97 taurus jerky feeling

okay the problem is that when the car reaches about 40 mph it starts this jerky stalling sputtering sort of stuff. (say that 3 times). kinda like the gas filter is clogging up. it has never just died and it doesn't seem to be serious it is just annoying and keeps me wondering if itv will die soon. this is my grandmothers car and she takes my kids alot of places. i know she said she needs a tune up but nobody will change her plugs because they are hidden on the back side of the engine. when i say nobody i mean friends/family. also are fords bad on brakes? seems every few months she needs her brakes done.
thanks for any advise.

My '96 Taurus still has the original brake pads; no, Fords (except Aerostar) aren't bad on brakes.

Is you grandma riding the brake pedal? Tell her to take it to a different shop next time... That might be the real problem.

You're on target with the fuel filter comment, sounds like a problem with the fuel pressure to me, too. How many miles on the car? Maybe it does need a filter. Take the car to an AutoZone or Schuck's Auto Supply, they will read any stored codes for free. If the fuel pressure is sagging, sometimes a code will be set for "O2 sensor lean". The computer has no way of knowing what the fuel pressure is - there is no sensor - so it won't set a code for that.

I have a 97 Taurus also. I have had the slight hesitation or jerkiness at higher speeds. I did a tune up and that was not the solution. What did work was putting STP fuel treatment in every time I fueled up. I did that about 6 times and have not done it since but I have not had any hesitation either. As far as the brakes go, does she take them to a trusted mechanic? I thought my brakes needed to be replaced, just because they sounded like it. When I took my car to my uncle; who is a mechanic he checked all four and said I just have squeaked brakes. I have had other problems with my ABS system, but the pads were fine.