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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,288 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 14 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #203

Dec 272013

F-150

  • 36,000 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 approximately 80 mph, there was a sudden loss of engine power and the vehicle began to shake violently. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the coils and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 36,000.

- San Diego , CA, USA

problem #202

Dec 222013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 16,800 miles
I have a 2012 Ford F150 ecoboost, when accelerating in rainy conditions the vehicle loses power and begins to vibrate. The problem doesn't correct itself until the engine is shut off and restarted. This is approximately the 10th time this has occurred since the beginning of this year. I have brought the vehicle in for repairs on four separate occasions and had both tsb's performed the only fix my vehicle has not received is the new catalytic converter. The most recent time occurred since the newest tsb was performed.

- Fort Rucker, AL, USA

problem #201

Jul 062013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 11,500 miles
Ecoboost engine: 7/06/13 first time after driving 90 miles on I-10, pulled off in rest area. When getting back on the interstate, went to accelerate to match traffic and engine fell on it's nose, felt like a stall then bucked, misfired, lost all power. When lifting off accelerator engine returned to normal. Attempting to accelerate again, engine lost power again. It felt like either bad gas or ignition failure. Was able to get truck up to speed using cruise control. With a light accelerator touch, was able to make in home from pensacola to winter haven, fl. Filled up with different fuel and problem seemed to go away, so I did not take it to dealer. Second occurrence 11/16/13 while heading to pensacola after driving several hours (70-75mph), when passing a semi going uphill on I-10, faster traffic was approaching from behind, so I attempted to accelerate to get around the semi to clear the left lane. Engine fell on it's nose once again, stalled, misfired, shook and lost power. The traffic was upon us in seconds. I was able to get truck back up to speed by gently using cruise. This time took truck back to dealer. They installed a "shield or partition" in the charge-air and did a reprogram. Current mileage is 14,800. Dealer did not seem confident that this was the fix. We will see.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #200

Oct 012013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles

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

I have a 2012 Ford F-150 with the ecoboost engine. While slowly accelerating at higher speeds (generally around 50 to 70 mph), the engine misses terribly on multiple cylinders and the truck jerks and lunges violently all while losing power and speed. It happens frequently, but most often when slowly accelerating to maintain speed up a hill or pass another vehicle. The loss of power is extremely dangerous, especially while passing other vehicles on a highway.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #199

Oct 182013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 44,000 miles
I was on a highway going 65 mph, the conditions were drizzle/very humid, roughly 90 degrees outside. There was a slow car in front of me so I got in the on coming traffics lane to pass the car, but when I stomped on the gas pedal there was no response. My truck wouldn't accelerate so I pushed it a few more times and still nothing. There was a car coming and I almost got hit head on because of this incident and probably would've been badly injured had I not gotten back in my lane just before the car passed. The engine returned to normal after about 20 seconds and I was able to accelerate and finally get around the car. This is only 1 of the 5 times it has happened in this specific vehicle, its happened to me three times, and twice when I've loaned the truck to my father. It only happens in humid or rainy conditions and I'm guessing has something to do with the intercooler. But I'm not an auto guy so I wouldn't know. I called Ford corporate and they said go to the dealer, the dealer didn't see any codes that were thrown during these incidents so they said they could not help me. It was [xxx], and Ford needs to step up and help us who have defected ecoboost engines. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #198

Dec 042013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 50,223 miles
Engine lost power at 55 miles an hour pulling a light trailer merging into traffic.

- Williston , TN, USA

problem #197

Nov 052013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles

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

Loss of power during acceleration. Entire truck vibrating. Was in the passing lane in heavy traffic and bogged down. Vibration stopped when letting off gas pedal. Started right back as soon as I tried to speed up again. After a few times it went away.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #196

Nov 172013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 9,654 miles
Leaving so cal on I-15 in dry conditions cruise control set at 70. While climbing the cahon pass the truck felt like the engine died. The cruise control shut off and the vehicle shook and went into the limp home mode. It was early and traffic was light so I was able to pull to the side of the road. When I came to a stop the ck engine light, a wrench symbol along with the stability control symbol were all illuminated. I shut the truck off, got out and did a vehicle walk around nothing obvious on the outside so I popped the hood checked the fluids, belts etc. And everything looked fine. Got back in the truck started it and all the lights had cleared. Drove the remaining 300 miles home without any further problems. Took it to my local Ford dealer and had it checked, they couldn't find anything wrong Friday 22 Nov 2013 wife and I headed back to so cal it was raining for the first 200 miles then cleared up. I set the cruise at 75 and less than 50 miles later the truck did the same thing, same exact symptoms and dash symbols, I was in the right lane at the time so it wasn't a problem getting in the emergency lane. Stopped the truck shut it down and ran the same checks that I'd done previously, same result symbols cleared and the truck ran fine. 100 miles later it did it again in victorville ca. This time I was in the center lane and almost got rear ended by another vehicle. Worked my way to the right lane and luckily there was and exit. Found a place to stop and shut the engine off, didn't bother to check anything just left it off for about a minute then started it and it ran fine although the engine light remained on. Found a Ford dealer and tried to get them to check it out for me, but they said they couldn't get to it for at least 3 hours. Wife and I decided we would turn around and head for home, no further problems on the trip home.

- Mesquite, NV, USA

problem #195

Nov 222013

F-150

  • 27,302 miles
I experienced a sudden loss of power in my 2012 Ford F150 super crew with ecoboost engine.. this happened 3 times on 11-22-13 at interstate speeds, I was unable to pass slower vehicles that were running below the posted speed limit. Each time I tried to accelerate past in the passing lane the vehicle shook violently and it was as though I had run out of fuel. As soon as I took my foot off the accelerator pedal the truck would run again. The 3rd time this happened a semi truck was barreling up behind me and there was a semi on the side of me, I noticed the semi beside me moving into my lane and tried to accelerate to get clear and the semi behind me almost ran me down as my vehicle lost power and I had to pull over. This time I had to shut off the engine and restart it for the vehicle to run right again. After the 3rd time my truck went from getting 18 mpg to 12.3 mpg and ran rough as though it was cutting out. The weather was rainy and the vehicles ahead of me were throwing up quite a bit of moisture. I took the truck to the Ford dealer the next day 11-23-13 and they kept the truck for repairs. I am concerned as I and my wife could have very easily been killed of maimed yesterday because of this engine failure. If this happens to some family, they could have a fatal accident and I don't want that on my conscience. If this is a recurring problem maybe there should be a recall to fix these trucks. Thank you for your consideration.

- St. Johns, AZ, USA

problem #194

Oct 272013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 12,500 miles
I was on a trip from Oklahoma to Florida. I stopped for gas in Louisiana. When I got on to the on ramp to return to the interstate I floored the gas pedal to get in front of a semi truck, and it lost all power almost being hit by semi truck. After my trip I took my pickup truck to my Ford dealer to have it checked out.they told me they can not find anything wrong with it. This is a very dangerous problem that needs to be fixed. Me and my wife could have been killed if the semi truck did not have room to move over to miss us.

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #193

May 032013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 29,000 miles

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

On 2 separate occasions, approximately 3 months apart while in hard acceleration attempting to merge on an interstate on-ramp, vehicle began to shudder violently and lose power. In first instance, I was able to merge in the left lane and let off the accelerator. As vehicle coasted, the shudder subsided and within 1 minute stopped all together. In the second instance, when the vehicle lost power, traffic conditions would not allow me to merge and I was forced to coast along the shoulder of the road until the shudder subsided and power was resumed. In neither situation, did the vehicle go into safe mode or the check engine light appear. Vehicle simply resumed normal operation.

- Mt Zion, IL, USA

problem #192

Nov 012013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 7,000 miles
I live in lake geneva, wi. I was driving home from work in the rain and had a truck pull out in front of me when I was going 70 mph. I was unable to slow down, so I hit the gas pedal. The truck stalled completely and would not accelerate. It felt the truck missed the down shift and never went back into gear. It was raining at the time of the incident around 630 pm. Was just scary as I had a semi behind me and another vehicle to my right that I was trying to avoid. The truck is a 2012 F150 lariat with the ecoboost engine.

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

problem #191

Nov 012013

F-150

  • 15,400 miles
When accelerating from a stop in a right hand turn, the truck lost power and began to sputter and misfire. This is the 4th time this has happened to this F-150 off road 4X4 with ecoboost since I purchased it brand new. After the second time it happened, the check engine light came on so I took it to the dealer. The fix was a deflector plate installed for the twin turbo. They did not replaced the cac (charge air cooler). I was told this would most definitely fix the issue. Clearly, this did not fix the issue since I experienced the same issue yesterday. This is a potentially dangerous situation as I was turning onto very busy M59 in howell. I turned in front of a semi. Thank goodness I had enough room since I had no acceleration after the turn. Had I not given myself enough room and chanced it, the semi may not have been able to slow down in time. This vehicle should be recalled and Ford should discontinue making the ecoboost engine until they get it right.

- Cheboygan, MI, USA

problem #190

Oct 312013

F-150

  • 14,900 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 14,900.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #189

Oct 162013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 39,600 miles
Was driving on a two lane highway at approx. 60mph and when I went to pass a truck, as I accelerated and got along side the truck, my engine lost power so I could not pass. I was left in a very vulnerable position alongside the truck and had to brake to decelerate and tuck back in behind the truck. The weather was clear, temperature about 60 degrees, and luckily no oncoming traffic but there was a vehicle behind me (and luckily that drive saw my brake lights, backed off and allowed me to tuck back in behind the truck). An accident could have resulted. After getting back behind the truck my vehicle still had power but had a shudder in the drivetrain while under load (like uphill, or driving down the highway at normal highway speeds, but not while coasting). I have not tried full throttle acceleration after this incident and have driven the vehicle sparingly. Called the Ford dealer service department and have an appointment to bring the vehicle in. When the engine stalled it was just like someone turned off the key, no power but at least partial power was regained after I let off the throttle. The engine is the 3.5 liter ecoboost.

