repaired · 2020 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,784 owner complaints about the 2012 Ford F-150, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-075 the manufacturer reports only 60% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Ford F-150 has problems
1,784 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
682Power train15 crash/fire/injury
483Engine7 crash/fire/injury
204Steering3 crash/fire/injury
194Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
173Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
124Service brakes
95Visibility/wiper
84Fuel/propulsion system
37Air bags
24417 other systems11 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 682 | 15 |
| Engine | 483 | 7 |
| Steering | 204 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 194 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 173 | 9 |
| Service brakes | 124 | 14 |
| Visibility/wiper | 95 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 84 | 1 |
| Air bags | 37 | 10 |
| 17 other systems | 244 | 11 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2012 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Power train: automatic transmission
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…
no report yet
Exterior lighting: back up lights
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…
no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
90kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 537 power train complaints. 59% were reported before 100,000 miles.
86under 30k miles317under 100k miles220100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
22 owners mentioned a cost$1,900median
Middle half: $700 – $2,850
Steering
18 owners mentioned a cost$1,800median
Middle half: $1,659 – $2,026
Power train
18 owners mentioned a cost$1,217median
Middle half: $931 – $1,975
Electrical system
10 owners mentioned a cost$1,025median
Middle half: $721 – $1,942
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other F-150 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score
01034232510152861911392242753044705866766263242,7581,3811,0441,0761,2368214232,0291,1125854883693248432,1951,7842,9941,5411,7532,0981,4692,3351,3507461,052608420197111140
'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.
- Brake Vacuum Pump FailureNo recall
- Reduced power during hard accelerationNo recall
- Brake Vacuum Pump FailureNo recall
- Unexpected Transmission DownshiftLed to recall 19V-075
In owners' words
What F-150 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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 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…
Own a 2012 F-150?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.