The 2012 Taurus is available in SE, SEL and Limited trim levels and is offered with front- or all-wheel drive. The Taurus, which seats up to five people, competes with the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon. It is also offered as the high-performance Taurus SHO, which is powered by a twin-turbo V-6 ... Read Full Report
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Notable Features
Editor's note: This review was written in October 2010 about the 2011 Ford Taurus SHO. Little of substance has changed with this year's model. To see what's new for 2012, click here, or check out a side-by-side comparison of the two model years. The SHO version of Ford's full-size Taurus sedan tries hard to do a lot of things, but it doesn't excel at any of them. It wan... Read full review for the 2012 Ford Taurus
I have now logged 2,000 mile on my 21012 Taurus Limited. Great car. This is probably the best new car I've ever owned ...which includes an Audi A6, and a Chrysler 300. It's big yet handles very well, ... Read Full Review
Recalls
There are currently 5 recalls for this car.
Safety defects and recalls are relatively common. Stay informed and know what to do ahead of time.
Service & Repair
Bumper-to-Bumper
36mo/36,000mi
Powertrain
60mo/60,000mi
Roadside Assistance Coverage
60mo/60,000mi
What you should get in your warranty can be confusing. Make sure you are informed.
Bumper-to-Bumper
Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.
Powertrain
Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.
Roadside Assistance
Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).
Free Scheduled Maintenance
Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.
