THIS WAS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY. I SWERVED AN STRUCK THE CAR IN THE PASSING LANE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. MY TAURUS HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND UPON REPAIRING THE VEHICLE I WAS NOTIFIED THAT A FUEL CENSOR NEEDED REPLACING AT MY EXPENSE. I SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS PART COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. MY INSURANCE IS FORCING ME TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ACCIDENT AND THE POLICE HAS CITED ME ALSO. I WAS NOT SPEEDING AS EVIDENCED BY THE CAR PASSING ME. I KNOW MY CAR HAD ACCELERATED FORWARD AND I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A DEFECT WITH THE TARRUS. ONE LAST FOOTNOTE IS THAT A CAR BEFORE ME SKIDDED ON THE SAME ICY PATCH AND HAD A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED AN AMBULANCE AND FIRE ASSISTANCE. THIS VEHICLE WAS ALSO A LATE MODEL FORD TAURUS.
NHTSA complaint #10108148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH ITS FUEL TANK AS STATED IN RECALL 97 V 144 000, BUTTHIS VEHICLE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE WAYNE PLANT, AND IN THE SAME MONTH AS STATED IN THE RECALL, BUT NOT IN ONE OF THE STATES LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #10039934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES AFTER FILLING VEHICLE WITH FUEL. FUEL GAUGE INDICATION LIGHT FLASH ON IN RESULT OF VEHICLE STALLING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ENGINE IDLES FAST AND VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF AS SOON AS THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #563884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE FUEL SYSTEM GAUGE FLOATS, THEREFORE NOT READING CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #563884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL TO GO LEFT OR RIGHT SIGNAL WILL GO OUT BEFORE TURN IS MADE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THE TURN SIGNAL WAS REPAIRED TWICE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE EXHAUST MAKES HUMMING SOUND WHEN AT IDLE. WIPER BLADE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE GETS LOW MILEAGE WHEN A/C ON, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL.
NHTSA complaint #8003461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH VEHICLE RAN OVER AN ARTICLE ON ROAD WHICH PUNCTURED GAS TANK. TANK PUNCTURED SO EASILY THAT IT EMPTIED THE FULL TANK OF GAS IN APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES. FORD DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE TANK AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #887159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING A STRONG FUEL ODOR CONSUMES INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ODOR BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #881350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM UNDER HOOD ALSO COMES INSIDE CAR THRU VENTS AND HEATER. I HAD 2000 TAURUS SAME TROUBLE SAME ENGINE!!! FILED COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND RECEIVED 2001 TAURUS AFTER ARBITRATION BOARD HEARING... CHECK NHTSA OD ID 871591,735485,872412. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE 3.0 V6 24 VALVE ENGINE. PLEASE HELP ME I AM ON MY SECOND TAURUS. PHONEMAN01.
NHTSA complaint #736848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.