Ford Taurus fuel leak problems

38 of the 16,905 owner complaints about the Ford Taurus describe fuel leak, most of them for the 1999 model year.

owner complaints: 38
worst model year: 1999
typical mileage: 90,000

Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

2013
4
2012
1
2011
1
2010
1
2008
3
2004
1
2003
3
2002
4
2001
2
2000
1
1999
6
1997
1
1996
1
1995
2
1994
4
1993
1
1992
1
1991
1

Often reported together

Fuel smell 8 Fire or smoke 4 Fuel pump 3 Check engine light 2 Stalling 1 Slipping 1 Premature wear 1 Power steering loss 1

What owners say

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · TX

Vehicle emits strong odor of gasoline when setting in garage. Do not see any visible fuel leak. Afraid fumes may ignite!

Filed Sep 18, 2019 · Fuel system · 161,356 miles · CT

On 5/20/19 I filled up my fuel tank and when I returned home I smelled gasoline. I looked under the vehicle and noticed that fuel was leaking from the top of the fuel tank on to the ground. I immediately put down absorbent, parked the vehicle on a flat surface of my driveway and placed a large catch pan under the vehicle where the fuel was leaking. The vehicle had passed emissions about 2 or 3 months prior that includes a test on the fuel system. The amount that leaked out was approximately one half of a liter in total then stopped. No check engine light has ever come on and the fuel leak only happens when I fill the tank until the gas pump stops, I haven't filled the tank full again until yesterday 9/17/19 when I filled the tank full. After the first leak was noticed I brought the vehicle to a mechanic that put the car on a lift and dropped the fuel tank pressurized it and could not find out where the fuel was leaking from. He installed a new sending unit and fuel pump gaskets and reinstalled the fuel tank, filled the tank full and no leak was noticed. To be safe and ease my mind I didn't fill the tank full until yesterday 9/17/19 when I noted the leak again. The mechanic said he didn't notice any premature wear on the fuel tank or any of the components when I brought it to him. I spoke to another mechanic today and he said it could possibly be a faulty emissions valve that is located on top of the tank. I have an appointment on 9/20/19 to have the vehicle checked out again. I am checking here to see if others have had the same issue and if a recall was ever available and if not too add this to complaints.

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · MO

I see that my car has several recalls for fuel module issues. My car recently started leaking gas and the gas hand has suddenly stopped working. According to my VIN the only recall is my door handles but I think that my gas issues are apart of the recall that cnn spoke about. There are also weird issues with the axel or suspension that seem to be apart of the recalls for this year. I'm hoping I can find out if my vehicle is apart of these recalls and that it can be repaired because it is not safe. The AC and heat also have major issues that nobody can seem to fix I believe it's an electrical issue.

Filed Jul 24, 2017 · Fuel system · 62,000 miles · SD

Smells of fuel inside the car and running sluggish. Noticed fuel leaking from near the front of the gas tank, dripping on to exhaust pipe. Having it towed to local dealer to have it looked at.

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 Jul 25, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · 85,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 ford taurus. The contact stated that when the vehicle was refueled, fuel leaked from underneath. In addition, the contact mentioned that after being refueled, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed May 18, 2016 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford taurus. After the vehicle was started, the check fuel inlet warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. The fuel delivery module was cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v812000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 90,000.

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 Nov 27, 2015 · Fuel system · 59,252 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 ford taurus. The contact stated that a fuel odor emitted from the vehicle after it was refueled. In addition, the contact mentioned that he observed fuel leaking from the vehicle and the failure recurred when the fuel tank was full. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump sending unit assembly fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,252. Updated 02/18/16*lj; 4/27/18 *jb

Filed Oct 12, 2015 · Fuel system · MI

The car is leaking gas from the gas tank I found other people had the same problem with this car on the internet.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported August 25, 2016 · 77,502 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.
Risk: A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

Recall number 16V621000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasolineReported December 2, 2015 · 868 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Explorer Police Utility, Taurus, Taurus Police Interceptor, Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Recall number 15V812000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mountingReported September 28, 2015 · 203 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and 2016 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured on July 24, 2015. During vehicle production, the fuel tank attachment bolts may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the fuel tank straps may fracture and the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle.
Risk: If the fuel tank separates from the vehicle, a fuel leak may occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the fuel tank attachment bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S26.

Recall number 15V605000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 31, 2013 · 390,783 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Recall number 13V227000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported March 27, 2013 · 3,037 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 Taurus, Lincoln MKS, and model year 2013 Explorer vehicles manufactured July 19, 2011, through March 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the fuel tanks may have a marginally sealed seam in the side of the tank. As a result, the fuel tanks may not provide the expected strength in the event of an impact. The tanks may also leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tanks and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S03. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 13V109000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported March 25, 1998 · 400 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles previously serviced under ford service bulletin 97-17-9 from august 1997 through december 1997. These vehicles were inadvertenly equipped with an 18-gallon fuel tank rather than the 16-gallon as specified. The 18-gallon tank has a second valve location where a shipping plug should be installed.
Risk: If this shipping plug is displaced, fuel leakage can result. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install the correct fuel tank.

Recall number 98V067000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported August 12, 1996 · 4,700 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The fuel pressure regulator located on the fuel rail in the engine compartment has a vacuum diaphragm that was damaged during manufacture of the regulator.
Risk: If the diaphragm tears or ruptures, liquid fuel could enter the intake manifold plenum through the vacuum line resulting in either release of fuel from the air cleaner assembly or the exhaust system. Fuel release in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pressure regulator. Those regulators produced during the suspect time period will be replaced.

Recall number 96V151000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Taurus fuel leak

Which Ford Taurus years have fuel leak problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1999 (6 complaints), 1994 (4 complaints) and 2002 (4 complaints).

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