2012 Ford F150

Family: F150 · filed with NHTSA as F-150

Summary

In its first three years the 2012 F150 drew 399 complaints — 1.6× the median of its generation (2009–2014). It is among the most-complained-about years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Powertrain, holds 40% of the 1,711 that name a component.
4 recalls filed for this model year.
4 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 1,784
Recalls: 4
Investigations: 4
NCAP overall: 4 of 5 stars
Combined MPG: 13–19
Annual fuel cost: $3,300–$4,800
Median mileage at complaint: 63,000 mi (n = 1,473)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 40 / 14 / 29 / 2

What owners report

Powertrain

682 complaints · 40% of complaints that name a component · median 90,000 mi (n = 539)

Owner report The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in 4th or 5th gear, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into 1st gear. The contact pulled to the side of the road and manually shifted into 2nd gear and drove to the residence. The dealer was contacted and confirmed tha…

Owner report The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The failure was a persistent failure, with the power train warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle w…

Engine

498 complaints · 29% of complaints that name a component · median 23,000 mi (n = 448)

Owner report i dropped my ford truck off for a recall that was done only three months ago and it had an extended warranty (Recall campaign number 19S07/19V075 sudden downshift powertrian control module programming) with it but it didnt fix the problem. when i picked up my truck after them keeping it for two weeks and telling me th…

Owner report Wrench icon came on, truck wouldn’t shift out of first gear, speedometer and mileage stopped working. Lead Frame recall according to my mechanic, $2,000 fix out of pocket. Truck only has 140,000 miles but is a 2012 so Ford says I’m outside of the free recall replacement. Had no problems at all until over 135,000 miles,…

Steering

204 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 72,000 mi (n = 165)

Owner report While Driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous Ford formums and websites for my year and model truck.

Owner report The component involved is the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system. It intermittently fails and returns unexpectedly, causing sudden changes in steering effort and jerking of the steering wheel. This creates a serious safety risk because vehicle control can change without warning, especially at highway spee…

4% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2009–2014)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 252.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
2009	324	85	fewest complaints
2010	843	176
2011	2,194	294
2012	1,784	399	most complaints
2013	2,992	340
2014	1,539	211

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

19V075000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Filed 2019-02-11 · 1,263,051 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.

16V248000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Filed 2016-04-27 · 153,581 vehicles

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Risk: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

12V190000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS | POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Filed 2012-05-03 · 10,500 vehicles

Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Risk: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE "R" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE’S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE "R" MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE’S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

12V198000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Filed 2012-05-03 · 101 vehicles

Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011. INCORRECT SOFTWARE FOR THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MODULE (OCSM) WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES EITHER AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING OR DURING THE COURSE OF REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AS PART OF A SERVICE REPAIR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE OCSM MAY MISCLASSIFY THE PASSENGER SEAT’S OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR DEPLOYS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT.

Risk: A FAILURE TO DEPLOY, FAILURE TO DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR A DEPLOYMENT WHEN NOT INTENDED, INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCSM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
RQ17010	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)	2017-12-25	2019-10-22	19V075000
EA15006	SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC	2015-10-16	2016-04-28
PE15026	SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC	2015-06-22	2015-10-19
PE13018	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2013-05-22	2014-04-07

RQ17010: Unexpected Transmission Downshift

EA15006: Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

PE15026: Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

PE13018: Reduced power during hard acceleration

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
F150 Pickup 2WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	22	19	$3300
F150 Pickup 2WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	16	22	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 2WD	6.2L 8cyl	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	13	18	15	$4150
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	23	19	$3300
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	17	23	19	$3300
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 2WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	Rear-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 4WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 4WD	3.5L 6cyl	Automatic 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	15	21	17	$3650
F150 Pickup 4WD	6.2L 8cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	12	16	13	$4800
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	3.7L 6cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	16	21	18	$3450
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic 6-spd	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	14	19	16	$3900
F150 Pickup 4WD FFV	5.0L 8cyl FFV	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	14	19	16	$3900
F150 Raptor Pickup 4WD	6.2L 8cyl	Automatic (S6)	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	12	16	13	$4800

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆
2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆
2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x2	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Ford issued 117 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about power train.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2026-04-29	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
2026-02-24	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	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 access…
2025-11-19	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or m…
2024-10-10	UNKNOWN OR OTHER	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. …
2024-07-24	WHEELS	This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhib…
2024-04-24	EQUIPMENT	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 ini…
2024-03-06	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the so…
2023-04-04	STRUCTURE	For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification numbe…
2022-06-21	POWER TRAIN	Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IW…
2021-08-17	POWER TRAIN	This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this F150, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford F150 model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.