KnownCarProblems2012 Ford Taurus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Taurus, most often about the steering (22% of complaints, typically around 96,500 miles). It is 16th of 20 Taurus model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2012 Ford Taurus problems
Steering
17 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles.
I am unable to turn brought to a mechanic who said there's a recall 1 5v 340000. Set Ford would fix it for free call Ford customer service they agreed set the recall is on edmunds for the 2011 through 2013 Taurus. Called three Ford dealers who say it's not attached to my VIN called the customer service back they said…
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…
Electrical
16 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while stationary, the fcim (front control interface module) malfunctioned which caused the defrost to have electrical issues. The contact stated that the defroster malfunctioned and blew hot air at 90 degrees. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the fcim…
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…
Body and structure
16 complaints · 20%Parts named most often: body.
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…
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…
Engine
13 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine and electronic throttle control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the…
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.
Lights
12 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
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…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the headlights were not bright enough while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The dealer stated there was nothing they could adjust to brighten the headlights. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles.
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…
The problem has occurred multiple times and with no luck of diagnosis. But my vehicle has lost all electrical function lights, dash cluster, heat, etc. Has done this on different occasions but seems to fix itself but then does it again. With that being said now on top of that my vehicle is stuck is now stuck in anti…
Brakes
4 complaints · 5%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…
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.
Speed control
4 complaints · 5%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…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine and electronic throttle control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Ford Taurus recalls
Air bags: frontal
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Steering: electric power assist system
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: door
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Lights: exterior lighting
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Ford Taurus
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Taurus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (17 complaints, typically around 96,500 miles); electrical (16 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); body and structure (16 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Taurus have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 26, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Ford Taurus?
- It is 16th of 20 Taurus model years by number of complaints, with 79 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.