Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||||
| 976011 | 11/01/1997 | 605804 | Experiencing difficulty diagnosing vehicles with evaporative fuel system diagnostic trouble codes. *tt | 07/26/1999 | |
| BC0713961021 | 10/21/1996 | 50379 | Concerns of a surge (powertrain shuffle) at 35-40 mph. *tt | 04/24/1997 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - CARBURETOR SYSTEM | |||||
| 14087 | 04/01/2000 | 613729 | Some vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble code p1518 and/or p1519, related to intake manifold runner control (imrc). **mr | 07/28/2000 | |
| 96225 | 10/21/1996 | 50944 | Mass air flow sensor - replacement as an assembly - service tip. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP | |||||
| 5226 | 12/01/1998 | 615345 | Information on installing a new fuel pump on certain vehicles. *tt | 01/13/2001 | |
| 12189 | 11/01/1998 | 613242 | Information on installation a new fuel pump , ensure that the pump has plastic sheathing over the wires. *mjs | 06/19/2000 | |
| 98251 | 12/21/1998 | 603639 | Concerns of a possible chafing of the fuel pump assembly wires resulting in an open fuse and/or inoperable fuel pump assembly or a no start condition. *yc | 02/26/1999 | |
| BC0196970201 | 01/02/1997 | 51066 | Noisy fuel pumps on 1996/1997 taurus/sable vehicles. revised fuel pump to aleviate noise. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| BC1010197020 | 01/02/1997 | 51162 | Noisy fuel pumps on 1996/97 vehicles. a revised fuel pump has been released with a modified manifold outlet to reduce noise. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 11793 | 08/01/1998 | 615294 | Some vehicles may exhibit a hard / no start concern when parked in a steep nose-up position with less than 1/4 tank of fuel and for an extended period of time. *tt | 01/12/2001 | |
| 4676 | 08/01/1998 | 615221 | Some vehicles may exhibit a hard / no start concern when parked in a steep nose-up position with less than 1/4 tank of fuel and for an extended period of time. *tt | 01/08/2001 | |
| 98-4741 | 09/01/1998 | 607156 | Fuel gauge accuracy or fuel gauge erratic operation. *ak | 11/03/2000 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | |||||
| 0398 | 05/12/2003 | 10002780 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457. *tt | 09/17/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | |||
| 05/26/2004 | 220000 | 1 | 03/12/2001 |
| I have two essentially identical 19'97 ford automobiles; a taurus and a sable. on the taurus i just had the gas tank replaced because the mechanic said and showed me that it was leaking at the seams. i not ice now a gasoline smell coming from the sable.. based on two out of two vehicles, i believe that there might be a general problem with ford gas tanks leaking. *ak | |||
| 11/25/1999 | 1 | ||
| The poor design in fuel system resulted in fuel pump wires rubbing against the fuel feed line and shorting. yh | |||
| 10/27/1998 | 2 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Noise in fuel system took to dealer twice no solution. sound like gurgle. *ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - CARBURETOR SYSTEM | |||
| 03/01/1999 | |||
| The engine often stalls during a heavy rain or after running through puddles of water. the dealer told me it neded a revised air cleaner. if i understand the problem correctly water is sucked up through the air cleaner causing the engine to stall. the revised air cleaner is a different design which prevents this from happening. *ak | |||
| 12/19/1999 | 0 | ||
| Fter a heavy rain and if car goes through a puddle of water the engine will stall. consumer says engine will start back up again. took to dealer, and they said consumer needed a revised air cleaner. *ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY | |||
| 10/26/2000 | 1 | ||
| The clip that holds the fuel line broke resulting a a fire under the hood. nlm | |||
| 10/01/1999 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| This vehicle quit on the highway and was towed back to our shop. the fuel pump fuse had blown. the wires to the fuel pump inside the fuel tank had been rubbing against a hose clamp and had shorted together. ford does have a tsb concerning this problem. the number is 98-25-1. it concerns me that the wires are shorting out in the highly flammable environment of the inside of a tank full of fuel and vapor. i cannot believe this is only covered by a tsb and not a recall. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP | |||
| 09/16/2003 | 76340 | 1 | |
| The vehicle's fuel pump wires arched which could have caused a fire in the vehicle. please provide additional information. *nlm fuel pump had to be replaced. *ph | |||
| 04/11/2003 | 36193 | 5 | 02/01/1998 |
| 1997 ford taurus wagon. over the past two months, the vehicle stopped dead in traffic 5 times at various speeds with no advance warning. it would not restart. the fuse to the fuel pump repeatedly blew, but no other problems were evident each time the car was towed to the garage. the engine would run roughly, stall, and surge, but the problem was intermittent, and gradually became worse. the mechanic suspected a problem with the fuel system. an investigation revealed that a wire to the fuel pump inside the fuel tank had its insulation worn off down to the bare wire, and had shorted out. other wires also show signs of wear, but are not yet worn through. i have digital pictures of the wires. the wires were damaged due to the way the fuel pump was assembled within the gas tank. this is an obvious manufacturing defect and is not limited to only our car. ford has issued 3 tsb's relating to this problem (98251, 5226, and 12189) and i have also found several related complaints in the nhtsa database (odi id 549996, 707889, 713208, 807546, 838030, 853283, 879245, 10018293, and 8012733). i am concerned that this problem could not only cause complete vehicle failure (loss of power steering and brakes) at any speed, but also that the possibility of a spark inside the gas tank is not out of the question. this wiring problem should be investigated as a possible cause for any ford taurus fires, or accidents involving loss of power. we are convinced that this is a manufacturing defect and that the possibility of more related accidents increases as current vehicles age. ford evidently is aware of this problem, or they would not have revised the wiring harness and given special installation instructions to their technicians. *nlm | |||
| 06/24/2002 | 1 | ||
| While consumer was driving the vehicle, it stalled in the middle of traffic. consumer had taken vehicle to the mechanic, and they found that the fuel pumps positive wire was cut on a sharp edge inside of fuel tank, which left the wire exposed to the fuel tank, and caused it to short circuit.*ak consumer adds that ford is aware of the defect, and now places a protective cover on the wires. *scc | |||
| 12/19/2001 | |||
| While driving 55 mph vehicle began to lose power. shortly afterwards, vehicle completely shutdown. problem occurred due to the fuel pump. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| While driving fuel pump malfunctioned, causing vehicle to stop. consumer had vehicle serviced. mechanic stated that it was fuel pump, and has to be replaced. please provide further details if needed. *ak | |||
| 01/23/2001 | 1 | 05/12/1998 | |
| While driving about 55 mph vehicle suddenly stalled without a prior warning, and had to be towed to service shop where they find out that a fuse was blown in fuel pump. *ak | |||
| 10/01/2000 | 1 | 07/01/1998 | |
| Vehicle would hesitate & wouldn't stay running. wires for fuel pump had rubbed against flex hose, causing it to expose the wires & short out. dealer cold do nothing because no recall. *ak also the cv joints failed and the transmission pan cracked. the brakes vibrated causing the steering to vibrate terrebly. the vehicle, the consumer says, must be defective. *yh | |||
| 05/29/1998 | 4 | ||
| Vehicle initially lost power on incline and regained on decline, until total loss of power after 2-5 mph. occurred on four occasions, on highway trips. dealer initially reprogrammed computer then replaced fuel pump relay. after fourth occasion, replaced fuel pump. also, transmission is sluggish, difficulty gaining speed on initial acceleration. then suddenly surges/hesistates and moves erratically into gear. vehicle hesitates and acts as if it stalls out. | |||
| 08/25/1997 | 1 | ||
| Engine stalled in traffic, nearly caused crash, owner told by dealer, to never allow fuel to get below fourth tank, fuel pump naturelizer stopped operating. dealer is replacing naturelizer . *ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | |||
| 05/25/2002 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states after filling up gas tank, consumer noticed fuel pouring out of vehicle. took to dealer and they stated that the fuel filter needed replacing. please provide any further information.*jb | |||
