Ford · Taurus · 2012
5
Recalls
78
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Ford Taurus has 5 recalls and 78 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: structure (15 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.3% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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."
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
My steering all of a sudden was stiff and I can barely turn at low speeds. Not safe due to uncontrolled steering. I replaced the pump thinking that would fix it, and it did not. I’m taking it to a dealer after the holiday weekend. No warnings at all.
The steering shut down and I could not steer the vehicle in a Holiday parking lot and I almost hit a pedestrian. My engine and oil light came on. I had to shut the car off and turn it back on and it worked again. This is the second time this has happened to me!
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed, the vehicle was extremely difficult to steer. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who found that the power steering pressure was low. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
UNKNOWN
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several different warning lights were intermittently flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where she was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure, and the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Driving on the highway, when the car lights, radio, air conditioner, steering wheel, speed all goes out. The car wouldn’t crank back up and theft system keep coming on.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and slowing to make a turn at a traffic signal, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering fault, power steering assists off, and the stability track warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle back to his residence, turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to regain power steering functionality. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to manufacturer Customer Satisfaction Program: 15N01 (EPAS Power Steering Efforts). The failure mileage was 144,027.
Started car and power steering assist fault light came on making the wheel hard to steer. Turned off the car and restarted it and the same issue, power steering assist fault light has been on for 2 days now
The rear backup camera is showing upside down. It is very difficult to see the blind spot area just to the rear of the vehicle when backing without the camera on this 2012 Ford Taurus. I consider it a safety issue in which I have had several close calls backing since the camera shows pointing upward toward the sky more than it did and upside down. I decided to report this problem when I missed seeing a kid behind me at a Wal-mart parking lot. This problem started in mid September 2022. I have researched this issue on line and there are many complaints about this problem from other people about the 2012 Taurus and other types of Ford automobiles and trucks.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the vehicle was turned off, the exterior lights remained operational and the battery was drained the following day. The contact stated that the failure happened over several days. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
In 2016 we had a recall fixed for power steering assist failure after I lost power steering going 55 mph down the highway and approaching a corner. Once again the power steering assist failure happened thank goodness I was not driving but started the car remotely and then when went to leave work I had no power steering! I contacted Ford got a case number and they are saying if fixed once that it is closed. How can something be of a safety concern 1 time but not the next. The parts are in and the vehicle will be serviced in the next week so I don’t have any invoice yet
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT CALLED TOWNE FORD OF REDWOOD CITY (1601 EL CAMINO REAL, REDWOOD CITY, CA 94063, (650) 366-57440) ABOUT HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A FEE ASSESSED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER MIKE WHO IS AT THE SCOTTSDALE, AZ LOCATION AT AUTONATION. I HAD MY VEHICLE WORKED ON THERE A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO. I PAID $1600 FOR REPAIRS; I WAS INFORMED AT THAT TIME THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERTY. I KNEW THE LIGHT WAS ON FOR A WHILE, BUT I DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK. I ASKED WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, WHEN THE SENSOR WILL BE IN. MIKE INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD CALL ME. EVER SINCE I LEFT THERE, NO ONE HAS CALLED TO GIVE ME AN UPDATES ON THE PARTS BEING ORDER. I CALLED 5 TIMES, INCLUDING CALLING MARSHALL WHO WAS MY SERVICE ASSOCIATE WHO PROVIDED NO RESPONSE. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS GOING TO WRITE A BAD REVIEW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR WEEKS AND NO ONE WAS PROVIDING ME ANY ANSWERS, AND HIS RESPONSE WAS RESPONSE WAS, 'I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO THE BAD REVIEW.' THIS CLEARING SHOWS THAT MIKE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT MY SAFETY OR ANYONE ELSE WHO IN IN MY VEHICLE, INCLUDING MY CHILD. I HAVE BROUGHT SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES AND FEEL THAT I TRUST THE MECHANICS AND FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN LET DOWN DUE TO THE UNCARING DEMEANOR THAT MIKE AND MARSHALL NOT RESPONDING TIMELY TO ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS. I FEEL THAT AT THIS POINT, MY FAMILY AND I ARE NOT PROTECTED WITH A VEHICLE THAT WE ENTRUSTED IN FORD TO PROVIDE US SAFETY WHICH WE ARE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. ADDITIONALLY, I TRULY FEEL THAT I'M GETTING TREATED THIS WAY BECAUSE I'M AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN LIVING IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ IN THE YEAR OF 2020 AND I STILL FEEL THAT RACISM IS STILL ALIVE AND TRULY HAVE ENCOUNTERED HERE AT AUTONATION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I FEEL THAT FORD HAS A LOT OF EMPLOYEES WHO VALUE CUSTOMER'S LIVES, BUT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION HAS SHOWN THEIR TRUE COLORS AS TO HOW THEY STAND FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND SAFETY.
AFTER RESEARCHING, FORD HAS INSTALLED FAULTY WATER PUMPS IN THIS CAR ALONG WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE THE 3.5 ECOBOOST ENGINE. WATER PUMP FAILED ON ME AND SINCE THE WATER PUMP IS INSIDE THE ENGINE YOU DONT REALLY KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO GIVE OUT. LEAKING OF THE COOLANT ON THE HIGHWAY. MY MECHANIC WARNED ME THAT THIS FAILURE COULD LEAD TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE NEED OF A NEW ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS!
2012 FORD TAURUS. WHEN YOU FIRST START THE CAR WHILE ITS STATIONARY, THE FCIM (FRONT CONTROL INTERFACE MODULE) MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE DEFROST TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND THE RADIO DOES NOT WORK.DEALER STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND BLEW HOT AIR AT 90 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE FCIM I WAS NEVER GIVING A PRICE FOR THAT PART EITHER AND SPENT 250 DOLLARS ON A POSSABLE IDEA OF WHAT COULD BE WRONG. I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED IT MY WIFE CAR AND SHE DRIVE MY SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AROUND IN THIS. AND THERE ARE OVER 5000 LETTERS LIKE THIS ALL OVER THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THAT FCIM MODULE.
ENGINE TEMPERATURE STARTED TO RISE VERY HIGH WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD CITY STREET AND HAD TO PULL OVER. ALL THE ENGINE COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT BECAUSE OF A FAULTY WATERPUMP THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO RECALL ON ALL THE ENGINES. AS I CAN TELL THE COOLANT DID NOT ENTER THE ENGINE OIL AND DESTROY THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO MY KNOWLEDGE. HOW CAN THE STATE OR THE GOVERNMENT ALLOW THIS TO NOT BE A RECALL AND HAVE FORD REPAIR ALL VEHICLES WHEN THEY FAIL OR BEFORE THEY FAIL TO AVOID PEOPLE LOSING THERE LIFES BECAUSE OF IMMEDIATE ENGINE FAILURE.
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING GOT SUPER TIGHT AND HARD TO STEER. DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD. GOT AN ALIGNMENT IT HELPED BUT TWO DAYS LATER IT WENT BACK TO HARD TO STEER.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the power steering assist fault and service tire mobility kit messages were displayed. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent and would be corrected by turning off and restarting the vehicle. While parking the vehicle, the failure reoccurred but was not corrected after restarting the vehicle. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the e-pass power steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 90,000.
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE BURNING THE TOP OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HOOD. IT HAPPENED SO FAST I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT WAS FUEL RELATED.
TAKATA RECALL.: THE CAR POWER'S DOWN WHILE DRIVING, AIR CONDITION,LIGHTS, SIGNALS SHUTS DOWN, THEFT ALERT COMES ON ALSO. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE CITY, AND WHILE PARK!!!!!
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2012 Ford Taurus has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 78 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Ford Taurus.
The 2012 Ford Taurus received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Ford Taurus are structure (15 reports), steering (14 reports), exterior lighting (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2012 Ford Taurus. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.