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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,071 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 16 of 31)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #310

Oct 232018

F-150

  • 104,000 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 stated that there was a sudden down shift in the transmission while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle was turned off and restarted. The contact mentioned that more recently, while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle inadvertently shifted and was stuck in first gear. The vehicle was towed to J.C. lewis Ford Lincoln of statesboro (12130 us-301, statesboro, ga 30458, 12130 us-301, (912) 341-6767) for diagnosis and repairs. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: RQ17010 (power train); however was experiencing the failure related to the investigation for this year, make and model. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

- Guyton, GA, USA

problem #309

Oct 252018

F-150

  • 101,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle shifted into first gear without warning. As a result, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured, but the driver and passenger of the other vehicle sustained neck and foot injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed by the police department to an unknown location. A police report was filed for the other vehicle. The dealer (autonation Ford corpus christi, 6250 S padre island dr, corpus christi, tx 78412, (361) 444-0125) was contacted to schedule a diagnostic test and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls related to the failure. The failure mileage was 101,700.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #308

Aug 012015

F-150

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would exhibit hard and sporadic gear shifting. While driving approximately 50 mph, the transmission independently shifted from sixth to second gear, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (dogget Ford, 9225 North freeway, houston, tx) where it was diagnosed that the transmission valve body was faulty. The transmission control module was reprogrammed per NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train), but the failures continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Anahuac, TX, USA

problem #307

Oct 092017

F-150

  • 64,000 miles

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

While traveling at seventy miles an hour the truck downshifts to second gear. Truck went sideways on the highway. Grandchild hit her head on window. I reported it to Ford and they said that my truck was not a recall vehicle. I have been treated so bad. It has done it many times. Latest incident was yesterday. Oct ninth 2018. I have been trying to get Ford to at least give me a price on the repair cost and all I get is the run around

- Brooklyn, MS, USA

problem #306

Oct 072018

F-150

  • 169,000 miles
This Ford F-150 is equiped with a V-6 3.5 liter twin turbo engine and automatic transmission. It is 2 wheel drive. Te problem is that when you are driving along at speed the transmission will suddenly shift into either 1st gear of 5th gear. Predominantly 1st gear. The speed can vary from 35 to 55 mph. There is no warning. There are no codes. On one occasion the dash displayed a single large wrench across the display and the speedometer did not work at all. The only way to reset is to stop the vehicle and turn it off and wait then restart and proceed. On several occasions it happened a few tmes on one trip, about 1 hour trip time. On other occasions it has not happened at all. I have not kept a record of each occurance but I believe the total is aproimately 12-18 times. In all instanes the vehicle was in motion and on city streets or interstate highways. The roads have not been curvy but rather more straigh. To date there have been no injuries. This problem ha been occuring for about 4 weeks.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #305

Sep 092018

F-150 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
Two times in last year vehicle shifted from 5 th gear to first gear, 40+ mph to first gear causing tires to chirp and high engine rev and thrown into seatbelts. Hundreds of times vehicle shifted from 1st gear to 5th gear. Nearly caused 2 different accidents because I didn't have power to go when leaving a parking lot to enter a busy road. I researched problem and found Ford had issued a recall in 2016 for lead frame problems. My truck was not in this recall yet I have the same problem. Ford customer service did nothing and told me to go to NHTSA. Ifrom a standing tsb broadway Ford in Idaho falls Idaho replaced the lead frame for$908. I have yet to have the problems reoccur. The recall should be expanded, the lead frame is a defective item and will cause loss of property and or life. Please contact me for info on the old lead frame. [xxx]. the 1st gear to 5th fear problem was happening almost daily and there was never a reason of when it may happen. The problem scared my wife so bad she would not drive the truck. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #304

Oct 012018

F-150

  • 93,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle downshifted to second gear and then went into neutral. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Crandall, GA, USA

problem #303

Sep 252018

F-150

  • 130,000 miles
After accelerating to 70mph on highway on ramp, then partially releasing accelerator to match other highway vehicle speeds. The speedometer began to oscillate quickly between 10 - 60 mph, although vehicle was not changing speed. Transmission suddenly dropped into 1st gear causing rear end to lockup and slide, engine over rev and loss of control. Vehicle currently at dealership, no codes have been detected. Symptoms seem to be the same as NHTSA campaign# 16V248000 for 2011-2012 F150 with 6R80 transmission for which I have, however my VIN is not included as an affected vehicle.

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

problem #302

Sep 232018

F-150

  • 99,800 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle dropped down to first gear on its own. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. When the vehicle was restarted, it was stuck in third gear. The vehicle was driven to the dealer (woody sander Ford, 235 w mitchell avenue, cincinnati, oh 45232) where it was diagnosed that a sensor inside the transmission failed and needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 99,800. The VIN was unknown.

- Lawrenceburg, IN, USA

problem #301

Jul 042018

F-150

  • 90,000 miles
My 2012 Ford F-150 is having serious safety issues that are addressed in for tsb's and safety recalls. Upon contacting Ford Motor Company, I was informed that my vehicle did not have the specific VIN number that matched with their cases. My vehicle fits the recall descriptions with make, model, year, and even manufacturing location and has the exact issues that these recalls are about. The first recall is Ford recall 16S19 : unexpected transmission downshift this will cause my vehicle to randomly downshift multiple gears. When it shifts down it also causes the rear tires are lock up and I have lost control momentarily trying to drive at highway speeds. This also causes wear and tear on the drivetrain. Shifting the motor from 5th gear to 1st immediately sends the motor into a dangerous RPM range causing damage. The second recall is Ford tsb 13-6-8: this causes me to lose all indication on my gauges except for RPM' S. I lose indication on my current speed randomly and also on all of my critical engine temperatures and pressures. This also locks the transmission into 5th gear, making it difficult to slow down properly and accelerate from a stop or slow speed. These two issues combine makes the vehicle a danger to drive. I do not feel safe anymore taking this vehicle anywhere and cannot trust it. I have contacted Ford Motor Company both locally and at its headquarters. Their reply is that they have to fix it. I was told to contact the NHTSA for further help from a friend who encountered similar issues with Ford Motor Company. Thank you for your help.

- Soldotna, AK, USA

problem #300

Nov 172017

F-150

  • 40,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning. Also, on one occasion, the vehicle became stuck in fifth gear and did not move. The contact shifted the gear in park, turned off, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to broadway Ford Inc (208-525-8500, located at 980 w broadway St, Idaho falls, id 83402) where it was kept for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #299

Sep 172018

F-150

  • 82,000 miles
Traveling at steady speed (no cruise control) on a four lane highway, approximately 60-65 mph, when the transmission suddenly shifted into low gear, likely 1st. The engine RPM increased to 5-6000. The sudden down shift caused the rear tires to loose traction resulting in a fish tail loss of control until I was able to reduce speed. I was very fortunate to not have anybody beside me and the car behind me had left generous space otherwise it would have been an accident. No warning lights came on during or after the event. After briefly pulling to the shoulder I was able to resume without any problems. I did not turn the truck off or restart the engine. The remainder of the trip was uneventful. I have not had any other major events with the truck. The day prior to the event I did have an episode where the air conditioning system was blowing at high speeds and then briefly turned off and then resumed blowing at high speeds as if the control system had reset. That may not be related but is the only other computer related event I have noticed. I will be taking the truck to the dealer today to have it evaluated.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #298

Aug 152018

F-150

  • 91,000 miles
Bought 2012 F150 w/ ecoboost new. At 91K miles, experienced loss of power when accelerating while merging into heavy traffic flow. As a result of no power, we were almost T-boned into the passenger side which would have severly injured or killed my wife. Come to discover there is a chronic timing chain design defect and caused catastrophic engine failure at 91K miles. The engine was maintained religeously and oil changes were with nothing but high quality amsoil. Ford knows about the timing chain problem with the 2012 3.5 ecoboost motor. Ford mechanic stated the failure was most likely delayed due to using amsoil, the failures typically occur earlier than 91K miles. Ford will not do anything about it. Ford dealer is putting a new Ford motor in it entirely at my expense. Also the vehicle had a recall for a brake problem involving the electronic brake vacuum system. Ford completed the recall but must have replaced the faulty parts with the same new faulty parts because it is happening again. Ford again will not stand behind their product and fix or cover the costs of the design defect problem. Ford even addresses this problem with their customer satisfaction program 15N05. Niether the Ford dealer completing the repairs or the Ford dealer where I purchased the truck new are able to do anything about the problems because Ford Motor Company will not allow them. Ford is at fault and both are safety issues that they refuse to fix. These defects are unsafe and unacceptable. So much for Ford customer satisfaction. I will never buy another Ford product again!

