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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 19 of 29)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #220

Jan 092018

F-150

  • 36,500 miles

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

While driving at approximately 50 mph truck shifted into low gear, speedometer and odometer went to zero, and check engine light came on. After finding a safe area to stop the vehicle, I turned it off, restarted it, and issue appeared to be resolved. Appears to match scenario described in recall 16V-248 (Ford # 16S19). Ford customer service refuses to acknowledge this VIN is affected by the subject recall.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #219

Dec 202017

F-150

  • 100,000 miles
When in drive (D) automatic transmission locks in 1st (1) gear when accelerating from standing start. Stop vehicle and place transmission in park (P). Place transmission in drive (D) and accelerate from standing start. Transmission operates normally. Random event. Frequency is four (4) time over approximately the last six (6) months.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #218

Nov 202013

F-150

  • 12,000 miles
While in motion at lower speeds the transmission downshifts violently into first gear. It feels like someone has hit me from behind, hard. It happens most often while I am turning. It has happened many many times throughout the life of my truck.

- Bellevue, IA, USA

problem #217

Sep 122015

F-150

  • 74,000 miles

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

While driving on the freeway in the morning going somewhere between 50-60 mph, vehicle automatically down shifted to first gear resulting in the wheels locking up. Was able to maintain control of the vehicle until it slowed down to first gear. Transmission was damaged. Ford would not fix the problem. Had to have aamco rebuild the transmission for $5,460.07. Occurred in Sept of 2015 with 74,000 mileage.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

problem #216

Jan 032018

F-150

  • 555,500 miles
Unexpected transmission downshift to first gear from 6th gear. On most recent occasion my F150 downshifted to 1st gear while I was going at 60 mph. Caused rear wheels to skid/slide. This happened today Jan 03 2018. Location palo pinto county Texas us highway 180. This is the 4th or 5th time in the last few months this has happened. I know Ford has had a prior recall about this. My truck was not listed on prior recall. 16V248000.

- Strawn, TX, USA

problem #215

Apr 012017

F-150

  • 108,676 miles
Transmission downshifted into first gear while I was driving approximately 60 mph, causing rear wheels to lock up. Truck started to spin around before stopping abruptly in the roadway. Ford diagnosed as bad part in transmission that was recalled in some vehicles, but not mine. Wtf?

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #214

Nov 202017

F-150

  • 84,950 miles

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

Driving on freeway transmission locked up or shift to first almost got hit twice they fixed it but my engines rpms go high when turning in to a street and Ford dealership won't fix

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #213

Jul 142017

F-150

  • 35 miles
In motion, transmission slams into lower gear while slowing down.

- Heartland, TX, USA

problem #212

Dec 212017

F-150

  • 128,800 miles
I have had multiple times where my truck transmission randomly and unexpectedly either drops out of gear or downshifts while moving. The speedometer also drops to zero while I am still moving. At least once this has happened after I pulled onto a street with plenty of time, but because I lost power, it nearly caused an accident. All incidents have been on city streets so far at low speeds. I have researched and found that Ford has a recall out for this exact issue (16S19) with build date parameters of February 11, 2011 to September 8, 2012 at the dearborn plant. My truck was built in August of 2012, within the parameters, at the dearborn plant, however, I am being told I am not included in this recall, even though I am having the exact issue it should be fixing. How my truck is not included is beyond me. I have attached a screenshot of the document I found online for the recall.

- Rittman, OH, USA

problem #211

Dec 192017

F-150

  • 115,771 miles
My vehicle was towed to the dealership for issues outlined in customer satisfaction program 16N02. My vehicle shifted down to first gear while traveling ~45mph on an off ramp from the interstate causing the tires to lock up and send the rear of the vehicle sliding and then would not shift correctly. My VIN did not indicate that my vehicle was covered under recall 16S19 & csp 16N02. Even though I had the exact same symptoms detailed in the recall, I was told by Ford customer service that my vehicle was not eligible for coverage. I strongly believe that my VIN was not properly identified as one of the affected VIN's in this recall. Had my vehicle been properly identified, my safety would not have been in jeopardy.

