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2012 Ford

Taurus FWD

Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Ford Taurus: best and worst years
2012 Ford Taurus FWD (photo 1 of 2)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2012.

PhotoDamian B OhCC BY-SA 4.0Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Large CarsEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (S6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
263
Power to weight
0.065 hp/lb
Axle ratio
2.77
Cyl
6EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
27 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
18 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
21 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,950EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Real-world MPG
21.5 mpg, reported by 1 driverabout 0.5 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
203 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
76 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
61 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
113 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
4,017 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Pass. Vol
102 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Cargo Vol
20 ft³EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
5
Owner complaints
78
Theft rate
1.8 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • STEERING16%
  • STRUCTURE16%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15%
  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING12%
  • ENGINE11%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 100 total.

Ford Taurus: best and worst years

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

49 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Feb 24, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSM 54601

    Ford 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 the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applica

  • Oct 10, 2024UNKNOWN OR OTHERSSM 53040

    While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmis

  • Apr 24, 2024EQUIPMENTSSM 52476

    All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer

  • Sep 25, 2020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSSM 49210

    Some 2009-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbochargers may exhibit an oil leak from the turbocharger oil supply or return tubes, O-rings or 6.7L pedestal gasket. Although oil may collect on the turbocharger, it is very rare for a turbocharger to leak oil. To isolate the source of the leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Engine Oil Leaks - Fluorescent Oil Additive Method procedure. When an oil leak is present at

  • Aug 7, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSM 48123

    For 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) for this concern. Positive battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-AA and negative battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-BA are available for this type of repair. Do not cut or shorten the battery cable, instead carefully remove the affected battery cable clamp and clean the cable end as necessary to preserve wire length. Some rework ma

  • Jul 2, 2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSSM 48070

    Some 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 vehicles may exhibit inoperative or intermittent HVAC blower motor function at various fan speed settings. This may be due to a poor electrical connection at the blower motor speed control. If the blower motor speed control is determined to be the causal part, replacement of the electrical connector pigtail harness (14S411) t

  • May 10, 2019POWER TRAINSSM 47976

    On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Mis

  • Apr 26, 2019ENGINESSM 47948

    SSM 47948 - 2010-2019 Various Vehicles - Turbocharged Engines - Oil Supply Filter Replacement When Replacing The Turbocharger Or The Turbocharger Oil Supply Tube For 2010-2019 vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines, when diagnosing and/or replacing turbo related concerns, all steps within the Workshop Manual (WSM) procedure must be followed including replacement of all mandatory discarded parts. When specified in the WSM, the turbocharger oil supply filter must be replaced whenever the tur

  • and 41 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
3 yr / 36k mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery
8 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.