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2012 Ford Taurus

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Ford Taurus
Pictured: 2010 Ford Taurus Limited 2 -- 10-31-2009. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
Se/Sel 4dr Sedan FWD, Sel/Limited/Sho 4dr Sedan AWD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
Length
203.1 in
Curb weight
4,017–4,229 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 22 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2012 large car (18.9 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 10 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Ford Taurus is a large car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 203 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,017 lb (Se/Sel 4dr Sedan FWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 16% better than the 2012 large car average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Taurus — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Taurus →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Se/Sel 4dr Sedan FWD203.1 in76.4 in60.6 in113 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,017 lb60/40
Sel/Limited/Sho 4dr Sedan AWD203.1 in76.4 in60.6 in113 in66.1 / 66.1 in4,229 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Taurus FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive18 / 28 / 22+16%$3,050404
Taurus FWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 21+11%$3,200423
Taurus AWD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20+6%$3,350444
Taurus AWD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20+6%$3,350444
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.9 MPG2012 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Ford Taurus.

Similar 2012 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Ford Taurus (this car)22 MPGNot rated5
2012 Chevrolet Impala22 MPGNot rated3
2012 Dodge Charger23 MPGNot rated15
2012 Dodge Challenger21 MPGNot rated6
2012 Chrysler 30023 MPGNot rated9
2012 Toyota Avalon22 MPGNot rated4
2012 Buick LaCrosse28 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (5)

Air Bags › Frontal · Apr 26, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V247000 · 695 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Jun 2, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · 393,623 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Structure › Body › Door · Jan 28, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V040000 · 194,889 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Exterior Lighting · May 29, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V285000 · 183,425 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · Mar 27, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V109000 · 3,037 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Ford Taurus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

61Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
88,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering16
Electrical System13
Structure › Body12
Engine10
Unknown Or Other6
Vehicle Speed Control4
Service Brakes3
Exterior Lighting3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/01: 119/05: 119/07: 219/08: 119/12: 120/01: 220/02: 120/06: 120/10: 120/11: 120/12: 121/03: 122/01: 122/02: 122/06: 122/10: 122/11: 123/02: 223/03: 123/06: 124/02: 125/01: 125/04: 126/09: 119/0119/0820/0220/1122/0122/1023/0325/01max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Ford Taurus buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 16 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electrical System — 13 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Structure › Body — 12 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 88,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Taurus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Taurus years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 Taurus21203.1 in★★★★★218
2018 Taurus21203.1 in★★★★★452
2017 Taurus23203.1 in★★★★★444
2016 Taurus23203.1 in★★★★★486
2015 Taurus26203.1 in★★★★★6281
2014 Taurus26203.1 in★★★★★5225
2013 Taurus25203.1 inNot rated9564
2011 Taurus22203.1 inNot rated4133
2010 Taurus22203.1 inNot rated3110
2009 Taurus21202 inNot rated125
2008 Taurus22202 inNot rated1128
2007 Taurus20–Not rated046

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →