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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Ford Taurus Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Ford Taurus has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 79 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Ford Taurus, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Ford Taurus owner complaints

Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Taurus, describing incidents dated September 30, 2011 to September 13, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Steering 17 complaints
  • Electrical System 16 complaints
  • Structure 16 complaints
  • Engine 13 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 12 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 6 complaints

Of the 79 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 3 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11766740 · Filed

    Complete power steering failure p07ae:09-c8 after recall complete 6/29/26

  • ODI #11655569 · Filed

    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.

  • ODI #11639005 · Filed

    UNKNOWN

Read all 79 complaints

Air Bag Second Stage may not Inflate Properly

NHTSA #16V247000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported April 26, 2016 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 695 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.32% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 16C06 · Owners notified June 9, 2016 · Vehicles built March 23, 2010 – September 2, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of Electric Power Steering Assist

NHTSA #15V340000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 393,623 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.35% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 15S18 · Owners notified July 21, 2015 · Vehicles built September 7, 2010 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Interior Door Handle Return Spring may Unseat

NHTSA #15V040000 · Structure — Body — Door · NHTSA notice

Reported January 28, 2015 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 194,889 vehicles

Repair completion: 52.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 15S02 · Owners notified March 23, 2015 · Vehicles built December 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S02.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Water Intrusion may cause License Plate Lamp Fire

NHTSA #14V285000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 29, 2014 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 183,425 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.59% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Ford campaign 14S08 · Owners notified July 26, 2014 · Vehicles built November 24, 2008 – February 28, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Tank may Leak at Seam

NHTSA #13V109000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 3,037 vehicles

Ford campaign 13S03 · Owners notified May 9, 2013 · Vehicles built July 19, 2011 – March 15, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Ford Taurus model years

Check your 2012 Ford Taurus VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Taurus at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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