2012 Ford F-150 Problems and Recalls (1,773 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2012 Ford F-150 is Transmission / driveline (31% of 1,773 owner reports). There are 4 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 1,773 complaints · 4 recalls

What problems show up on the 2012 Ford F-150?

549 of 1,773 filings named Transmission / driveline (31% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (285 reports).

There are 4 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lights, Airbags, and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2011 has 2,173 reports on file; this year has 1,773. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2012 Ford F-150

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 4 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Steering. Check for play in the wheel, noises on lock and whether it tracks straight.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 549 complaints · 31.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 40
  • Fires 14
  • Injuries 29
  • Deaths 2
All Ford F-150 years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 549 of 1,773 owner complaints (31.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 549 complaints, 31.0% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 6 crash reports 549 · 31.0% Engine (ENGINE): 285 complaints, 16.1% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 3 crash reports 2 fire reports 285 · 16.1% Steering (STEERING): 183 complaints, 10.3% of reports Steering (STEERING) 3 crash reports 183 · 10.3% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 141 complaints, 8.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 crash reports 141 · 8.0% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 120 complaints, 6.8% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 fire reports 120 · 6.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 114 complaints, 6.4% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 12 crash reports 114 · 6.4% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 85 complaints, 4.8% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 85 · 4.8% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 73 complaints, 4.1% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 fire reports 73 · 4.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 24 complaints, 1.4% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 7 crash reports 24 · 1.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 255 complaints, 14.4% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 5 crash reports 4 fire reports 255 · 14.4% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 549 31.0% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 285 16.1% 3 crashes · 2 fires
Steering (STEERING) 183 10.3% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 141 8.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 120 6.8% 0 crashes · 5 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 114 6.4% 12 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 85 4.8% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 73 4.1% 0 crashes · 5 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 24 1.4% 7 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 255 14.4% 5 crashes · 4 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2012; the first recall shown was reported in May 2012. 2012-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2012-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2013-Q1: 32 owner reports 32 2013-Q2: 106 owner reports 106 2013-Q3: 67 owner reports 67 2013-Q4: 34 owner reports 34 2014-Q1: 32 owner reports 32 2014-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 2014-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2014-Q4: 26 owner reports 26 2015-Q1: 49 owner reports 49 2015-Q2: 27 owner reports 27 2015-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2015-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 2016-Q1: 42 owner reports 42 2016-Q2: 32 owner reports 32 2016-Q3: 49 owner reports 49 2016-Q4: 36 owner reports 36 2017-Q1: 46 owner reports 46 2017-Q2: 40 owner reports 40 2017-Q3: 33 owner reports 33 2017-Q4: 58 owner reports 58 2018-Q1: 66 owner reports 66 2018-Q2: 43 owner reports 43 2018-Q3: 50 owner reports 50 2018-Q4: 38 owner reports 38 2019-Q1: 95 owner reports 95 2019-Q2: 60 owner reports 60 2019-Q3: 41 owner reports 41 2019-Q4: 27 owner reports 27 2020-Q1: 33 owner reports 33 2020-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2020-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2020-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2021-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2021-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2021-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2022-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2022-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2022-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2022-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2023-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2023-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2023-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2023-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2024-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q2: 30 owner reports 30 2024-Q3: 25 owner reports 25 2024-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2025-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2025-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2025-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2025-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2026-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2026-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2026-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 Owner reports Jan 2012 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 12V190000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V190000 Recall campaign 12V198000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V198000 Recall campaign 16V248000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V248000 Recall campaign 19V075000 ◆ Recall campaign 19V075000 Investigation PE13018 ● Investigation PE13018 Investigation PE15026 ● Investigation PE15026 Investigation EA15006 ● Investigation EA15006 Investigation RQ17010 ● Investigation RQ17010
  • Campaign 16V248000 was reported 1,383 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 19V075000 was reported 2,403 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2012-Q1 Owner reports 2
2012-Q2 Owner reports 3
2012-Q3 Owner reports 17
2012-Q4 Owner reports 21
2013-Q1 Owner reports 32
2013-Q2 Owner reports 106
2013-Q3 Owner reports 67
2013-Q4 Owner reports 34
2014-Q1 Owner reports 32
2014-Q2 Owner reports 23
2014-Q3 Owner reports 32
2014-Q4 Owner reports 26
2015-Q1 Owner reports 49
2015-Q2 Owner reports 27
2015-Q3 Owner reports 32
2015-Q4 Owner reports 32
2016-Q1 Owner reports 42
2016-Q2 Owner reports 32
2016-Q3 Owner reports 49
2016-Q4 Owner reports 36
2017-Q1 Owner reports 46
2017-Q2 Owner reports 40
2017-Q3 Owner reports 33
2017-Q4 Owner reports 58
2018-Q1 Owner reports 66
2018-Q2 Owner reports 43
2018-Q3 Owner reports 50
2018-Q4 Owner reports 38
2019-Q1 Owner reports 95
2019-Q2 Owner reports 60
2019-Q3 Owner reports 41
2019-Q4 Owner reports 27
2020-Q1 Owner reports 33
2020-Q2 Owner reports 17
2020-Q3 Owner reports 24
2020-Q4 Owner reports 21
2021-Q1 Owner reports 15
2021-Q2 Owner reports 9
2021-Q3 Owner reports 13
2021-Q4 Owner reports 17
2022-Q1 Owner reports 13
2022-Q2 Owner reports 18
2022-Q3 Owner reports 22
2022-Q4 Owner reports 10
2023-Q1 Owner reports 16
2023-Q2 Owner reports 16
2023-Q3 Owner reports 23
2023-Q4 Owner reports 17
2024-Q1 Owner reports 16
2024-Q2 Owner reports 30
2024-Q3 Owner reports 25
2024-Q4 Owner reports 19
2025-Q1 Owner reports 16
2025-Q2 Owner reports 20
2025-Q3 Owner reports 24
2025-Q4 Owner reports 19
2026-Q1 Owner reports 7
2026-Q2 Owner reports 7
2026-Q3 Owner reports 15
Recall campaign 1 12V190000
Recall campaign 1 12V198000
Recall campaign 1 16V248000
Recall campaign 1 19V075000
Defect investigation 1 PE13018
Defect investigation 1 PE15026
Defect investigation 1 EA15006
Defect investigation 1 RQ17010
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Safety Recalls (4)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Lights, Airbags, and Transmission / driveline.

