Owners of 2013 Ford Taurus vehicles describe fuel system failures that fall into distinct patterns. The most common complaint is fuel pump failure preventing engine start after the vehicle has been parked—the engine cranks or revs but will not catch, and multiple restart attempts are required. Dealers and independent mechanics have diagnosed fuel pump failure; in one documented case, fuel pumps were replaced twice on the same vehicle, once before and once after a recall was issued.
Engine stalling at speed is the second major pattern. Owners report the engine cutting out without warning while driving 30–75 mph, causing the vehicle to lose all power and enter limp mode. These events create hazardous traffic situations. Associated repairs have involved replacement of fuel pump relays and fuel pump modules.
A third cluster involves fuel and electrical odors—strong gasoline smell in the cabin and burning electrical odor while parked—with no warning lights present in these cases.
One owner attributed repeated stalls to a faulty throttle body rather than the fuel pump, and paid for the repair out of pocket when warranty denied coverage.
Multiple NHTSA fuel system campaigns (13V227000, 16V621000, 15V812000) exist for this model year, but not all vehicle VINs fall within recall scope. Owners have reported that their vehicles were excluded from campaign coverage even when symptoms matched the described failures.
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel pump failure / no-start condition
Engine fails to start or cranks without starting after vehicle sits. Multiple owners report this as a fuel pump issue confirmed by dealers or independent mechanics.
When: 35,653 miles; 85,251 miles; 174,000 miles; at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start after parking; Engine cranks/revs but does not catch (10-15 seconds); Multiple restart attempts needed; Key stuck in ignition until engine stops revving; Failure recurs multiple times
Codes mentioned: Campaign 13V227000 (Fuel System), Campaign 16V621000 (Fuel System), Campaign 15V812000 (Fuel System)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replaced by dealer in campaigns 13V227000 and 16V621000 (two replacements on same vehicles per complaint #1); fuel pump module replaced per complaints #6 and #9
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 13V227000 and 16V621000 issued; some VINs not included in campaign scope per complaints #4 and #7; no recalls confirmed per complaint #6
Engine stall at speed / loss of power
Engine cuts out while driving at highway or moderate speeds without warning. Vehicle loses all motive power and enters limp mode or coasts to shoulder, creating hazard.
When: 30 mph, 50 mph, 75 mph; mileage 35,653 to 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Vehicle loses all power and acceleration; Vehicle enters limp mode; Dangerous deceleration in traffic; No warning lights illuminate in some cases
Codes mentioned: Check engine light flashing (complaint #4), Check engine light illuminated (complaint #2)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump relay replaced then fuel pump module replaced at 35,653 miles (complaint #6); fuel pump module and relay replaced at 90,000 miles (complaint #9); fuel module replacement diagnosed at 65,000 miles but not repaired (complaint #10)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recalls available for complaint #6; no assistance offered per complaint #9
Excessive fuel odor / fume emissions
Strong fuel smell inside cabin or burning electrical odor when vehicle is parked or in use. No apparent mechanical failure or warning lights in some reports.
When: 125,000 miles (fuel odor in cabin); 128,000 miles (burning odor while parked)
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel odor in cabin while using heater; Abnormal burning electrical odor; No warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Campaign 16V621000 (Fuel System) associated but VIN not included, Complaint #1 references fuel pump replacement under recall for excessive gas fumes
Repairs/costs cited: Per complaint #1, fuel pumps were replaced before and after recall issuance on two police interceptors; odor complaints not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 16V621000 issued (VIN not included in scope per complaint #7)
Throttle body malfunction causing stall and limp mode
Vehicle stalls and enters limp mode at high speed, losing all power and acceleration. Owner identified faulty throttle body as cause rather than fuel pump.
When: 8 occurrences reported; 5 on interstate at speeds exceeding 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at high speed; Vehicle enters limp mode; Loss of all power and acceleration; Dangerous deceleration in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body repair paid out of pocket by owner; warranty did not cover the part (complaint #5 updated 7/25/18)
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.