Representative model. Photo: Michael Gil from Calgary, AB, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Ford Taurus recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 79
Latest campaign: Apr 26, 2016

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Air bags	1	Apr 26, 2016	16V247000
Steering	1	Jun 2, 2015	15V340000
Structure	1	Jan 28, 2015	15V040000
Exterior lighting	1	May 29, 2014	14V285000
Fuel system, gasoline	1	Mar 27, 2013	13V109000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Apr 26, 2016Latest campaign


Apr 26, 201616V247000	Air bags: frontal An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V247000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V247000 · Apr 26, 2016
Jun 2, 201515V340000	Steering: electric power assist system 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V340000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V340000 · Jun 2, 2015
Jan 28, 201515V040000	Structure: body door 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 15V040000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V040000 · Jan 28, 2015
May 29, 201414V285000	Exterior lighting This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V285000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V285000 · May 29, 2014
Mar 27, 201313V109000	Fuel system, gasoline: storage tank assembly A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V109000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 13V109000 · Mar 27, 2013

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 Ford Taurus? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component79

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

79Complaints filed

1Involving a crash

3Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires
Steering	17	22	1	0
Electrical system	16	20	0	0
Structure	16	20	0	0
Exterior lighting	12	15	0	0
Engine	11	14	0	1
Unknown or other	6	8	0	0
Vehicle speed control	4	5	0	0
Service brakes	4	5	0	0
Air bags	3	4	0	0
Power train	2	3	0	0
Seats	2	3	0	2
Engine and engine cooling	2	3	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	3	0	0
Lane departure	1	1	0	0
Back over prevention	1	1	0	0

3 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“Complete power steering failure p07ae:09-c8 after recall complete 6/29/26”
Filed 09/24/2026 · ODI 11766740
Steering
“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.”
Filed 04/19/2025 · ODI 11655569
Unknown or other
“UNKNOWN”
Filed 01/28/2025 · ODI 11639005

Other Ford Taurus model years

All years: 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012 · 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

Other Ford models

All Ford models and years →

2012 Ford Taurus recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Taurus have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford Taurus. The most recent, 16V247000 (reported April 26, 2016), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Ford Taurus?

Steering is the most-reported component, named in 17 complaints out of 79 filed with NHTSA (22%). Across all complaints, owners reported 1 crash and 3 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Ford Taurus?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

Check a specific Ford by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+

Need the factory options too? See the Ford build sheet & window sticker guide.

Recall summary by component5

Safety recalls5

Air bags: frontal

Steering: electric power assist system

Structure: body door

Exterior lighting

Fuel system, gasoline: storage tank assembly