NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
15 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · Mar 28, 2023
Electrical System
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…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #11514144
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
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.
NHTSA ODI #11508801
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2022
Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemLane Departure
The rear backup camera is showing upside down. It is very difficult to see the blind spot area just to the rear of the vehicle when backing without the camera on this 2012 Ford Taurus. I consider it a safety issue in which I have had several close calls backing since the camera shows pointing upward toward the sky more than it d…
Read full complaint
The rear backup camera is showing upside down. It is very difficult to see the blind spot area just to the rear of the vehicle when backing without the camera on this 2012 Ford Taurus. I consider it a safety issue in which I have had several close calls backing since the camera shows pointing upward toward the sky more than it did and upside down. I decided to report this problem when I missed seeing a kid behind me at a Wal-mart parking lot. This problem started in mid September 2022. I have researched this issue on line and there are many complaints about this problem from other people about the 2012 Taurus and other types of Ford automobiles and trucks.
NHTSA ODI #11487510
102,002 miles · Nov 27, 2020
Electrical System
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 …
Read full complaint
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. AND THERE ARE OVER 5000 LETTERS LIKE THIS ALL OVER THE INTERNET IT SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THAT FCIM MODULE.
NHTSA ODI #11376542
90,000 miles · Dec 18, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
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…
Read full complaint
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. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON MY OWN AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NO SUCCESS GETTING THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS 7/01/17 AND HAS CONTINUED OFF AND ON UP TO DATE AND HAS NOW LIKE STATED EARLIER HAS NOW MANIFESTED INTO THE ANTI THEFT NOT ALLOWING CAR TO BE STARTED RENDERING IN NON DRIVABLE AT THIS TIME
NHTSA ODI #11289883
24 miles · Aug 11, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainVisibility/wiper
TAKATA RECALL.: THE CAR POWER'S DOWN WHILE DRIVING, AIR CONDITION,LIGHTS, SIGNALS SHUTS DOWN, THEFT ALERT COMES ON ALSO. ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE CITY, AND WHILE PARK!!!!!
NHTSA ODI #11243096
23,963 miles · Dec 29, 2017
Electrical System
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 ST…
Read full complaint
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. I CAN NOT /WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION. I WONDER WHAT OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EXIST. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE -- ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 24,000 MILES ON IT! I HAVE NO CAR TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #11057436
38,000 miles · Oct 7, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE FCIM (FRONT CONTROL INTERFACE MODULE) MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE DEFROST TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND BLEW HOT AIR AT 90 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE FCIM (FRONT CO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE FCIM (FRONT CONTROL INTERFACE MODULE) MALFUNCTIONED WHICH CAUSED THE DEFROST TO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED AND BLEW HOT AIR AT 90 DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING THE FCIM (FRONT CONTROL INTERFACE MODULE) REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/31/17*LJ *TR
NHTSA ODI #10914484
80,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Electrical SystemService Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAIT TEN MINUTES, AND RESUME DRIVING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAIT TEN MINUTES, AND RESUME DRIVING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10906726
21,000 miles · Mar 25, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, PLACED IN PARK, AND RESTARTED ON THE INITIAL ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING,…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, PLACED IN PARK, AND RESTARTED ON THE INITIAL ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. ON MAY 16, 2016 AFTER DRIVING A VERY SHORT DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CONSUMER HAD NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. HOWEVER, THE TURN SIGNALS AND HORN WORKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/08/16.*JB STATUS UPDATE 07/06/16.*JB UPDATED 08/04/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10851647
Official recalls
5Apr 26, 2016
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Jun 2, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Jan 28, 2015
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
May 29, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: This corrosion may result in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Mar 27, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