| 02/11/1999 | 05/06/1997 | ||
| Vehicle was rear ended while at a complete stop. fuel vehicle crash, cut off system failed. car kept running. dealer contacted, and is aware of the problem. cannot remedy the problem.*ak.et. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | |||
| Fuel injection system grounds, causing leakage and complete loss of electrical system which results in vehicle completely shutting down. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | |||
| 05/17/2004 | 143972 | 1 | |
| While driving at any speed the fuel tank leaked. the consumer was concerned that the vehicle would catch fire. please provide additional information. *jb | |||
| 11/21/2000 | 1 | 03/01/1998 | |
| Heater core and expansion tank crack and leaks causing steam and anti-freeze smell to enter car causing poor visibilty and also nausea from smell of anti-freeze. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| Gas gauge reads empty when full, digital miles left gauge read 0, three of four taurus's within the fleet have similar problems with the gas gauge. *mjs | |||
| 10/20/1998 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Fuel spitting out of filler neck, and fuel gauge failed to operate properly. vehicle been at dealers shop on several occasions, and problem still reoccurring. *ak the nozzle shuts off when filling the gas tank and the tank spits out gas. the dealer fixed the problem but the fuel guage still malfunctions. *yh | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY - FILLER PIPE AND CAP | |||
| 03/07/2008 | 123100 | 3 | 04/09/1999 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford taurus. the contact noticed a strong gasoline smell and noticed gasoline on the ground under the vehicle. the mechanic stated that three failures were present: the fuel tank, a coolant leak, and brake line corrosion. there were no warning indicators prior to the failures. the vehicle was repaired. the contact would like ford to reimburse him for the cost of the repairs, but they refused. the failure mileage was 123,100 and current mileage was 123,900. updated 04/02/08. *lj | |||
| 08/01/2003 | 1 | ||
| 19'97 taurus, like many of the ford & other product lines, have the gas filler pipe on the starboard side. with the fuel delivery system almost completely gone to self-serve, this ?!@#$% arrangement generates confusion in busy service stations leading to a great potential for fuel spills and fires. all cars, even if they think the european location is cute should be mandated to have fuel fill pipe location on the port side of the vehicle. reduce confusion. increase safety. *ak | |||
| Would be driving vehicle when engine check light would come on. problem has happened numerous times. have taken vehicle to dealership, mechanic indicated nothing wrong, only fuel cap needed to be tightened. *ak | |||
| Local gas station had low price today so place was crowded. much chaos due to stupid placement of gas filler pipe on starboard side. chaos breeds confusion and unsafe condition. car makers think it looks european but a starboard gas filler location is more dangerous than it needs to be. every filler should be on one side only.*ak | |||
| 10/20/1998 | 1 | 11/01/1996 | |
| Fuel spitting out of filler neck, and fuel gauge failed to operate properly. vehicle been at dealers shop on several occasions, and problem still reoccurring. *ak the nozzle shuts off when filling the gas tank and the tank spits out gas. the dealer fixed the problem but the fuel guage still malfunctions. *yh | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP | |||
| 1 | |||
| Fuel pump shut off switches off by itself for unknown reason while driving at various speeds. this caused vehicle to stall. vehicle was driven to a local repair shop, and they informed consumer that the fuel pump shut off switch should only operate when the vehicle was involved in a crash. *ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | |||
| 07/18/1999 | 1 | 08/13/1997 | |
| Engine caught on fire, most likely caused by the fuel regulator--fuel leaked onto the manifold. *ak *ml | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE | |||
| 02/19/1998 | 2 | 12/01/1997 | |
| During vehicle collision no deployment of airbags,fuel shut off switch failed also during collision. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER - STORAGE - FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM | |||
| 12/01/1998 | 1 | 02/01/1998 | |
| Fuel gauge sending unit failed. yh | |||