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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.

About this comparison →

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
25,000 miles · Sep 23, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS SEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO BECAME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEATER SETTING COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED ON THE DRIVER' SIDE AND THERE WAS NO AIR BLOWING THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE VENTS. THE AIR CONDITIONER AND WINDOW DEFROSTERS HAD ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS SEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIO BECAME INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEATER SETTING COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED ON THE DRIVER' SIDE AND THERE WAS NO AIR BLOWING THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE VENTS. THE AIR CONDITIONER AND WINDOW DEFROSTERS HAD ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10638522

28,000 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Service Brakes

I HAVE A 2012 FORD TAURUS SEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES. THE BRAKES ARE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I TOOK THE CARD TO THE FORD DEALER, WADE FORD, IN SMYRNA GA, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS COULD NOT BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ROTORS. I HAVE N…

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I HAVE A 2012 FORD TAURUS SEL WITH APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES. THE BRAKES ARE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I TOOK THE CARD TO THE FORD DEALER, WADE FORD, IN SMYRNA GA, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THIS COULD NOT BE FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ROTORS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ROTORS TO RUST. FOR BRAKE ROTORS TO RUST AFTER 2 YEARS AND 28,000 MILES IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607864

18,652 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON I279 AROUND 6:15AM ON JULY1, 2014. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN SAYING THERE WAS A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. AT THAT POINT I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT COURSE AND FORTUNATELY I DIDN'…

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I WAS DRIVING ON I279 AROUND 6:15AM ON JULY1, 2014. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN SAYING THERE WAS A POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. AT THAT POINT I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT COURSE AND FORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HAVE VERY FAR TO GO UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER AND STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE SCREEN ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607821

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXHIBITING THE RECALL DEFECT OF A FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V109000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXHIBITING THE RECALL DEFECT OF A FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DENIAL OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10585732

40,000 miles · Nov 9, 2013
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A VERY DEFINITE LINE BETWEEN THE LIT AND UNLIT AREA OF THE ROADWAY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. THIS MAKES FOR A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE IN MY AND OTHER POSTERS OPINIONS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHENEVER DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551647

26,000 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Electrical System

THE KEYLESS START/STOP BUTTON IS OBSCURED BY THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN BE INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED WHILE KEEPING ATTENTION TO ROAD AND TRAFFIC.THE BUTTON IN OUR CAR IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE A DELIBERATE PUSH TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. WHILE DRIVING I WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE AIR DISCHARGE VENT CONTROL, THAT IS LOCA…

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THE KEYLESS START/STOP BUTTON IS OBSCURED BY THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAN BE INADVERTENTLY TOUCHED WHILE KEEPING ATTENTION TO ROAD AND TRAFFIC.THE BUTTON IN OUR CAR IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE A DELIBERATE PUSH TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF. WHILE DRIVING I WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE AIR DISCHARGE VENT CONTROL, THAT IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE START/STOP BUTTON.WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE VENT CONTROL MY HAND SLIPPED AND THE HEEL OF MY HAND MUST HAVE CONTACTED THE START/STOP BUTTON. I WAS UNAWARE THE ENGINE WAS OFF UNTIL I REALIZED THE CAR WAS SLOWING AND I HAD NO POWER. NO POWER STEERING AND NO TURN SIGNALS TO LET TRAFFIC KNOW I NEEDED TO MOVE OVER.FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. HAD I HAVE BEEN 50 FT. FURTHER, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO SHOULDER TO MOVE ONTO. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS EVENT UNTIL A FEW DAYS LATER.WHILE TRAVELING ON I-90 IN A 3 LANE AREA AT 65 MPH, IN THE CENTER LANE, MY HUSBAND INADVERTENTLY HIT THE START/STOP BUTTON WHILE TRYING TO TURN ON THE RADIO.THERE IS ONLY A 3 1/2 INCH GAP, CENTER TO CENTER OF THESE TWO BUTTONS.HE WAS NOT AWARE HE HAD TURNED OFF THE ENGINE UNTIL HE REALIZED THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN.PLEASE REALIZE TI TAKES MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS TO GATHER YOUR THOUGHTS, TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECOVER FROM THIS. AGAIN, YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, NO TURN SIGNALS. HE TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND MANAGED TO GET US INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN OFF THE HIGHWAY. ALL THE TIME THE CAR IS SLOWING MORE AND MORE, AND YOU HAVE SEMI TRUCKS IN YOUR LANE AND THE ADJACENT RIGHT LANE.WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, THE SERVICE MANAGER TEST DROVE IT AND COULD DUPLICATE ALL OUR CONCERNS AND MORE. #338992. WE ASKED FORD MOTOR CO. TO REPURCHASE, THEY REFUSED, AND HAVE MADE NO OFFER TO DO ANY REPAIR. WHY WOULD A CAR BE DESIGNED THAT YOU CAN SO EASILY STOP THE ENGINE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549583

1,200 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS POOR ON LOW BEAM. THERE IS A HORIZONTAL LINE MAKING DEFINITE DIVISION IN VISIBILITY THAT EXTENDS ACROSS THE COMPLETE HORIZONTAL LINE OF VISION. GOING TO HIGH BEAMS STOPS THIS. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AS I CANNOT SEE WELL ON LOW BEAMS, UPPER GAZING AREA. THE SAME THING IS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS. I STOPPED AT…

