Most common 2012 Ford Taurus problems
Share of the 79 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Taurus complaints by model year
Best Taurus years: 2019, 2017, 2016. Years to avoid: 2005, 2013, 2002, 1995, 2000. Compare all years →
2012 Ford Taurus recalls (5)
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.
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.
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…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).
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.
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.
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,…
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.
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.
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.
What 2012 Ford Taurus owners say
Steering
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.
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.
Electrical system
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.
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.
Body & structure
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.
Hydraulic lift supports suddenly failed when lifting the trunk lid one day in July 2016. Car has 116,000 miles, purchased new. Took to original dealer who said he would install if I could find some. Parts are sold out at every auto parts store I can find, and also sold out at the vendors for the auto parts stores. If there are none to be found, is this a problem?
2012 Ford Taurus engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford Taurus a good car?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Taurus rates better than average: 81% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Taurus at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford Taurus?
The steering — 17 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (16) and body & structure (16).
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Taurus have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2012 Ford Taurus, the most recent from April 26, 2016 (frontal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Taurus?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2017 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2013, 2002, 1995 and 2000. See the full Ford Taurus years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Taurus problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 41,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.