2003 Ford Taurus fuel system problems

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · NE

At times the vehicle accelerates by itself albeit I am not touching the gas pedal. While driving the vehicle at 45 mph, I take my foot off of the accelerator and the vehicle maintains the 45 mph speed or increases speed if I am driving down a hill or any downward gradient regardless of the angle of decent. When I try to stop the vehicle using the foot brake it continues to maintain speed and if I put the shift lever in neutral, while trying to stop, the RPM's increase from approximately 1500 rpm's to 3200 rpm's until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, and then, only after approximately five seconds do the RPM's begin to drop to 1000 rpm's. If I am driving the vehicle with cruise control and cancel the cruise control, the vehicle maintains the cruise control speed indefinitely, literally for miles thereafter. I wanted to give this vehicle to my daughter who has multiple sclerosis but it's too dangerous for her to drive with this acceleration problem. Do you have any recommendations for me???

Filed Dec 23, 2016 · Fuel system, Transmission · 168,000 miles · WV

Throttle stuck while driving up a hill going into a turn nearly causing an accident. I released the throttle and the engine continued to rev, forcing the use of brakes to gain control. Placed transmission in neutral and engine revved before turning ignition switch to off position. Inspection revealed that the cruise control cable retaining clip broke and prevented the throttle from returning to neutral position.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Fuel system · TX

There is a serious gas leak on my ford taurus. The mechanic lifted the vehicle and the gas was just dripping out of the gas tank. I was informed not to drive the car since it is a fire hazard.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Fuel system · 127,000 miles · TX

Fuel filter retaining clips (white plastic/nylon) are not available. Maintenance schedule requires replacement of fuel filter and instructions require replacement of r-clips/hairpin clips. Ford does not sell proper retaining clip. This can/will result in a dangerous massive fuel leak when the parts separate.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Fuel system · 136,000 miles · OK

I started constantly smelling gas outside the car then it started smelling in cabin then I located and replaced fuel filter then realized tank appeared to be leaking around seams.

Filed May 13, 2015 · Fuel system, Transmission · 68,000 miles · CA

I was departing from parking lot and the car suddenly had some noise in the hood then lost all the power. After starting engine again, I can shift the gear into d or r, engine works ok but the car won't move at all. Before it happened, the transmission works fine, no delayed engagement, no slips, no jolts, smooth gear-changing...the transmission just stopped with no warning signs at all. The car is regularly and well maintained. No check engine light on when it happened. Later it turned out to be the stripped torque converter splines. It is a very common problem among ford early 2000's vehicles, the splines are only 0.16" thick by ford's defect designs, which can be easily stripped.

Filed Aug 8, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 143,000 miles · GA

My 2003 ford taurus accelerates by itself to 35-45 MPH without having to touch the accelerator (note: the car will also accelerate uphill without having to press the accelerator. Also, the cruise control light works, but the cruise control itself is not engaging.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 147,777 miles · OK

Driving down long road, got up to 40 MPH, car stayed on that speed as if it was in cruise control mode. I had the cruise control off. I even slowed down to 30, car stayed on thirty. Had foot off the gas pedal. It surges forward. I read horror stories of other year taurus' doing same thing, causing crashes. My 16 yr old daughter drives this car. Every other car around this years date was recalled, but not the 2003. I changed my hoses, so it's not that. The car is literally staying in cruise control mode even when it's off. When I turn my steering wheel slightly to the right, I can hear a ticking sound once or twice, not sure what that is, it's scary though. Before something bad happens I want a recall for this year of taurus regarding the cruise control being engaged.

Filed Mar 6, 2011 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · OH

I have a 2003 ford taurus since new. At about 70,000 miles it started having acceleration without touching the gas. No codes showed up. Every mechanic has a different opinion. Basically trial and error, none of which works. I have had the cruise checked, changed the throttle position sensor and the idle air valve. It still does this at 111,000. I am concerned for my wife's safety since it is her car. I read that ford has not recognized this as a problem, but there are hundreds of similar online complaints.

Filed Nov 11, 2010 · Fuel system, Transmission · 198,000 miles · AL

The 2003 ford taurus while stopped at a light or applying brakes will surge and lunge forward. Very dangerous, because it surges with people walking in front of it and cars in front of the car. The car then feels like it is hit from the rear end and smells like it is about to catch on fire. Very scary situation, my children are very scared and we already have an evacuation plan if the car catches on fire. It is defintely not safe. A similar problem has been addressed with the 2006 ford freestyle. It also goes dead while backing up. Even when brakes are applied to the floor, it surges and moves forward. The enginge jerking is a very hard jolt. We hope this will be addressed.