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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,062 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford F-150 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 12 of 29)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #360

Mar 122019

F-150

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I received written notice from Ford that our 2012 year model, Ford, F-150 pickup truck was recalled under Ford recall: 19S07 and NHTSA recall: 19V-075. This is the recall having to do with Ford PCM programming being unable to cope with an intermittent failure of the transmission oss. The PCM would force the vehicle into 1st gear regardless of current operating speed (mph). I was just informed by a local Ford dealership that Ford cannot perform a fix on my vehicle because they only repaired the PCM for the V8 engine and have not yet gotten around to the V6 eco boost engines, even though the recall documents I received instruct me to take the truck in for the recall repair. Further, the recall documents I received have the vehicle info (VIN included) on each of them so one would assume the VIN was crosschecked with Ford's manufacturing data base to determine if the offered fix actually fit the vehicle. I am told that our vehicle does need the fix but it will not be out until some time later this summer.

- Tyrone, GA, USA

problem #359

Feb 012019

F-150

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds, the vehicle downshifted into first gear independently. The failure occurred intermittently. The contact had to pull the vehicle over to regain control. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V075000 (power train). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Ford of londonderry (33 nashua rd, londonderry, nh 03053, (603) 434-4141) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #358

Jan 032019

F-150

  • 95,000 miles
I experienced a sudden shift into 1st gear and a blue wrench come on the dashboard while going 65 down the highway. This of course was not safe and I was able to control vehicle and stop it. Shut the vehicle off and turned it back on and able to finish my drive. After this happened 2 more times, I contacted dealership to see if there were any known issues. Looking at my VIN they said there was not. So I took to my mechanic and they repalced the oss and lead wires to the transmission.

- Grand Island, NE, USA

problem #357

Mar 012019

F-150

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V075000 (power train). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Coggin Ford jacksonville (9650 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32225, (904) 567-3782) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #356

Jul 012018

F-150

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While the engine was running, the contact exited the vehicle to run an errand. The vehicle suddenly switched into reverse and crashed into a building. The manufacturer initially promised to pay for the repairs and referred the contact to a Ford dealer to get an estimate. Tri-county Ford (4032 commerce pkwy, buckner, ky 40010, (866) 417-0262) was contacted and knew nothing about the arrangement. When the contact called the manufacturer back, they reneged on the offer to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V075000 (power train). The vehicle was still driveable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #355

Mar 052019

F-150

  • 129,972 miles
Had recall preformed it still is dropping into 1st gear while driving complaint number: 11181584

- Bemidji, MN, USA

problem #354

Jun 012017

F-150

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. When the contact slowed the vehicle down to drive over drainage dips in the road, the transmission independently shifted into first gear when the accelerator pedal was depressed. This event caused a jarring jolting effect while driving. Western slope auto (2264 us-50, grand junction, co 81505, (970) 243-0843) stated that there was no recall on the vehicle and could not assist. The manufacturer echoed the dealer and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Grand Juction, CO, USA

problem #353

Mar 072019

F-150

  • miles
I recieved a safety recall notice 19S07/NHTSA recall 19V-075 concerning a recall to reprogram the powertrain control module to prevent unintended downshifit to correct intermittent ailures of the output speed sensor that may result in an unintended downshift to first gear. The proposed correction is inadequate, since it does not address the root cause of the problem, that is, intermittent failure of the output speed sensor. I request that the NHTSA require Ford Motor Company to correct the root cause of the problem, that is, the defect existing in the output speed sensor that may cause unintended downshifts, since failing to correct the root cause of the issue and merely installing a software patch will not result in proper operation of the vehicle, potentially impairing fuel economy and/or proper function and safety during specific driving conditions.

- Zelienople, PA, USA

problem #352

Mar 012018

F-150

  • 88,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and lunged forward. Also, the instrument panel lighting flickered and went completely dark. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. Beaman Ford (1717 tn-46, dickson, tn 37055, (615) 446-2308) repaired the main cluster, but the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,800.

- Bon Aqua, TN, USA

problem #351

Feb 272019

F-150

  • 150,000 miles
2012 Ford king ranch 3.5 ecoboost F150 suddenly down shifts during acceleration. It is labored when accelerating, it gets to the 6th gear then suddenly down shifts.this happens when trying to merge on to the highway and also when coming from a complete stop after sitting at a light, then trying to accelerate. It has happened on the highway at 70mph trying to accelerate to 75 mph too. It seems like it loses power.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #350

Feb 072019

F-150

  • 55,712 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on busy expressway in rush hour traffic, my truck suddenly shifted into neutral and I lost all information on dash (speedometer, miles until empty, etc). Luckily I was able to pull over and no one was hurt. Had to have vehicle towed. I was told that my trasmission has code P0722, apparently a common issue with the molded lead frame. I was also told that my VIN was not covered under a recall and that I would have to pay out of pocket. Very disappointed with Ford's quality of product and customer service for a known issue. This truck has less than 56,000 miles on it and I am still making monthly payments.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #349

Feb 132019

F-150

  • 12,000 miles
The same day the recall 19S07 was released my vehicle did downshift before I was able to get it in to update the software. I was going about 45 mph when the downshift occurred. On 02/15/19 I was able to get the software update. Recall was taken care of. The next day 02/16/19 I was driving then the wrench light came on and the vehicle will not shift. Took it back to the dealership and got it diagnosed. Truck ran just fine before the truck downshifted. Come to find out the lead frame was damaged due to the downshift. Did my research and back in 2016 Ford issued a recall 16N02, which covers a one time replacement of the lead frame with the same make and models of this vehicle. The issue is still here and I beleive they should replace the lead frame as well due to the recall 19S07 created more problems.

- Box Elder, SD, USA

problem #348

Feb 132018

F-150 6-cyl

  • 129,986 miles
While traveling at 48 mph on 2 lane county rd I was in 4 wheel high when truck slammed into 1st gear causing truck to loose traction and ended up going into ditch. The truck never stalled out all gauges stopped working and tech light came on. I proceeded to be pulled from ditch. Then turned truck off.checked truck over it has body damage nothing visible under truck so I started it gauges where working tech light was off radio stopped working but could be loose connection I proceeded to limp it home at about 20 mph was shifting hard at higher RPM I had it towed to body shop while at hospital.recall came on news I went to dealership they said bring it in they'll reprogram it. I'm wondering about damages caused by defect who will be paying for that? this defect is a danger and I can't believe it took Ford 7 years from first report on here to address issue. And they claim only 5 cases of a crash which I have found 7 people who have had accidents because of it 4 of them where single vehicle 3 involved being rear ended because the sudden stop very disappointed in Ford.

- Bemidji, MN, USA

problem #347

Feb 202019

F-150

  • 65,000 miles
On the evening of 2/14/19 while returning home from the car wash, my 2012 Ford F-150 suddenly downshifted into 1st gear from 6th gear while the vehicle was in motion. There was no loss of control as the road was dry and my speed was 40 mph. The next morning I called the service department at jack demmer Ford in wayne mi to speak with my service rep. He did not pick up and did not return my call despite my leaving a detailed message and calling again later in the day. On the morning of 2/19/19 while on the freeway at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle went into what I assume is "limp mode". it dropped from 6th to 5th gear and a wrench logo appeared in the message screen. There was no description of the problem, just a logo. When I got off the freeway, I realized that I no longer had 1st, 2nd, or 6th gear. I arrived at work and called the dealer immediately. They gave me a runaround about how an official fix was not available yet and asked me if I had tried turning the car off and back on again. After insisting repeatedly that something be done, I was told I could bring the truck in the have the power train module "reprogrammed". this was done at no cost but I was told this was all they could do for me at this time. The next day in the evening, the truck downshifted to second gear while I was on the freeway doing 55 miles an hour. The road was wet and starting to freeze. I nearly lost control of the vehicle but was able to regain control. The truck returned to normal after this. As of 2/20/19, no further contact has been made with Ford regarding the issue. I will be calling tomorrow to customer care about this issue and demanding a rental car until the vehicle is safe to drive. It is my understanding that this is related to recall 19S07. The transmission output speed sensor is reported to be losing communication with the powertrain control module, causing a downshift.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #346

Nov 092018

F-150

  • 120,000 miles
While on highway, vehicle downshifted into first gear, caused rear tires to lock up and took me off the road. Then when into limp mode. Happened to me multiple times. At the time 11/18 my truck wasnt recalled. They finally recalled it last week and arent paying for the repairs and diag I had to do in November.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #345

Jan 122019

F-150

  • 131,000 miles
Intermittent issues with driving downshifts and hard upshifts. Sometimes the F150 shifts from 1st to third under light acceleration and will not shift out of 3rd gear. Wrench light error comes on, air bag light comes on and the speedometer goes to zero and mileage counter all show dashes. Pulling over and shutting off the truck works to clear the wrench icon and regain speed and mileage reading but the shifting issues may or may not comr back immediately. Downshift to 5th while in motion and had it downshift from 6th hear to 1st on the freeway at about 70 mph which was scary. With this issue it scares me to drive due to the airbag light coming on at the time it downshifted to 1sr gear. If I would have gotten into an accident, would I have had no airbag deployments for me and my kids?

- Scotts, MI, USA

problem #344

Oct 222018

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
Was driving on highway at 65 mph, when the trannie dropped into lower gear and locked up the rear end. The truck fishtailed for a few moments until I was able to gain control and pull to side of road. I was told by the dealership later that the leadframe harness needed to be replaced. However a safety reort came ut stating a sensor was to blame.

- Cabot, AR, USA

problem #343

Oct 052018

F-150

  • 143,425 miles
When driving, the truck would shift down to 1st gear without any warning, about putting us through the windshield. Very scary. We did take it in and they replaced a sensor. Expensive! I think this should be a recall.

- Calmar, IA, USA

problem #342

Jan 212019

F-150

  • 94,500 miles
I was driving on the expressway during the day when pavement was dry. Sun was shining but outdoor temps were about 30 degrees. While going 70 mph, the automatic transmission suddenly dropped into 1st gear. The truck jerked for a second then seemed to go into neutral. I had no power to the wheels so I coasted off the freeway to a safe location. My transmission seemed to have completely failed. I proceeded to call for a tow to my usual service station.

- Nashotah, WI, USA

problem #341

Dec 032018

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
This is an update to previous report: 11129849. Following the initial sudden downshift to 1st gear the truck was evaluated by the local Ford dealership. No problems were found, however over the next 2 months the truck began to experience frequent shifting errors. The dash gauges would quit or blank out and the truck would become stuck in a single gear, most often 3rd gear. The frequency continued to increase until the vehicle was taken back to the Ford dealership, obd-II codes were P0720, P0722. A previous Ford bulletin described the exact symptoms in detail however Ford reported my particular vehicle was not involved in the repair bulletin. After discussion with my local technician we elected to proceed with the repair bulletin even though I would have to pay out of pocket. This bulletin required replacement of the transmission lead frame. This has completely resolved the issue.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

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