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2012 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

51 reports with mileage · 27 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

78 reports
30,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
SteeringTraction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRACTION ASSIST WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748090

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V040000 (STRUCTURE), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V040000 (STRUCTURE), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/02 THE CONSUMER STATED THE MECHANIC WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN WITHOUT THE REPAIRS COMPLETED. UPDATED 12/30/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10746509

10,000 miles · Jul 18, 2015
EnginePower Train

THIS CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IT 3 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2011. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE SUMMER ON A WARM DAY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. IN ALL CASES IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES 2 YEARS AGO AND ONCE IN JUNE 2015. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HINES PARK FORD ON 7/16/15 AND THEY COULD NOT…

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THIS CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING IT 3 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2011. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE SUMMER ON A WARM DAY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. IN ALL CASES IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH. IT HAPPENED 2 TIMES 2 YEARS AGO AND ONCE IN JUNE 2015. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HINES PARK FORD ON 7/16/15 AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS CAR STOPPING. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AT HINES PARK FORD.

NHTSA ODI #10734937

30,000 miles · Jul 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THIS IS ABOUT FORD RECALL 15S02. MY DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE HAS BARELY FUNCTIONED FOR MONTHS, IF IT FUNCTIONS AT ALL. THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT ON MAY 4, AND SUPPOSEDLY PARTS WERE ORDERED, BUT NEVER RECEIVED. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON JULY 7, AND ALTHOUGH THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESPOND WITHIN 2 DAYS THEY HAVE NOT YET DONE SO…

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THIS IS ABOUT FORD RECALL 15S02. MY DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE HAS BARELY FUNCTIONED FOR MONTHS, IF IT FUNCTIONS AT ALL. THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT ON MAY 4, AND SUPPOSEDLY PARTS WERE ORDERED, BUT NEVER RECEIVED. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON JULY 7, AND ALTHOUGH THEY SAID THEY WOULD RESPOND WITHIN 2 DAYS THEY HAVE NOT YET DONE SO. IT APPEARS THAT FORD HAS LITTLE OR NO INTEREST IN TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HOPE NHTSA CAN MOVE THE COMPANY, OR PENALIZE THEM FOR THIS LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #10734424

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V040000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:15V040000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10725210

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2015
Service Brakes

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2013 FROM A DEALER IN SOUTH JERSEY WITH 10000 MILES . AFTER A FEW MONTH'S OF DRIVING I STARTED TO NOTICE A SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES . ABOUT A MONTH LATER AT ABOUT 23000 MILES THERE WERE GRINDING AS WELL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE WOULD GRIND THE ROTERS. THIS WAS GOO…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2013 FROM A DEALER IN SOUTH JERSEY WITH 10000 MILES . AFTER A FEW MONTH'S OF DRIVING I STARTED TO NOTICE A SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES . ABOUT A MONTH LATER AT ABOUT 23000 MILES THERE WERE GRINDING AS WELL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE WOULD GRIND THE ROTERS. THIS WAS GOOD FOR 3 MONTHS. I WENT BACK AND THEY REPLACED ALL 4 ROTERS AND PADS FOR FREE AS I HAVE BOUGHT MANY CARS FROM THEM. THE CAR NOW HAS 50000 MILES AND THE HOLE BROBLEM IS STARTING AGAIN. A CAR THAT HAS 50000 MILES SHOUL NOT GO IN FOR BRAKES THREE TIMES. THIS LOOKS LIKE A DISIGN PROBLE AND NEEDS MORE ATTETION.

NHTSA ODI #10723970

78,000 miles · May 4, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING AND DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10714529

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V040000 (STRUCTURE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND REFUSED TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V040000 (STRUCTURE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND REFUSED TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE RELEASED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10714328

41,493 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Service Brakes

BRAKES LOCK UP AND WON'T RELEASE. HAPPEN 4 TIMES SINCE INITIAL 8/20/14. CONTINUE TO BRING IT BACK TO FORD DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712696

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER RECALL ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10712431

Official recalls

5

16V247000 · Air Bags:frontal

Apr 26, 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

15V340000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Jun 2, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

15V040000 · Structure:body:door

Jan 28, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Ford Taurus vehicles manufactured December 1, 2009, to July 31, 2010, and 2011-2013 Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured June 1, 2011, to October 31, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the interior door handle return spring may unseat, resulting in interior door handle that does not return to the fully stowed position after actuation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the interior door handle return spring is unseated, the door may unlatch in the event of a side impact crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four of the interior door handles and either repair or replace them, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

14V285000 · Exterior Lighting

May 29, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Taurus vehicles manufactured November 24, 2008, through February 28, 2014, originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. When used in areas that use road salt, the license plate lamp assembly may experience an electro-chemical reaction and corrosion as a result of water intrusion.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S08. Note: Under program 14R01, Ford will notify owners in non-corrosion states, and, at the customer's request, dealers will replace the license plate lamp assembly.

13V109000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mar 27, 2013

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.