2012 Ford F-150 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
2,440 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 Ford F-150, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 4 defect investigations. It scores 54/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 90,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2012 sits among all F-150 years
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 F-150
“I am unsure if it is a down shift or what, but my truck shakes and is very scary. I have experienced sudden power lose and a failure to accelerate.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 F-150
“Power steering suddenly failed while traveling down i-35 in new braunfels tx making it very difficult to control at high speed at near impossible to turn.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 F-150
“Had recall preformed it still is dropping into 1st gear while driving complaint number: 11181584”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 F-150
“I turned on the rear defrost and my passenger side of the rear window shattered. There was a loud noise when it happened. I was driving when this happened. The dealer and other ford personnel have admitted this is a widespread problem - but no recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 F-150
“Sudden shift into first gear at any speed. Dash lights flickering between p,r,n,d. Tool light coming on dash.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 F-150
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 1,961 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 60,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 24,991 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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.
Fix: 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 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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 19V075000.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 Ford F-150 reliable?
The 2012 Ford F-150 drew 2,440 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 54/100, scored against the model's worst year (1997).
What are the most common 2012 Ford F-150 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 Ford F-150 are transmission & drivetrain (678 complaints), engine (499), and steering (204).
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-150 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 Ford F-150 problems around 60,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 24,991 and 100,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Ford F-150 have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2012 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.