- Boyne City, MI, USA

problem #297

Aug 062018

F-150

  • 90,000 miles
2012 F150 down shifted into first gear going 55 on the freeway towing a trailer. There was a recall for 2011 & 2012 F150. Ford says mine doesn't" according to a report I have my truck was manufactured in the months of the recall" safety issue!!!!! scary Ford needs to recall all 2011 & 2012 not pick & choose some trucks I payed $1,100 to fix lots of complaints on the internet for this problem!!!! I would like to get reimbursed

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #296

Aug 292018

F-150

  • 81,000 miles
While driving approx. 60mph with a school bus behind me; my automatic transmission erratically downshifted to 1st gear and my tires began to squeal and reducing speed dramatically in traffic. Ford F150 has a safety recall (16S19) that describes the issue but my vehicle is not included although it falls in the build dates and factory.

- Marshall, TX, USA

problem #295

Aug 172018

F-150

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various high speeds, the transmission failed to operate. On one occasion, while driving 75 mph, the vehicle downshifted and the rear wheels seized. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and turned off the vehicle in an attempt to correct the failure. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road to move out of traffic safely. The contact stated that the failure occured while exiting the interstate. The contact placed the vehicle in park, restarted the vehicle, and exited the interstate. Upon leaving the shopping center, the contact placed the vehicle in the drive position, and the transmission failure recurred. The contact stated that the power train shifted upwards to fifth gear immediately after shifting to the drive position even though the accelerator pedal was not depressed. The vehicle was towed to a nearby garage. Glockner South point Ford (155 co road 406, South point, Ohio 45680, (740) 894-3673) and river city Ford (4676 wv-152, lavalettle, West Virginia 25535, (800) 240-1943) were made aware of the failures. River city Ford scheduled an appointment for service and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to Ford's recall website. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Proctorville,, OH, USA

problem #294

Aug 092018

F-150

  • 157,000 miles
Driving down the road when the truck lurches forward, rear tires make a squealing sound from skidding. It was hard to keep truck in center lane of interstate and immediately had to make my way to the emergency lane. Once I turned the truck off and sat for a few minutes it acted like nothing ever happened. I have read the reports of the intercooler being messed up and several years ago I had to replace that part due to oil and water entering it but Ford says it wasn't under warranty due to a part not being covered. I have had coils replaced, spark plugs replaced, and now I'm having to go thru the whole process again. Its dangerous and frustrating. I've had it happen a couple more times but not to that extent. The gauges will peg all the way to the right then go to zero and airbag light will come on. Truck resets to normal when turned off and back on again. I have had this problem happen most of the summer. But this incident happened a few weeks ago. Repair shop can't replicate it and the computer diagnostic test doesn't find it either.

- Englewood, TN, USA

problem #293

Aug 072018

F-150

  • 91,000 miles
Recall on 2011-2012 F150 lead fram harness failure my truck falls into the required date but Ford says my VIN # isn't in there data base under the recall

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #292

Jun 192018

F-150

  • 82,000 miles
The Ford F150 ecoboost would have the tachometer and other instruments go dead, and the dash would display a "wrench" symbol. A times the truck would downshift on its own to first gear. The truck downshifted from 6th to 1st gear when I was traveling over 60 mph, endangering my safety and that of other drivers.

- Canton, CT, USA

problem #291

Aug 172018

F-150

  • 60,000 miles
While traveling at a speed at which the automatic transmission was in 6th gear, the speedometer instantly goes from traveling speed to zero. This occurred several times in quick succession, each occurrence was accompanied by a downshift to first gear. Each initial occurance had a duration of negligible time, seeming to span a fraction of a second. The physical response was a sharp jerk or lurch that planted me into my seat restraint. About half a minute later, it occurred a second time but the duration was several seconds. The rear wheels slowed to the point where the real wheels lost traction and the vehicle left the traveling lane. This occurred in traffic and the only reason there was not an accident was because of the awareness and fast response of those around me. The vehicle was traveling on a city street at 45 miles per hour in a straight direction.

- Margate, FL, USA

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