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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 22 of 29)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #160

Jul 292016

F-150

  • 58,000 miles

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

When accelerating from a stop or slow roll, the truck will jerk hard feeling like the it is coming from the driveshaft. There is no common cause for this issue such as going over a bump, etc. Brought truck to the local Ford dealership and was told it was "leaf spring slap" which it is clear under the truck that there is deep grooves on the drive shaft, yoke area. Ford denies this is the issue. This happens 80% of the time that I accelerate either from a stop or slow movement.

- Reserve, LA, USA

problem #159

Mar 092017

F-150

  • 73,341 miles
I was driving down highway on 3/19/17 and the truck starting jerking then the tach and the speedometer started bouncing then it started to shift from 6th to 2nd then to 5th back to 2nd and so on. Pulled over turned it off to see if the computer would reset then drove down the rode and around 50mph it throw itself into park, then it shifted back into gear and started the same thing over. Took to dealer they so called "fixed it" saying it was low voltage problem caused by alternator and bad battery got truck back 3/14/17, but this morning 3/15/17 it messed up see pic was going 30mph notice the speedometer and it downshifted hard once from 6th to 4th. Now they are telling me its something to O with the transmission computer so I spent over $900 for nothing and have to spend another $1200+ for something they not sure what it is..... the main issue is what if I was on the interstate and it went into park.

- Morristown, TN, USA

problem #158

Jan 232017

F-150

  • 75,000 miles
The ses, service engine soon, light came on. I noticed my truck lacking power and taking longer to shift gears when accelerating. It become less of a smooth shift and more jerky. When traveling on the highway at ~70 mph, the engine would not hold 6th gear. It would drop to 5th and 4th gear, until I gave it more gas. It would reach 3500 RPM's at times before shifting which was not normal. I also noticed starting in the fall of 2016 a short loud abnormal noise at cold start. After researching these issues, this led me to tsb 14-0194, code P0016, dealing with the 3.5L ecoboost engine. I took my truck to my local dealer and this was the issue. I have been the only owner of less than 5 years and was at 75,500 miles, out of the 60,000 mile warranty. I just had the repair done, costing me $3600. The repair included parts listed in tsb 14-0194 as well as timing belts, additional gaskets, seals, guides, tensioner, cam, sprocket, gear crankshaft, among others. I question how this known issue of timing chain stretch with the tsb is not a recall. This problem can cause an accident when accelerating on to a freeway. It can also cause an accident by suddenly downshifting while driving. I am glad my truck is fixed, however did not like the price tag. I fear that this known issue will lead to a deathly accident and it is unfortunate that a recall has not been issued yet. I hope this post helps make a change, saving consumers a costly repair and even someones life from a future accident.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #157

Sep 152016

F-150 8-cyl

  • 35,545 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 various speeds, the vehicle decelerated and the rpms increased to 3,000. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer diagnosed that the power control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but they were unable to identify the cause of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,545.

- Narbth, PA, USA

problem #156

Jan 242017

F-150

  • 104,000 miles
Transmission lead frame. I would be traveling down the road and all of a sudden my truck would downshift to first gear and then I would have to cut the truck off to reset it to go again. Sometimes that would remedy the problem but sometimes I would just go a few miles and it would start acting up again.

- Childersburg, AL, USA

problem #155

Sep 122016

F-150

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #154

Dec 222016

F-150 6-cyl

  • 54,200 miles

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

While driving on the highway I experienced severe reduced engine power during a hard acceleration for an attempted pass. Upon completion of a diagnostic, I was told there was a misfire in cylinders 1-3. the technician informed us the circumstances and results were hallmark for a known condition related to moisture accumulation in the charge air cooler (cac) for turbochargers in 3.5L ecoboost engines of my model year. The vehicle had just over 54K miles on it at the time of the incident (typical mileage for the problem to manifest). The vehicle was maintenanced one week after the incident at the dealership I purchased it new from. The dealership cited the cause of the misfire as bad coil packs - 4 of them at the time of arrival. Coil packs typically have a lifespan of 100-150K miles before failure. However, 4 of them went bad (3 simultaneously) in a vehicle with <55K miles on it. Literature posted about others/similar situations read the same - bad coil packs, due to ingestion of water into the turbo. An issue Ford was aware would happen without the deflector plate due to design flaw! no alert to the owners that it was a potential concern, bring the vehicle in for a check - no word at all! if there was a known problem with their turbo design leading to compounding premature failure, why wouldn't they let the owners know" the dealership would have had ample opportunity to inform me of the issue if that was their intention as I visit regularly. The call center rep said they don't have to tell us anything unless there is a recall. So basically they manufacture dangerous/problematic vehicles until NHTSA slaps their hand about it!" I surely hope everyone who has this issue is reporting it to NHTSA but I doubt they know it is an option and Ford is profiting from having additional maintenance performed at their dealerships.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #153

Jan 122017

F-150

  • 95,456 miles
Transmission down shifted to 1st gear and would not shift the gears right. While on I10 interstate!

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #152

Jan 052017

F-150

  • 82,000 miles
Transmission downshifts down to 1st gear locking rear wheels and causing vehicle to go into a skid and loss of control. Vehicle was traveling 70 mph on interstate when this happened and was captured on video as to how the gauges responded.

- Lizella, GA, USA

problem #151

Dec 152016

F-150

  • 62,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway. I was driving approximately 70mph / 6th gear. My truck shifted on it's own ( I could tell by the dashboard gear indicator) into 1st gear. This caused my rear tires to lock up and put my vehicle into a skid.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #150

Dec 062016

F-150

  • miles

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

Vehicle shifts unexpectedly. No particular circumstance can be identified that cause it. It happens on the freeway in traffic, in parking lots, city streets, when the transmission is warm and when it is cold. Causes people and property in truck to be thrown around. Also causes a sudden reduction in speed that could potentially cause a rear end accident. Has been happening for the last 100K miles. Ford has tried to fix it and they can't. their is a recall 16S19 for this same exact issue on the same make, model and year but Ford says my truck is not part of the recall. It's either a paperwork issue at Ford as to what vehicles are effected or an underestimation of how far reaching the issue is.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #149

Dec 092016

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Driving on a highway, accelerated from a traffic light and between 30 and 40mph the vehicle suddenly lost power, could not accelerate, check wrench light came on, and also the airbag warning light. Pulled off the road, restarted and everything ok. Saw dealer 2 days later, they said I have to replace the transmission bulk connector at a cost of $650. Vehicle has approx. 75,000 miles on it.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

problem #148

Oct 012016

F-150

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would unexpectedly downshift to first gear. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the electric coil was replaced, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V248000 (power train). The contact experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Prairieville, LA, USA

problem #147

Dec 052016

F-150

  • 45,000 miles
Transmission shifts from 6th gear to 1st gear and other lower gears with out warning. Late time was today 12-5-16. Traveling at 60 mph; it shifted without warning to 2nd gear and then to 1st gear. Causing vehicle to skid side ways on rain slick road. This is the 6th or seventh time this has happened. No lights are turned on. Almost always I am using cruise control. This is very dangerous. Can easily loose control of vehicle. Vehicle has 45,000 miles and dealer maintained.

- Strawn, TX, USA

problem #146

Nov 092016

F-150

  • 102,000 miles
Vehicle unexpectedly downshifts when at a high speed on the highway. Downshift was so sudden and abrupt, it caused my back wheels to lock and actually skidded to an almost complete stop while passing a another car going 55 on a 65 mph highway. If other cars were around, it would have caused a major accident. Ford has recalled vehicles like mine (recall # 16S19) from Kansas City, where my vehicle was made. But has told me that my vehicle does not show up. I bought this vehicle in Canada. It was export from the same plan having the problem. This sudden downshift can cause a serious accident. Effect is like slamming the brakes at 65 mph. I will be taking in for repairs at my expense. But Ford needs to be more safety conscious with their customers and society in general. This issue is very dangerous.

- Canyon Lake, TX, USA

problem #145

Nov 052016

F-150

  • miles
I took my F150 in for the recall regarding the transmission unexpected downshift. When I got it back, I lost power, mpg. It's harder to push the accelerator down. It went from 21/24 to 15/16on the highway. I've had it back in to our local Ford dealer 3 times. They put it on the computer and found nothing wrong. They know there's a problem, but can't do anything without Ford company instructions. I put over 3,500 miles on my F150 and still get crappy mileage. I want it fixed since it worked fine before I took it in for the recall. I either want it fixed or swap for a new vehicle, or I will see my attorney. I am tired of the stress. I never had any problems until I took it in for the recall. I'm afraid it's going to break down when I'm traveling or it could cause a wreck. I want something done now, not later when it's to late. Our dealer, show walter Ford in vernal Utah caused the problem. Photo showing mpg is from our trip from billings mt to casper wy. Total trip mpg was 16.9 for 1340 miles11/05/2016 we've had two other trips with the same.

- Vernal, UT, USA

problem #144

Oct 242016

F-150

  • 93,100 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving at any speed, the vehicle shifted gears without warning. The vehicle also stopped in the middle of the road and restarted when it was turned off and on. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred several times and was not remedied. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,100.

- Corinth, TX, USA

problem #143

Nov 012016

F-150

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle downshifted into first gear and caused the vehicle to become unstable on the road. The contact stated that the rear wheels seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 71,000.

- Fulton, MO, USA

problem #142

Oct 262016

F-150 8-cyl

  • 172,000 miles
Driving at about 65 miles per hour hwy 134 heading East bound when the speed odometer stopped working and the truck down shifted causing a sudden decrease in speed. I was lucky no one was following close behind or this could have caused an accident. I took the truck to the Ford dealer right away and have the truck at sunshine Ford in North hollywood being repaired. I was told my VIN # is not part of the recall. I checked and this is the same problem the trucks that were recalled have. I expect my truck to be added onto the recall. This is an unsafe defect. I wrote to Ford corporation Friday the 28th day of October, 2016.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #141

Apr 122016

F-150

  • 115,000 miles
When vehicle was in motion, transmission began to shift into reverse on its own. I took it to my Ford dealer and was told repair was not covered by the current recall.

- Atascosa, TX, USA

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