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HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS POOR ON LOW BEAM. THERE IS A HORIZONTAL LINE MAKING DEFINITE DIVISION IN VISIBILITY THAT EXTENDS ACROSS THE COMPLETE HORIZONTAL LINE OF VISION. GOING TO HIGH BEAMS STOPS THIS. I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT AS I CANNOT SEE WELL ON LOW BEAMS, UPPER GAZING AREA. THE SAME THING IS REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS. I STOPPED AT THE DEALER, WE LOOKED AT IT, TRIED THE LIGHTS AND I FIND THERE IS WHAT APPEARS A DOOR TO SHIELD SOME OF THE UPPER AREA OF THE LIGHT BULB SO THAT IT IS DARKER AT THE TOP. I ASSUME IT IS TO NOT BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS WHILE ON LOW BEAMS. MY WIFE CONSTANTLY COMPLAINS OF THIS TOO, THAT SHE FLAT CANNOT SEE ON LOW BEAMS. IN REALITY, IF YOU WERE DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND A DEER WAS ON THE ROAD WITH ITS HEAD UP LOOKING AT YOU, THERE WOULD BE NO "DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS LOOK" THAT YOU COULD SEE. THIS LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SYSTEM JUST PLAIN ROTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534381

10,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULICS FAILED ON THE HOOD AND THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR TRUNK ALMOST FELL DOWN ON THE CONTACT WHILE RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HYDRAULICS FAILED ON THE HOOD AND THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR TRUNK ALMOST FELL DOWN ON THE CONTACT WHILE RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522817

6,500 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Exterior LightingStructure

AFTER ABOUT 6,000 MILES WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE BLIS SENSOR AND SIGNAL LIGHT INDICATING A VEHICLE IS IN THE BLIND SPOT WHEN NO VEHICLE OR OTHER OBJECT ARE WITHIN THE AREA. OFTEN THE LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. ADDITIONALLY, OCCASIONALLY STARTED TO GIVE FALSE WARNINGS WHEN NO CROSS TRAFFIC WAS…

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AFTER ABOUT 6,000 MILES WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE BLIS SENSOR AND SIGNAL LIGHT INDICATING A VEHICLE IS IN THE BLIND SPOT WHEN NO VEHICLE OR OTHER OBJECT ARE WITHIN THE AREA. OFTEN THE LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. ADDITIONALLY, OCCASIONALLY STARTED TO GIVE FALSE WARNINGS WHEN NO CROSS TRAFFIC WAS IN THE AREA. NOW VEHICLES CAN BE AS CLOSE AS FIVE FEET BEFORE THE CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT WILL SIGNAL TRAFFIC. UPON ORIGINAL PURCHASE THE CTA WORKED AS DESCRIBED. ONLINE OFFICIAL FORD DOCUMENTATION CITES THE BLIS WILL WORK ONLY FOR VEHICLES AND NOT PEOPLE, INFRASTRUCTURE, BICYCLES, ETC. CROSS TRAFFIC ALERT WILL PICK UP VEHICLES APPROACHING FROM 65 FEET AWAY BUT NOT WHEN APPROACHING VEHICLES ARE MOVING FASTER THAN 15 MPH. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=WIWHCL1VS4S AND HTTP://MEDIA.FORD.COM/IMAGES/10031/BLIS.PDF WE'VE TAKE THE TAURUS TO THE PURCHASE DEALER WHO KEEPS SAYING THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS SEEN BY A TECH WALKING BEHIND THE CAR EFFECTIVELY ONLY TESTING THE REVERSE SENSOR SYSTEM BUT THEY WILL NOT TEST FOR CROSS TRAFFIC OR BLIND SPOT SITUATIONS AND THEY KEEP SAYING THAT CANNOT FIX SOMETHING THEY CANNOT SEE AS BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520982

300 miles · May 13, 2013
Exterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN OUR FORD TAURUS THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE HORIZONTAL LINE ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS DIVIDES THE WINDSHIELD IN HALF AND LOOKING THROUGH THE UPPER HALF IS SIMILAR TO LOOKING THROUGH DARK SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT WHILE THE LOWER HALF IS CLEAR. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT …

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WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN OUR FORD TAURUS THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE HORIZONTAL LINE ACROSS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS DIVIDES THE WINDSHIELD IN HALF AND LOOKING THROUGH THE UPPER HALF IS SIMILAR TO LOOKING THROUGH DARK SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT WHILE THE LOWER HALF IS CLEAR. THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE ANYTHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR, ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WALKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS ON ROADS WHERE THERE IS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IF THERE ARE ONCOMING VEHICLES WITH LIGHTS ON THIS LINE DISAPPEARS AND THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IS CLEAR. IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SWITCHED TO THE BRIGHTS POSITION THE LINE ALSO DISAPPEARS. THIS IS SO DISTURBING THAT MY WIFE AND I TRY TO LIMIT OUR NIGHTTIME DRIVING TO OUR OTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS COMPLAINT A NUMBER OF OTHER TIMES IN YOUR DATABASE AND YOU CAN FIND THOSE COMPLAINTS HERE: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2012/FORD/TAURUS/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING/PROBLEM.ASPX [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511794

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.