- Fairhope, AL, USA

problem #210

Aug 262017

F-150

  • 160,000 miles

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

The truck will abruptly downshift into first gear causing the rear wheels to slide while driving at highway speed. This is a very dangerous thing, NHTSA campaign number 16V248000. We did take it into the dealer to have the power train control module reprogrammed to address the issue (Ford recall 16S19). This did not resolve the problem but the dealer advised that they were not authorized to do anything further to address the problem. We were also told by the dealer, and research had indicated, that the truck needs to have the molded lead frame replaced. We were advised by the dealer that this part is in short supply, because of heavy demand, and the waiting list is over 3 months to get one. Ford motors did agree to replace the lead frame if you came in before December 31st 2016 or, had 150,000 miles or less, or less than ten years from warranty date (Ford 16N02). I did call Ford Motor Company and they said they had met their obligation and would do nothing more to address this serious safety issue. This issue did not occur with our vehicle until after Ford recall repair conditions (above) had expired (16N02 molded leadframe extended coverage ). this is a serious safety issue that should be addressed without an expiration date, miles, or time limit. The fact that Ford has acknowledged that this is a problem and a safety concern, they should stand behind their customers and fix it. The date being ask for below is to the best of my memory.

- Morganton, NC, USA

problem #209

Dec 202016

F-150

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 55 mph, the gear shifter inadvertently shifted from high to first gears. As a result, the rear driver and passenger side wheels locked. The contact then stated that the speedometer dropped without warning and the vehicle downshifted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to cloninger Ford of morgantown (1001 jamestown rd, morganton, nc 28655, (828) 584-4600) where it was diagnosed that the power train control module needed reprogramming. Also, the molded leaf frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Morganton, NC, USA

problem #208

Dec 192017

F-150

  • 115,771 miles
As the vehicle was traveling around 45 mph, the speedometer and tachometer dropped to 0. once they came back online, the vehicle shifted into 1st gear causing the tires to lock up and the back end of my truck began to skid. After coming to complete stop, I shut the vehicle off and then started it back up again. The vehicle would then randomly shift and I did not feel comfortable driving it any farther. I had it towed to a local dealership where they informed me that the molded leadframe needed to be replaced and the PCM was to be reset.

- Fairhope, AL, USA

problem #207

Dec 122017

F-150

  • 79,000 miles
My vehicle is experiencing all of the issues as stated in safety recall 16S19 (unintended downshift resulting in locking up of rear tires as well as intermittent limp mode and tachometer spikes and drops while driving on a city street). I took it to a Ford dealer and they indicated that my vehicle was outside of the 'build date' by a total of 9 days and they refused to address the issue per the safety recall.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #206

Dec 132017

F-150

  • 7 miles
Stopped at traffic light, and once it turned green and presses accelerator it would just rev up, not moving; after about 5 seconds, it jerked a few times and started to move, but still jerky, and the speedometer showing 0, not moving; I kept going about 30 yards and it came back to normal.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #205

Dec 122017

F-150

  • 3 miles
Vehicle stalled, if accelerator was depressed it would just rev up as if in neutral, speedometer went to 0 and would not move; had to park on side of road and turn off/on vehicle.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #204

Dec 102017

F-150

  • 60,000 miles
Truck lost power while starting from a stop light; engine hesitated and regained/lost power about 3 times before getting back to normal. This was inside the city on a street, not the highway.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #203

Dec 032017

F-150 6-cyl

  • 64,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and the power train warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to pull over, turn off and restart the vehicle, and drive home with no issues. The vehicle was taken to sheehy Ford Lincoln of richmond (10601 midlothian turnpike, richmond, va 23235, (804) 794-0500) where diagnostic testing error "P0722" was displayed. The contact stated that connectors needed to be replaced with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 64,700. Consumer stated issue occured again on Dec.5th, truck repaired Dec.9th, 2017. Updated 8/27/18

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #202

Dec 052017

F-150

  • 132,000 miles
On 12/5/17, I was getting on to I-10 to head West to lake charles. On the ramp, my truck would not get out of first gear so I had to stop on the side of the interstate, turn, my truck off and back on. It started working until I was on the interstate going 70 mph, then my RPM's went up, and my speedometer went to zero. The cruise control would not work as well, and check engine light came on. I had to coast on the interstate hoping the transmission would not go into 1st gear again. I contacted two different Ford dealerships, as well as Ford Motor Company, but they stated there is no recall on my truck. My truck was made at the Kansas City plant and was created January 2102 which fits the place and date of the recall. This happened several times, and Ford is not helping at all. It will cost over $500 to fix a defect that should have been fixed by Ford. It is a 2012 F-150 truck.

- Scott, LA, USA

problem #201

Nov 252017

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
2012 F150 5.0 80,000mi. Occasionally when pulling out from a stop, transmission immediately shifts and locks into 5th gear. 6 times on the highway (traveling 55-70mph), my speedometer/odometer stopped working and truck shifted to 1st gear, locking rear tires and engine would reach max RPM. Would illuminate engine light, airbag light, wrench light. Ford will not recognize this with an identical recall due to build date. ECM stored code P0722 (speed sensor signal loss)

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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