AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2012 Ford Taurus
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 78 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Ford Taurus, most frequently naming the body & structure, steering and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 53 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2012 | 2 | 3 |
| Apr 2012 | 1 | 4 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 6 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 7 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 8 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 9 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 10 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 11 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 12 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 13 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 14 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 15 |
| Jul 2014 | 2 | 17 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 18 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 20 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 22 |
| Jun 2015 | 2 | 24 |
| Jul 2015 | 2 | 26 |
| Aug 2015 | 3 | 29 |
| Sep 2015 | 3 | 32 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 34 |
| Nov 2015 | 2 | 36 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 37 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 38 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 39 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 40 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 41 |
| Sep 2016 | 2 | 43 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 44 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 45 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 46 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 47 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 48 |
| Jul 2017 | 2 | 50 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 51 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 52 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 53 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 54 |
| Jul 2019 | 2 | 56 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 57 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 58 |
| Jan 2020 | 2 | 60 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 61 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 62 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 63 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 64 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 65 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 66 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 67 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 68 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 69 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 70 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 71 |
| Feb 2023 | 2 | 73 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 74 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 75 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 76 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 77 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 78 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Body & structure1617.2%
- Steering1617.2%
- Electrical1516.1%
- Engine1314.0%
- Exterior lighting1212.9%
- Driver assistance55.4%
- Brakes44.3%
- Airbags33.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSTEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11655569
- Incident
- Apr 17, 2025
UNKNOWN
- NHTSA ID
- 11639005
- Incident
- May 16, 2023
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!
- NHTSA ID
- 11569997
- Incident
- Feb 2, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11528532
- Incident
- Jun 14, 2023
- Mileage
- 93,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11514144
- Incident
- Feb 28, 2023
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11508801
- Incident
- Feb 23, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11506113
- Incident
- Jan 21, 2023
- Mileage
- 144,027 mi
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 ID
- 11495250
- Incident
- Nov 27, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
EQUIPMENT
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at a turbocharger oil supply or drain tube, remove the affected oil tube and inspect for damage, and replace the O-ring seals, pedestal gasket or oil tube as required. Refer to WSM, Section 303-04. For claiming, use the affected oil tube or pedestal gasket as the causal part and applicable labor operations in Sections 6 and 9 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern. Positive battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-AA and negative battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-BA are available for this type of repair. Do not cut or shorten the battery cable, instead carefully remove the affected battery cable clamp and clean the cable end as necessary to preserve wire length. Some rework may be necessary for some vehicle environments. Bend the new positive battery cable clamp as needed and crimp it to the existing battery cable. Make sure to use heat shrink tubing over the battery cable to battery cable clamp connection. Obtain the heat shrink tube locally.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer vehicles may exhibit inoperative or intermittent HVAC blower motor function at various fan speed settings. This may be due to a poor electrical connection at the blower motor speed control. If the blower motor speed control is determined to be the causal part, replacement of the electrical connector pigtail harness (14S411) to the blower motor speed control is also recommended to avoid repeat repairs. Use pigtail harness service part numbers 3U2Z-14S411-ZEA or CU2Z-14S411-FA, as both parts are interchangeable. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 5 for recommended splicing procedures.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 59.5 |
| 2018 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 63.7 |
| 2017 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2016 | 79 | 4 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2015 | 262 | 6 | 0 | 62.6 |
| 2014 | 228 | 5 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2013 | 581 | 9 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2012Viewing | 78 | 5 | 0 | 46.8 |
| 2011 | 187 | 4 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 2010 | 204 | 3 | 0 | 53.0 |
| 2009 | 64 | 0 | 0 | 41.4 |
| 2008 | 175 | 1 | 1 | 50.1 |
| 2007 | 149 | 1 | 1 | 42.6 |
| 2006 | 318 | 3 | 1 | 53.4 |
| 2005 | 774 | 1 | 2 | 48.1 |
| 2004 | 375 | 2 | 2 | 58.0 |
| 2003 | 1,223 | 4 | 4 | 57.0 |
| 2002 | 1,426 | 4 | 4 | 60.8 |
| 2001 | 1,037 | 10 | 8 | 65.9 |
| 2000 | 1,195 | 8 | 9 | 64.6 |
| 1999 | 874 | 7 | 2 | 59.8 |
| 1998 | 545 | 4 | 0 | 55.2 |
| 1997 | 770 | 5 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 1996 | 825 | 8 | 0 | 53.7 |
| 1995 | 1,205 | 6 | 4 | 62.3 |
| 1994 | 923 | 5 | 4 | 61.2 |
| 1993 | 1,557 | 8 | 13 | 61.8 |
| 1992 | 681 | 6 | 14 | 64.9 |
| 1991 | 649 | 5 | 14 | 63.5 |
| 1990 | 381 | 8 | 15 | 66.2 |
| 1989 | 562 | 7 | 17 | 67.9 |
| 1988 | 333 | 6 | 23 | 67.9 |
| 1987 | 255 | 9 | 26 | 70.1 |
| 1986 | 101 | 9 | 22 | 61.1 |
| 1985 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1984 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.