2012 Ford Taurus Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 20%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Ford Taurus, 20% of the 79 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The problem has occurred multiple times and with no luck of diagnosis. But my vehicle has lost all electrical function lights, dash cluster, heat, etc. Has done this on different occasions but seems to fix itself but then does it again. With that being said now on top of that my vehicle is stuck is now stuck in anti theft mode where the vehicle is no longer drivable. I can not start the vehicle, I have had keys reprogrammed and the car look over multiple times with absolutely no help diagnosing the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289883, filed 2019-12, 90,000 miles“2012 Ford Taurus. When you first start the car while its stationary, the fcim (front control interface module) malfunctioned which caused the defrost to have electrical issues. And the radio does not work.dealer stated that the defroster malfunctioned and blew hot air at 90 degrees. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing the fcim I was never giving a price for that part either and spent 250 dollars on a possable idea of what could be wrong. I need to get this fixed it my wife car and she drive my special needs daughter around in this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11376542, filed 2020-11, 102,002 miles“A complete failure of all dashboard controls occurred without warning. Controls such as radio, volumn , AC, heat, etc are all non responsive! However, the car continually blows hot air registered as 90 degrees through the vents and blower can not be shut off!. The car was parked on a lot in sc. The problem surfaced when I started the ignition to leave, after attending a meeting. I cautiously drove the car home and called a tow truck to take it to a dealer. It has been two months. Yet, the dealer can not get back-ordered parts from Ford motor company to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11057436, filed 2017-12, 23,963 miles“My 2012 Ford Taurus sho was brought into jones west Ford in reno, nevada. It was at jones west for a power steering recall. While on the interstate back home the adaptive cruise control, faulted and caused a warning to appear, as well as a collision avoidance fault. At the dealership in fallon, the service advisor informed me that the acc module was faulty and needed to be replaced. Fallon completed the work but on a quality assurance ride to ensure the module was working correctly, the technicians found that the vehicle was making steering inputs without the driver turning the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10818825, filed 2016-01, 86,250 miles“The keyless start/stop button is obscured by the steering wheel and can be inadvertently touched while keeping attention to road and traffic.the button in our car is extremely sensitive and does not require a deliberate push to turn the engine off. While driving I was trying to adjust the air discharge vent control, that is located directly above the start/stop button.when I pressed down on the vent control my hand slipped and the heel of my hand must have contacted the start/stop button. I was unaware the engine was off until I realized the car was slowing and I had no power. …”
NHTSA complaint #10549583, filed 2013-10, 26,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029052Feb 24, 2026Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing…
- 10164497Aug 7, 2019For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301)…
- 10163573Jul 2, 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer…
- 10156877Feb 7, 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer…
- 10155565Feb 7, 2019Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019 Taurus/Flex/MKT, 2013-2019 Police Interceptor Sedan/Utility, and 2011-2019 Explorer…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10183767Apr 20, 2016Some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen. This may be the result of the ribbon cables not…
- 10056711Aug 26, 2014Ford/lincoln: there is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of abs speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for pcm reprogramming. Model…
- 10056184May 14, 2014Lincoln/ford: in powertrain control module (pcm), that allows anti lock brake system (abs) and output shaft speed sensor (oss) signal faults, a software error has occur and…
- 10053422Jun 1, 2013Ford/lincoln: on certain vehicles, the intelligent access or push button start may have an intermittent ikt, similar symptoms as discharged ikt battery. Models 2012-2013 f-150, f…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 6% |
| 2018 | 7 | 13% |
| 2017 | 11 | 25% |
| 2016 | 6 | 7% |
| 2015 | 31 | 11% |
| 2014 | 29 | 13% |
| 2013 | 59 | 10% |
| 2012 | 16 | 20% |
| 2011 | 47 | 25% |
| 2010 | 19 | 9% |
| 2009 | 4 | 6% |
| 2008 | 13 | 7% |
| 2007 | 29 | 19% |
| 2006 | 25 | 8% |
| 2005 | 28 | 4% |
| 2004 | 26 | 7% |
| 2003 | 97 | 8% |
| 2002 | 42 | 3% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
| 2000 | 62 | 5% |
| 1999 | 51 | 6% |
| 1998 | 34 | 6% |
| 1997 | 62 | 8% |
| 1996 | 57 | 7% |
| 1995 | 95 | 8% |
| 1994 | 81 | 9% |
| 1993 | 156 | 10% |
| 1992 | 70 | 10% |
| 1991 | 44 | 7% |
| 1990 | 41 | 11% |
| 1989 | 118 | 21% |
| 1988 | 94 | 28% |
| 1987 | 69 | 27% |
| 1986 | 18 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford Taurus
17 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford Taurus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology