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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,301 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Jan 162017

F-150

  • 80,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was parked and activating the rear window defroster, the rear window shattered after several minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Monroe, WA, USA

problem #62

Jan 142017

F-150

  • 68,000 miles
In warm weather the truck suddenly shakes and downshifts to first gear no matter what speed you are going. The speedometer stops working, a wrench is displayed on dash sometimes. The speed after doing this does not exceed 20-25 mph. If we can safely get to the shoulder of the road and turn truck off and restart it everything resets. This happens atleast once daily, sometimes more than once daily. It always happens when truck is in motion. It does not matter what speed as it has happens at different speeds and on one occasion when I was in the process of stopping for a red light. The last occurrence happened today, but it has been happening for several months. When it is cold outside it does happen less, maybe once weekly instead of multiple times daily when the weather is warm outside.

- Branch, LA, USA

problem #61

Dec 242016

F-150

  • 48,025 miles
Dealer identified fuse #27 melted causing stalling and potential to overheat circuit causing an electrical fire. Not covered under Ford certified pre owned warranty for powertrain etc. Vehicle stalled in traffic and failed to restart until after third attempt..

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #60

Dec 162016

F-150

  • miles

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

This is not a defective glass or frame issue. This is strictly an electrical issue on the defroster. From what I've learned about it, it seems to be a widespread problem, not just freak coincidence. If more people lived in colder climates there would be more complaints. Friday Dec. 16, 2016, around 8 pm. I started my Ford F150 and tried to turn rear defogger on. High that day was 32, low 22. At that time of day I would expect it was closer to 22 than 32. The indicator light light for the defroster flashed on, then went out. I tried again, this time it stayed on for 15 or 20 secs. I backed out of the driveway and when shifter from reverse to forward I noticed indicator light was off again. I drove 50 to 100 yards when I heard a loud pop. The street in my subdivision are asphalt and have no potholes, it was replaced last summer. I thought I smelled something burning, and realized the rear window on passenger side was shattered. The window was still in frame, no holes and there were no chips. Just a shattered piece of glass in the frame. Nothing hit the window or there was no other reason the window would shatter, other than the rear defroster heating the window to a point it cracked. I talked with a shop about repairing the window, and owner told me his supplier said there are roughly 500 of these units that get replaced every week in Michigan alone. I believe this is a far more widespread problem but only those states that have freezing temps and it only affects vehicles in 2-3 months a year.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #59

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 #58

Dec 132016

F-150 6-cyl

  • 48,583 miles
Was driving vehicle at 55mph heard a loud bang. Sounded like an explosion! the sound startled me almost causing an accident. The rear window had shattered. Pulled over and got out, the bottom right corner of the window was on fire. Not realizing what was happening I attempted to pour water on it. It continued to burn, then I quickly took a rag from inside the truck and began to try an put out the fire. Between that water, rag and a screw driver the fire was finally out. The fire that was burning was very odd in nature nothing I had ever seen before. I immediately looked the incident up online and saw that this has happened hundreds of times Ford Motor Company is fully aware but will not cover it unless entire vehicle is still under warranty. This is totally a danger to society! this almost caused an awful accident.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #57

Oct 152016

F-150

  • miles

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

After speaking with Ford Motor Company I thought I should file a complaint on here as well. My husbands 2012 Ford F150 power steering shut off while driving down the road. After much research, it appears his is by far not the only one. Apparently other models of the same year have had recalls but not the F150. I was told go get it checked out and fixed and if we issue a recall, you might get a refund. $2200 and we can get it checked out and fixed if they see the problem. This is not an in and out service and its very disappointing a company that has been around since 1903 has turned to such poor quality in service. Everyone needs to file a complaint so they will stop taking advantage of the loyalty of the customers.

- Satsuma, AL, USA

problem #56

Aug 032016

F-150

  • 61,900 miles
Fuel pump fuse #27 melted causing engine to shut down and lose all power steering and brakes.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #55

Aug 192016

F-150

  • 59,000 miles
Our transmission is doing exactly what the recall mentioned. We are traveling with a 2 year old and I can not believe that Ford does not have a fix to this problem this usa very dangerous situation while traveling on an interstate

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #54

Mar 102013

F-150 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was parked, the electronic door switches failed to unlock the doors. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact mentioned that the door was opened manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 09/23/16

- Dexter, MO, USA

problem #53

Jul 152016

F-150

  • 59,200 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 transmission downshifted into first gear and the instrument panel lights failed without warning. The contact was able to place the vehicle in neutural, turn off, and resart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,200.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #52

Jun 252016

F-150

  • 152,070 miles
While driving my 2012 F-150eb, the power steering assist quit working in the middle of a turn in a parking garage. I had to put all 180 lbs of my weight into the steer in order to avoid a concrete stanchion, 2 pedestrians and another vehicle. Had my wife been driving, this could have resulted in a fatality. Ford Corp. Claims they know of no problems with the steering on this vehicle. However, I have found numerous complaints on line citing the same problem/issues. Diagnosis was "power steering electric motor failure" and repair cost is $2,200.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #51

Apr 202016

F-150

  • 54,000 miles
Steering wheel clock spring, which controls all steering wheel electronics and airbag is faulty. Replacement clock spring required. I noticed this issue while driving and using my radio controls on the steering wheel. Upon pushing a button like volume up for instance, the radio station would change. The buttons were doing the improper functions. I brought it into Ford and they stated that the clock spring is faulty and needs to be replaced since it controls the airbag, which may be affected by the faulty unit.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #50

Mar 192016

F-150

  • 53,212 miles
Started my truck around 9 pm and placed the transmission in reverse, had to back down a long straight parking lot, speeds of at least 15 mph. Came to a complete stop, shifted the transmission into drive and pulled out onto a main road, hit the merge turn signal and heard nothing. I diddnt think much of it, thought I diddnt hit the turn signal arm hard enough. Turning onto main road and hit turn signal again, no sound. Looked at dashboard, everything is off, no back lighting and no gauge movement/lights at all. Exterior lights work but not reverse lights, turn truck on and off 3X with no resolution to the problem. 4th try finally reboots the computer and has run fine since then

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #49

Apr 032012

F-150

  • 92,000 miles
Started the truck to warm up, as tempeture was 17 deg. F.. went inside to lock up house and when I came out there was smoke coming out of doors. Upon opening, the cab was filled with black smoke and there was a flaming mass on passinger side floor on a floor mat I had purchased for truck. I pulled mat out with melting pile of plastic and put fire out with snow on ground. Had to make arrangements for someone to pick us up and get home because I had my 8yr. Old granddaughter with me and she had to attend school the next day and we were 275 miles from our home. This happened April 3rd 2016 in millport, pa. 16748 and my residence is ivyland, pa. 18974. Rented a car at home 4/4/16 and got ion touch with Ford dealership in coudersport, pa. 16915, kightlinger motors. Truck wasto be ready 4/13 and I was going to return rental car to mansfield, pa. Location and had a ride to coudersport to pick up truck. Received a call Thursday 4/14 that truck wouldn't be ready until possibly 4/20/16. The vehicle was stantionary warming up with fan on low when fire started and had been warming up (no pun intended) less than 5 minutes as we were ready to leave. Truck is a company vehicle.

- Lansdale, PA, USA

problem #48

Mar 232016

F-150

  • 22,000 miles
I remote started my F-150 supercrew in the morning, it was approximately 22 degrees F outside. I drove to the corner store (0.1 miles away) to grab a bite to eat. I turned my truck off, went in, then started my truck back up to head to the gas station (0.2 miles away) & fueled up. I turned my truck back on and hit the rear defrost button to clear some ice on the rear window. After driving for about 3-4 minutes (roughly 3 miles), while on the freeway, I heard a loud "pop". I noticed that the rear window had shattered. It was the window pane located behind the driver seat. There was no impact to the window and would've been extremely unlikely since I was driving. Must be an electrical issue (a short, a surge, or something). My truck is out of the 3 year warranty window, but has just under 22,000 miles on it. The dealership would not pay a penny to replace my window. I called the Ford customer care line and they stand behind the dealer decision to not pay anything for it. This is clearly an issue with their vehicles. I've searched this site and seen the same problems on 2010 - 2015 models of the F-150. This problem is not being addressed what-so-ever by Ford. What happens after I get this window replaced and use the defroster, only to have my new window shatter as well? I guess I have to pay for that one too. My grandmother and grandfather worked for Ford. My family has been long time Ford customers. This is my third Ford vehicle. That trend has just ended. Considering a trade in to Chevy or Dodge.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #47

Mar 212016

F-150

  • 75,000 miles
While driving on the highway at 7:15am I was using the rear window defroster to melt the ice on the rear window. It was 24 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The drivers side rear window pane (3 paned rear window) shattered. The window that shattered is where the connections for the rear defrost are located. There were no holes or impact points on the window.

- Streetsboro, OH, USA

problem #46

Mar 142016

F-150

  • 18,000 miles
Started up truck, windows were foggy so turned on front and rear defrost. Rear defrost light came on and went off. Pushed rear defrost button again and light would not come on. Parked the truck got out and heard a loud pop. Rear window driver side completely shattered. There is no impact and believe the rear defrost is defective and shorted out causing the rear window to shatter. Was not covered under Ford extended warranty and dealer wanted $950 to replace.

- Millington, TN, USA

problem #45

Feb 182016

F-150

  • 50,000 miles
Turned rear defroster on, heard loud pop from rear defrost and it shattered out back window all in an instant. The vehicle was parked and had recently been started after a cold night.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

problem #44

Feb 012016

F-150

  • 72,000 miles
Vehicle fuel pump shuts off while driving due to fuel pump fuse (location #27) burning up in fuse box. After my vehicle shutting down while driving several times, last on the highway, with a total loss of power steering and other safety concerns, I found Ford has issued a tsb (tsb 15-0137) with a work around fuse relocation. This is unsatisfactory as this is a known issue to Ford, but not the consumer, putting drivers at risk. The fuse at issue, location #27, literally melted and burned up in the socket.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

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