- Bismarck, ND, USA

problem #188

Dec 042012

F-150 6-cyl

  • 15,236 miles
My 2012 Ford F150 with eco-boost engine stalls and shakes upon fast acceleration. This happens mostly on rainy damp days but has happened during night driving also. Once this happens the trucks looses all power and I have had to pull off the highway, turn the engine off and restart. Have brought the truck to the dealer on three occasions with no results of correction. I know this is a common problem with this engine and need help to get Ford to correct problem or allow trade for trade on a new truck without the eco-boost engine.

- Bourg, LA, USA

problem #187

Apr 142013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 14,600 miles
I only just learned of your investigation so my memory on exact dates and mileage may be off by a few weeks. I did take my truck to the Ford dealer to report my incident so they should should have a record of this and the work they performed (baierl Ford, zelienople, pa 16063). My 2012 F150 with the 3.5L ecoboost was about 6 months old at the time. I was passing a coal truck uphill on a 10% grade. I was not towing, nor did I have a load in the bed. He was going about 30 mph. I eased out and got along side running now at about 50-55, then 'punched' the throttle to complete the pass. That did not turn out well. The engine cut out exactly like a reverse limiter on an atv and the check engine light came on. I barely was able to complete the pass, and was 'pushed' up the hill by the coal truck, engine running in that cut-out mode all the way. Got over the top and it continued to run like this down the other side. After about 6 miles, it went back to normal and the check engine light went out. Took it to my dealer not too long after. They installed something - since it was warranty work I wasn't given the paperwork and simply don't recall what they did. Apparently there was a tsb on the problem though. I have not had a repeat in the 6 months since, although I do drive differently now, having experienced that episode. That event severely compromised my confidence in this engine. Since then I have been very adverse to passing on two lane roads and have delayed towing several times for fear this would happen again potentially creating a deadly situation.

- Mars, PA, USA

problem #186

Jun 132013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
Raining out, went to pass a slower moving vehicle. My truck lost all power and shuddered like it was going over speed bumps. Check engine light came on and truck couldn't do more that 40 mph. Had to keep a level head to avoid a head on collision and get back behind vehicle I attempted to pass. Very scary. This continued to happen every time you gave it hard throttle throughout the trip. This is an ecoboost F150 with the twin turbo V6 engine.

- Claresholm Ab Canada, MT, USA

problem #185

Oct 122013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 17,100 miles
We were returning from Arkansas in our F150 with the ecoboost engine in rain/heavy mist. We were on the interstate for a long period of time and when I went to pass a slower vehicle the truck just shook and wouldn't accelerate. It happened again 1.5 hours later in the same conditions, truck would not accept anything beyond 3/8 throttle. This happened before when we were in the rain (coming from Arkansas) with the exact same conditions (year ago). I haven't taken the truck to the dealer as from reading several places there isn't a true fix at this point. Some people are drilling holes in their intercoolers trying to drain the water that appears to be the issue.

- Flint, TX, USA

problem #184

Aug 302013

F-150 6-cyl

  • 11,500 miles
I had read about this issue but thought I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have a issue. However at about 11,500 miles driving in a rainy humid day on the highway I got in a spot where I had a rig going about 30mph and I was doing about 60mph having more than enough time to pass safely before the other rig coming up in the passing lane I decided to go around.. as soon as I pushed the pedal to the floor and got in the passing lane the truck lost power, ,, shuddered badly and I almost couldn't get around the rig that was only doing 30! after getting by I decided to try to get off the road and again I was successful but not without the anxiety on thinking the rig coming up would not be able to slow down enough to allow me to get off the road without pushing me off. So far there have been no known accidents but again if the conditions are right for an accident to happen could be as simple as passing on a foggy night and the person coming up on you at 70 never saw the F150 ecoboost sitting in the passing lane doing 45 trying to get it off the side of the road passing at the top of a hill with nowhere to pull off to the right as going down the hill with a 70 mph tractor trailer driver doing his best to shut down his rig trying to avoid a jack knife due to a F150 ecoboost doing 40 mph with no where to pull off! so any of you that think this isn't a big problem waiting to happen then I suggest one thing.... hope, ,, pray, ,,, that you never come up on a ecoboost passing a rig and find yourself between a F150 losing 30 mph and trying to get off the road, then you, , followed by a rig doing 70 mph on your bumper in the passing lane!!!

- Dubois, PA, USA

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