  1. Recall campaign 12V190000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 12V198000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 16V248000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 19V075000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Safety incident filters
Showing 6 of 1,773 complaints · page 1 of 71
2026-09-30Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11768172
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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. And now I’m having problems with it. I need the safety issue fixed as soon as possible. Thank you. Sincerely, [XXX]. [XXX] United States Air Force , XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-09-30Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11768018
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 it was diagnosed with a failed lead frame and transmission. The contact was informed that the lead frame and transmission needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The contact was uncertain if the recall repair was completed and the dealers did not confirm. The contact was informed that the failure was not associated with the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
2026-09-17Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11765059
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 occurred several times while driving at various speeds. The contact logged into the Ford account and became aware of Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the program had expired and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
2026-09-01Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11761292
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 direct drive home from the dealership, the transmission suffered a total mechanical failure. The vehicle began slipping, chattering, and downshifting violently, rendering it completely undrivable and unsafe on public roads. It required an emergency tow to a repair facility. A formal diagnostic inspection by a certified transmission specialist confirmed that the transmission computer contained absolutely zero diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), establishing that the failure was a direct result of electronic fluid-pressure shock caused by the dealership wiping the adaptive shifting strategy module during the recall software installation. The dealership and Ford Corporate (Case ID: # XXX) have summarily denied liability and refused to remedy the vehicle, claiming it constitutes an out-of-warranty mechanical wear issue. This explanation is invalid as the failure occurred immediately following a federal safety intervention. To restore essential transportation, I was forced to pay an independent automotive facility $5,984.00 out of pocket to replace the ruined transmission assembly. Ford's safety recall update directly caused a severe mechanical failure, creating an immediate highway safety hazard and subsequent heavy financial damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-08-31Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 11761083
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While Driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous Ford formums and websites for my year and model truck.
2026-08-31Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11760964
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While driving the truck suddenly shifted into first year with the automatic transmission. This was the third time that this has happened.

Ford F-150 Years With the Most NHTSA Complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Ford F-150?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 549 of 1,773 reports (31%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Ford F-150?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lights, Airbags, and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2012 Ford F-150?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources