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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 5 of 29)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #500

Oct 082022

F-150

  • miles

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

Sudden down shift while driving

- Sanford , NC, USA

problem #499

Sep 152022

F-150

  • miles
I was running 65mph and my truck down shifted from 6th to 3rd. I called my dealer and they said they never heard of this problem so I called two more and can-??t get any answers. Glad no one was behind me.

- Columbus, KS, USA

problem #498

Sep 122022

F-150

  • 165,982 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted and jerked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised him to take the vehicle to a transmission specialist. The vehicle was then taken to the transmission specialist, who diagnosed that the molded leadframe and wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in the Customer Satisfaction Program: 16N02 (Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage) however, the mileage was over the warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 165,982.

- Fordsville, KY, USA

problem #497

Aug 292022

F-150

  • 190,000 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 while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted causing the wheels to lock-up and the vehicle to slide. The contact also stated that the speedometer warning light flashed on and off and then remained. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #496

Jul 222022

F-150

  • miles
The truck will randomly downshift while driving losing all power on the highway not allowing the truck to increase in speed until it is turned off and restarted. After it is restarted, the speedometer stays at 0 not showing how fast we are going. While this is happening, the check engine light flashes. I have contacted the Ford dealership in our area multiple times over the last month, and they have yet to respond on the concern. Not all the trucks electrical components are working. The radio, power locks, power windows, and horn do not work. In July 2022 the truck was taken to a Ford dealership to be diagnosed, and they couldn't find a reason/cause for this in order to get the truck repaired.

- La Crosse, WI, USA

problem #495

May 012022

F-150

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at speeds above 50 MPH, the vehicle had experienced sudden transmission down shifting. Eventually the transmission failure occurred in all gears and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle had previously been serviced under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #494

Mar 302022

F-150

  • 142,000 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 while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle downshifted to a lower gear and with the engine revving. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The failure had been ongoing. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The contact researched the failure and related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

- Phoenixville, PA, USA

problem #493

Jul 142022

F-150

  • 171,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted with the drive(D) gear shift light flashing on the instrument panel. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they initially informed him that due to the mileage on the vehicle, the vehicle did not qualify for the recall. The contact left the vehicle in the possession of the dealer and was informed that water was found in the transmission and the radiator; therefore, both parts needed to be replaced. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he had the transmission drained; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

- Abbeville, LA, USA

problem #492

Jul 062022

F-150

  • 73,368 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission downshifted to first gear causing the rear wheels to lock up. The contact stated that the vehicle almost came to an immediate stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the Molded Leadframe (Part Number: AL3Z7G276D) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,368.

- Macedonia, OH, USA

problem #491

Jun 152022

F-150

  • miles
While driving at any speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifts into first gear causing a risk of losing control or crashing. This incident has occurred 3 times in the last week and has all the same symptoms related to Ford Recall # 19N01 & 19S19.

- Grand Junctions, CO, USA

problem #490

Jun 052022

F-150

  • 118,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and the speedometer went to zero. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #489

Jun 042022

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle lost its power in the power steering system, and you lose all control over the vehicle and you can't move left or right Making it very dangerous for me while it occurred, since I was unable to move the car towards any direction.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #488

May 222022

F-150

  • miles
On 22MAY2022 I started my vehicle and started pulling out of a parking space when I lost braking power. The failure resembled a similar issue I had in the past when the electronic vacuum pump failed and the brake pedal felt hard and required significant additional effort to bring the vehicle to a stop. The electronic vacuum pump and fuse has been replaced by the dealership previously. The unexpected brake failure caused me to roll farther than I wanted and hit the rock on my passenger side, rear door, causing minor body damage. Ford Customer Service said Customer Satisfaction Program 15N05 is a one time replacement and this vehicle is no longer eligible for the program since it has already been serviced. Additionally, they said any repair associated with this event is limited to 15N05 so body damage would not ne covered.

- Williston, VT, USA

problem #487

May 222022

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle shifts from a high gear to a low gear. While driving 60 miles an hour on the expressway my F150 went from six gear to first gear with no warning locking my rear wheels causing my speed to drastically or abruptly be lower almost causing several other vehicles to crash into the back of my pick up. Vehicle stays on gear sometimes first third or fifth gear with no warning switching back-and-forth. While making a stop at 0 mph vehicle stays at a high gear for example he could stay at third gear or fifth gear so they takeoff will be in third or fifth gear not in first gear. Also losing speedometer reading. This has happened multiple times while driving at low speed or high speed. I am concerned that this could cause accidents in the roads. Ford motor company corporate advised me that is an auto pocket fix sensor customer satisfaction program has expired for my vehicle. I never received notification of this issue while on my truck was within warranty. Ford Motor Company stated that they extended their coverage until 10,000 miles or 150,000 miles whichever comes first. My vehicle has 165,000 miles and he-??s 10 years old. I don-??t believe this is a normal Tear and water failure. This is a manufactures defective part that has happened in thousands of vehicles is not an isolated incident.

- Penitas, TX, USA

problem #486

May 062022

F-150

  • miles
Brake Failure: The brake Vacuum Boost pump is failing which causes a loss of power assist brakes. This is a massive safety issue and can cause serious accidents. Oddly Fors no longer manufactures the Bracket to be able to replace the pump and there is no aftermarket alternative. My Dealer tells me their notes from ford say obtains from aftermarket but I have scoured the internet and nobody makes the bracket. IT's a terrible design and a huge safety issue that should be recalled completely. Ford watts to charge over $900 to fix it but cant even get the parts as described above. Transmission Lead Rail: Recently had the Transmission Lead rail fail whcih casued sudden downshiting at highway speeds and the shift indicator to not illuinate. THis again is a massive safetey issue that Ford issued sevral TSB on but never recalled. This almost got me killed on thehighway a few times. They charged me over $1500 to replace the LEAD rail when again this defcetive design and craftsmenship that is a massive safetey issue and should be fully recalled. Engine Stutter: My truck has almost always stuttered anytime you wne tover hal throtle, There are sveral TSB on this but FORD has not stepped up and taken care o fht eissue via recall. Apprnetly moisture build up in the inercooler and gets sucked into the intake due to poor design. Timing Chain Stretch: I now have Timing chain stretch, this also seems ot be quite common due to poor design. Rear Door Failure: I can no longer open my rear half door due to failure of internal plastic door components. You can research any o fhtese issues and find that htey are very common pronlems in F150 and other Ford vehicles due to their negligence in design and engineering and some are huge safetey issues that FORD has somehow been alloweed to ignore or issue insufficinet TSB instead of Recall.

- Wynantskill, NY, USA

problem #485

Apr 092022

F-150

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #484

Mar 242022

F-150

  • miles
My truck when driving will shift into 1st gear temporarily until the truck is turned off. Check engine light comes on with p0721 code.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #483

Jan 292022

F-150

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently downshifted and the driver was able to pull over safely off the highway. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #482

Mar 012019

F-150

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The contact took the vehicle to local dealer to have the recall remedy completed. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the roadway. The contact called a local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

- Chappell Hill, TX, USA

problem #481

Jan 302022

F-150

  • miles
On multiple occasions, driving at highways speeds, the vehicle with go from 6th gear to 1st or 3rd gear, causing a lock up of the tires skidding till the engine speed slows to match transmission gear. Both times there have been vehicle behind me and have had to swerve to avoid. The first time it happened in 2019/05 and a PCM recalibration was done at a dealership, and I was not aware that there was a recall available for this specific problem, replacing the lead frame in transmission. Now that its out of the recall date that was issued by ford, it is now showing the exact same issues, 2022/01/30. After every time it happens, a warning lamp has not signaled on, and no error code results. I've talk to multiple dealerships and ford customer relations, and will not issue the recall.

- Calgary, AL, USA

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