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Ford Taurus fuel smell problems

64 of the 16,905 owner complaints about the Ford Taurus describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2000 model year.

owner complaints
64
worst model year
2000
typical mileage
70,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 15, 2024 · Fuel system · SD

For the last 3 days there has been a gas smell in the garage. We have driven it 2 times. 3 days ago at 17 below and yesterday at 30 below. Cannot find any leaks. Gas tank is a little over 1/2 full.

Filed Jan 11, 2023 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a fuel odor inside the vehicle while using the heater. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V621000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2022 · Fuel system · 127,424 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the fuel line had been leaking, requiring frequent refueling. The vehicle had been emitting a fuel odor. While idle the vehicle suddenly jerked and the fuel indicator warning illuminated. The contact pulled into a nearby parking space where the fuel indicator showed 20 miles to empty however, the fuel gauge showed empty. The contact had a certified mechanic diagnose the vehicle and determined that the fuel line had been previously repaired as a temporary fix. The fuel line had been replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 127,424.

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · Fuel system · IL

Smell of gas inside and outside of 2016 Ford Taurus while driving and while not driving. Dealer hasn't done anything to correct the problem despite consumer's on going requests both at the dealership and corporate executive level. All ford did was to take $248.42 from consumer on 12/22/21 for allegedly cleaning fuel injectors, intake manifold, ports and combustion chamber which should have been covered by the 7 year warranty which consumer purchased from dealer on 5/20/16 when vehicle was. Dealer refused to cover this defect under the warranty.

Filed Oct 29, 2018 · Fuel system · NC

Car stalls and cuts off without warning while driving. It loses all power and shuts down.it has happened serveral times periodical on a city street as well as on the highway while car is in motion.there is also a problem with smelling gas fumes inside the car when this happens.

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 Jul 13, 2017 · 50,000 miles · FL

Exhaust fumes inside the vehicle causing me to be sleepy and sick. Most noticed when driving.

Filed Feb 2, 2017 · Fuel system · 198,023 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford taurus. Upon starting the vehicle, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel odor had been present since 2012. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/09/17*lj the consumer stated that the vehicle is sluggish at times. Also the tires spin when starting and stopping the vehicle. Updated 08/30/2017

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · 200 miles · OK

This new 2016 taurus sho has a strong fuel, oil or carbon monoxide fumes entering the cabin while driving. This occurs with or without the AC running. The fumes are so strong that I must drive with the windows down. Of course, when it is raining, I must breathe in the fumes because the windows are rolled up. So far, it is causing irritation to the eyes and throat. I took it to the service department of the dealer where I purchased the car but they said they "could not duplicate" the fuel smell and that it is probably just new car or plastic smell. I asked them to check the fuel delivery module but they did not do so. This is a driveability issue which should not exist in a new car. Emissions into the cabin should have been checked prior to delivery and sale given the prior ford recalls and technical service bulletins related to this problem on this model.

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

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 smell

Which Ford Taurus years have gas smell in the cabin problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2000 (10 complaints), 2013 (8 complaints) and 2002 (7 complaints).

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