YearToAvoid

2012 Ford Taurus Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2012 Ford Taurus, 20% of its 79 total complaints that year. Owners most often report sudden stalling at speed, with median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. No related recalls are listed for this engine issue.

Engine complaints
16
20% of 79
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with cruise control engaged, then restarts after being pulled over.
  • Vehicle loses power or fails to accelerate when the pedal is pressed, often accompanied by check engine and electronic throttle control warning lights.
  • Engine jerks and stalls after refueling or while driving around 40 mph, sometimes linked to a fuel tank sensor diagnosis.
  • Engine shuts off completely in traffic or on the highway, forcing the driver to coast to the shoulder before it restarts.
  • One reported engine compartment fire occurred while the vehicle was stopped, with owner suspecting a fuel-related cause.
  • Throttle body replacement was diagnosed in at least one case after the vehicle lost power at 60 mph.

When 2012 Ford Taurus engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 28, 2012, latest Feb 23, 2023.

2012 Ford Taurus engine complaints: complaints filed per month1Aug 2012May 2015Aug 2015Jan 2016Jun 2016May 2019Jan 2020Oct 2020
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2012 to Feb 2023; peak Aug 2012 (1).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Ford Taurus

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Taurus model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201068 (33%)
  2. 201156 (30%)
  3. 201216 (20%)
  4. 201387 (15%)
  5. 201428 (12%)
  6. 201541 (15%)
  7. 201614 (17%)
  8. 20175 (11%)
  9. 20187 (14%)
  10. 20193 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Ford Taurus have?
NHTSA lists 16 engine complaints for the 2012 Ford Taurus, which is 20% of the 79 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Ford Taurus engine stalling problem?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for this engine complaint area.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Taurus engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 Ford Taurus is 50,000 miles.
Did the engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data for this engine complaint area on the 2012 Ford Taurus shows 0 crashes and 0 injuries, but 1 fire was reported.
How does the 2012 Taurus compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2012 Taurus's engine complaints made up 20% of its total complaints, lower than the 2010 model year's 33% share and the 2011 model year's 30% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.