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Model year record

2012 Ford F-150 recalls & problems

The 2012 Ford F-150 has 4 safety recalls and 1,784 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (684 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints1,784filed by owners
Crashes · fires40 · 14reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2012 Ford F-150 in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Power trainFeb 11, 2019

Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Recall 19V0750001,263,051 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.

Components: Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power train › Automatic transmission

Power trainApr 27, 2016

Automatic transmission

Recall 16V248000153,581 vehicles

Problem
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 lightingMay 3, 2012

Back up lights

Recall 12V19000010,500 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Components: Exterior lighting › Back up lights; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Air bagsMay 3, 2012

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 12V198000101 vehicles

Problem
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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk22.8%

2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.8%

2012 Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x4

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk22.8%

2012 Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x2

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.8%

2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk22.8%

2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x2

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk19.8%
2012 Ford F-150 NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2012 Ford F-150 NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

F150 Pickup 2WD FFV FFV

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 2WD FFV FFV

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 23 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 2WD

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 4WD FFV FFV

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 4WD FFV FFV

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 2WD FFV FFV

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 2WD FFV FFV

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 4WD FFV FFV

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

F150 Pickup 4WD FFV FFV

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Driveshaft6841211090,000 mi
Engine48343024,000 mi
SteeringElectric power assist system; Steering wheel /handle bar › Yaw/angle sensor20530172,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal19540230,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer; Instrument cluster/panel17318166,500 mi
Service brakes124140357,000 mi
Unknown or other11931572,600 mi
Visibility/wiper9503060,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8401035,117 mi
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module38100949,500 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Rear window; Glass, side/rear3703250,324 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump3610021,300 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations