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2012 Ford Taurus problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Ford Taurus has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 5safety recalls
- 79owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 3fire reports
- 0injuries reported
79 complaints, against an average of 186 for the other 7 Ford Taurus model years.
Every Ford Taurus model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Ford Taurus?
The components named most often in the 79 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Ford Taurus owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 79 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2012 Ford Taurus stall, lose power or shut off while driving?10 owners · 12.7%
- Why does the power steering fail or feel heavy on my 2012 Ford Taurus?6 owners · 7.6% · Recall 15V340000
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2012 Ford Taurus?3 owners · 3.8% · Recall 16V247000
- Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2012 Ford Taurus?3 owners · 3.8% · Recall 14V285000
Fault codes 2012 Ford Taurus owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2012 Ford Taurus been recalled?
5 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Air Bags: Frontal 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."
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering: Electric Power Assist System 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure: Body: Door 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting 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.
Risk: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline: Storage: Tank Assembly 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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Is the 2012 Ford Taurus recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
EU Safety GateIt may be possible over time for the fuel delivery module in the fuel tank to develop a crack that could result in a fuel leak.Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2012 Ford Taurus owners report?
12 of the 79 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Complete power steering failure p07ae:09-c8 after recall complete 6/29/26
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 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 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 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.
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…
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!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE USING THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,136.
THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO ALLOW EGRESS. IT HANGS OUT LIMPLY ON ITS HINGES NOT ENGAGING THE DOOR LATCH. TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE WINDOW HAS TO BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE PULLED UP AS THOUGH ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM WAS THE SUBJECT OF A PRIOR RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND THIS VERY SAME INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALER.
AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER , I TOOK THE CAR BACK ON 2015, DEALER HAD IT FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS AND THEY NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM NOW THEY NOT HELPING ME GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. THE DEALER IS WAYWEST FORD AT IRVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAIT TEN MINUTES, AND RESUME DRIVING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
2012 Ford Taurus: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Ford Taurus reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Taurus; the most common categories were steering (17, 21.5%), electrical system (16, 20.3%), structure (16, 20.3%). There are 5 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 3 mention a fire.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Taurus?
Across 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are steering (21.5% of complaints), electrical system (20.3% of complaints), structure (20.3% of complaints), exterior lighting (15.2% of complaints), engine (13.9% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Ford Taurus have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 Ford Taurus; the most recent (campaign 16V247000, 2016-04-26) concerns Air Bags: Frontal. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Ford Taurus stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
10 of the 79 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Taurus (12.7%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11447416, January 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the power steering fail or feel heavy on my 2012 Ford Taurus?
6 of the 79 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Taurus (7.6%) describe power steering failing, locking up or turning heavy. A related recall exists: campaign 15V340000 (steering: electric power assist system). The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). One owner wrote: "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" (NHTSA complaint 11495250, November 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2012 Ford Taurus?
3 of the 79 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Taurus (3.8%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. A related recall exists: campaign 16V247000 (air bags: frontal). The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11384214, December 2020). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why do the headlights or taillights fail on my 2012 Ford Taurus?
3 of the 79 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford Taurus (3.8%) describe headlights, taillights or brake lights failing or condensation in the lamps. A related recall exists: campaign 14V285000 (exterior lighting). The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the license plate lamp assemblies, free of charge. One owner wrote: "Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford taurus. the contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights failed to illuminate. the vehicle was driven to the residence using the high beam headlights." (NHTSA complaint 11329588, June 2020). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Taurus
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2012 only. How these reports are made.