Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Ford Taurus problems
Owners filed 79 complaints about the 2012 Ford Taurus with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is steering (17).
Complaints
79
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering17
- Electrical system16
- Structure16
- Exterior lighting12
- Engine11
- Vehicle speed control4
- Service brakes4
- Air bags3
- Power train2
- Seats2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Lane departure1
- Back over prevention1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
6
7
4
19
8
7
0
6
7
1
5
4
1
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 19 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
17 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Electrical system
16 reports
“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.”
Structure
16 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Exterior lighting
12 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and the vehicle was turned off, the exterior lights remained operational and the battery was drained the following day. The contact stated that the failure happened over several days. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.”
Engine
11 reports1 fire
“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 FAILURE COULD LEAD TO COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE NEED OF A NEW ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS!”
Vehicle speed control
4 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.