2012 Ford F-150 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (568) · Engine (238) · Steering (190)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-150 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,471 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-02-11 · campaign 19V075000 · 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.
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's number for this recall is 19S07.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2016-04-27 · campaign 16V248000 · 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.
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 service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
Exterior Lighting:back Up Lights 2012-05-03 · campaign 12V190000 · 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 VEHICLES 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 CON
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 RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module-Inactive 2012-05-03 · campaign 12V198000 · 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 SEATS OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES
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.
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 1-866-436-7332.
Service bulletins (117)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-29 · 25H05 S1 · Other
harvest program 25h05 – supplement #1 certain 2011-2021 model year vehicles software verification harvest program
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-19 · 25H05 · Other
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 more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Wheels 2024-07-24 · TSB 24-2188 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel a
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Showing the 6 most recent of 117 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Power Train · 100,200 mi“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 that the failure with the powertr…”
2026-09-30 · Power Train · 175,000 mi“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 was taken to the dealer where i…”
2026-09-30 · Power Train“i have a 2012 f150 that has a safety, hazard with the transmission. it’s a 6 r80 transmission and the lead frame assembly is suddenly downshifting. from six gear to second year i have contacted the ford motor company. they say they cannot do anything. that the safety issue is expired, but i bought the truck used and was unaware of the safety issue.…”
2026-09-17 · Power Train · 150,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. the contact stated that the transmission seized while driving 15 mph and making a left turn onto the highway in oncoming traffic, and the vehicle suddenly stopped. the wrench symbol was displayed. the instrument panel was blank. the contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. the failure had oc…”
2026-09-01 · Power Train“on xxx, i brought my 2012 ford f-150 (vin: [xxx]) to an authorized dealership (ed morse ford geneseo) to complete mandatory safety recall 19s07 (molded lead frame software update). the vehicle was fully operational, shifting safely, and completely functional upon arrival. immediately upon completion of the safety recall software flash, during the d…”
2026-08-31 · Vehicle Speed Control“while driving the truck suddenly shifted into first year with the automatic transmission. this was the third time that this has happened. …”
2026-08-31 · Steering“while driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous ford formums and websites for my year and model truck. …”
2026-08-20 · Power Train · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, almost causing the wheels to lock up. the power train warning light illuminated, and the instrument cluster became inoperable; however, the tachometer was operational. upon investigation, the contact …”
2026-08-06 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. the contact stated that while driving approximately 60-70 mph, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. the transmission warning light was intermittently illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an o'reilly auto parts store and dtc: p0717 (input/turbine shaft speed sensor a) and c2775 (electronic s…”
2026-07-29 · Power Train“at approximately 146,451 miles, the transmission molded leadframe on my 2012 ford f-150 failed while i was driving approximately 60 mph on a highway. without warning, the transmission harshly downshifted, the truck lost power, the speedometer stopped working, the wrench warning light came on, the seat belt warning light illuminated, and the transmi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.