10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 123,463 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that fuel fumes were present in an around the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a fuel leak. The dealer stated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.
- Hudson, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that fuel fumes were present in and around the vehicle. The contact noticed a fuel leak underneath the vehicle and that the fuel pump had fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump, filter, and fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.
- Lancaster, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. After the contact filled up the vehicle with fuel, he noticed a strong fuel odor. It was discovered that fuel was leaking from the fuel tank. The fuel tank was rusted and corroded and nearly fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
- Webster, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the fuel pump wires had melted. The contact also mentioned that the instrument panel wires were also melted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Tabernacle, NJ, USA
While driving with the cruise control off. Normal acceleration up to highway speeds, upon releasing the gas pedal the throttle stuck open and the car would not decelerate without heavy braking. Pulled off the road and shut off engine. Discovered that the cruise control cable had pushed itself back out of a locking ferrule that is supposed to hold it in place with plastic tabs, and lodged sideways so the throttle was being held open. Put the cable back in place and it appeared to be properly seated but the same thing happened twice more before I could get the vehicle home. The plastic tabs have become brittle and broken and no longer properly hold the cruise control cable ferrule tightly in its socket. I see now from internet research that I could have completely disconnected the cable to completely alleviate the problem. But in the dark & cold and being unfamiliar with the mechanics of this particular vehicle I didn't have that knowledge at the time. Upon a bit of internet research I see this is a fairly common failure mode for this particular part on 2001-2006 Ford Taurus' and other Ford that use a similar mechanical cruise control method. I can't believe that there has not been a recall on this issue... this is a major safety issue and could easily cause a crash and fatalities. It was a pretty unnerving experience and I'm familiar with cars and have been driving over 35 years... I'd hate to have this happen to an inexperienced driver.
- Joliet, IL, USA
The seal leaks on the fuel tank.
- Roseville , CA, USA
- Wayne, MI, USA