Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford taurus. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15v040000 (structure) was received in march of 2015. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The…
2012 Ford Taurus body problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What stands out
Among the 13 model years of Ford Taurus in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Body accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Avoid 2012 Taurus models with unresolved structural recalls, especially Campaign 15V040000, due to persistent parts shortages that leave dealers unable to complete repairs. Door handle linkages and trunk hydraulic struts are prone to failure and replacements may be difficult to source.
Eleven of the fifteen complaints center on NHTSA Campaign 15V040000 (Structure). Owners received recall notices starting in March 2015 but dealers could not obtain the required parts. Multiple owners contacted Ford directly—some on several occasions—and got no estimated delivery date. Parts remained on back order for months. Dealers refused to release vehicles until repairs were completed, leaving owners stranded without transportation or a clear timeline for resolution.
Two separate owners reported trunk lid hydraulic struts failing completely—one at 116,000 miles and another as early as 10,000 miles. The early failure case involved both hood and trunk hydraulics; the owner noted the trunk lid nearly fell on them while retrieving items. Replacement struts were unavailable at dealerships and every aftermarket supplier the owners contacted.
One owner experienced a repeat failure of the driver's side interior door handle, which had previously been repaired under an earlier recall. The handle hung limp and could not engage the door latch, forcing the owner to open the door from outside or roll down the window.
One complaint notes that a dealer held the vehicle for three days after the owner brought it in for the recall repair but then failed to complete the work and refused further assistance.
Same Ford Taurus body reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Structural Recall Parts Shortage (Campaign 15V040000)
NHTSA Campaign 15V040000 (Structure) issued recall notifications, but dealers could not obtain replacement parts. Multiple owners reported extended delays—sometimes months—with no estimated arrival date. Dealers refused to release vehicles or provide a timeline for repair completion. Ford was notified of delays but could not provide resolution.
When: Recall issued March 2015; complaints filed through early 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer unable to perform recall work due to part unavailability; Parts on back order with no estimated delivery; Vehicle held at dealership pending parts arrival; Manufacturer unable to provide timeline for repair
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair could not be completed; parts were unavailable at dealership, Ford distributors, and aftermarket suppliers
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V040000 (Structure); manufacturer notified of delays but unable to expedite
Door Handle Internal Linkage Failure
Driver's side interior door handle failed to engage the door latch mechanism, hanging limply and unable to open the door. Owner reported this was a repeat failure of the same handle that had been previously repaired under a prior recall.
When: Failure occurred after prior recall repair; current failure timing unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Interior door handle does not engage latch; Handle hangs limp on hinges; Door must be opened from outside or by rolling down window
Repairs/costs cited: Previously repaired under prior recall; same handle failed again
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Prior recall repair performed; current failure not addressed in narratives
Trunk Lid Hydraulic Strut Failure
Hydraulic lift supports for the trunk lid suddenly failed, preventing safe opening and closing of the trunk. One owner reported the struts failed at 116,000 miles (vehicle purchased new); another reported hood and trunk hydraulics failed at approximately 10,000 miles with risk of trunk lid collapsing.
When: First report at 116,000 miles (July 2016); second report at 10,000 miles (failure mileage); current mileage 16,500
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk lid hydraulic struts lose pressure and collapse; Trunk lid drops or fails to stay open; Hood hydraulics also reported failed in one case; Risk of trunk lid falling during retrieval of items
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement strut parts unavailable at dealers and all aftermarket suppliers checked
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford taurus. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v040000 (structure); however, the parts needed were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The dealer stated that the parts were on back order and were unable to provide a time frame for when the parts would become available. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford taurus. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15v040000 (structure) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford taurus. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v040000 (structure); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Had body trouble with your 2012 Ford Taurus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2012 Ford Taurus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 77,333 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Taurus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.