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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,027 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

problem #15

Jun 062024

F-150

  • 156,000 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 upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cam phasers. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 156,000.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #14

Jan 142015

F-150 6-cyl

  • 364,050 miles
Vehicle engine stalled driving at highway speed (70 mph). Engine went into safe mode. Similar problem occurred in the past (01/04/2013). Repair was performed under tsb 13-8-1 and previously under tsb12-10-19 (incident 01/04/2013). Corrective action both times was to install air deflector plate and replace catalytic converter for both occurrences. Ford says the problem only occurs on the 6 cylinder ecoboost engine after driving extended distances at prolonged highway speed. If I had been towing my rv trailer at either time, a serious accident could have occurred. My issue is that two tsb's have been issued by Ford for the same problem and the required fixes are identical but not sure if the vehicle is safe to drive anymore. I suggest Ford issue a recall for all ecoboost powered vehicles.

- Rolla, MO, USA

problem #13

Aug 132014

F-150

  • 34,800 miles
Numerous problems some or all may be related to a mistake at a Ford dealership. There are numerous physical problems but the truck is totally non-drivable as it generates a horrific smell into the truck that quickly makes people sick, nauseated, headaches, burning eyes, nose, throat). A catalytic converter was replaced and three dealerships have agreed the smell is at, near, or just above the replaced converter. They agree the smell is there (it will set off a carbon monoxide tester inside the cab) but no ne wants to do anything about it and they do not want to go test drive the unit. The first dealership that created numerous physical problems and led to the crash (truck locked up and went airborne twice hitting very hard on the concrete) had a company clean and sanitize the airlines which did not help. They said they would get the epa to determine the nature and danger of the smell but later was told it would cost too much for them to get the epa to do the air quality test. Too much"??? when at least 6 people have gotten sick from the truck. Ford motor agreed to have a different dealership work on the truck with a Ford engineer but when I took it there I was told they would not do it without approval first from Ford. I have called back to Ford motor three times and was promised this would be resolved three days ago, two days ago and again today I only got an answering machine. I was promised a call back on Wednesday which never happened. I told a Ford representative I was parking the truck or trading it on my doctors and family's request. I was told that there could be legal implications if I trade it. Why" they are not doing anything about it. For whatever reason, malfunction or related to the dealerships mistakes, this truck is unsafe for anyone.

- St. Joseph, MO, USA

problem #12

Sep 132014

F-150

  • 13,000 miles

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

While traveling on the interstate, my vehicle starting shuttering as I changed lanes to pass another vehicle. As I accelerated, the engine lost power, and the engine light started flashing. My vehicle continues to shutter under hard acceleration.

- Greeneville , TN, USA

problem #11

May 172014

F-150

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and shook violently as the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that a part in the inner cooler needed to be altered. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000.

- Garner, IA, USA

problem #10

Mar 252014

F-150 4WD 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
The vehicle felt like it was losing power and missing at times. The vehicle gas mileage had decreased over the last few times driving. The engine light came on and stayed on. Not flashing just illuminated. I took the vehicle to my local dealership the same day as the engine light came on. I was told by the dealership that the catalytic converter and vapor valve needed to be replaced. This could be a major safety concern if these 2012 ecoboost motors are losing power while driving.

- Tunnel Hill, GA, USA

problem #9

Dec 312013

F-150

  • 21,000 miles

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

While driving at normal highway speeds truck will abruptly die losing steering and brakes and has to be pulled to side of road and restarted. Normally happens while pulling rv trailer has not happened running empty. After restart will normally run several miles before recurrence. It always reflects "service advance trac" and shows a wrench at the read out. However, when taken to dealer there was no engine code so they are unable to find problem. I feel like we are at risk of a serious accident everytime we pull the trailer. This has happened 6 times. Dealer has advised me to keep driving till next time it occurs and to somehow try to restart without erasing "service advance trac" read out. I thing for our safety there is a lot of jeopardy in this.

- Holt, MO, USA

problem #8

Aug 142012

F-150 6-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
On three different occasions was in the process of passing a vehicle, and all of a sudden lost engine acceleration, pick up began to vibrate, pulled over and called service center, was told to turn off and restart vehicle, proceeded to destination!

- Graham, TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 072013

F-150 4WD 6-cyl

  • 4,800 miles
We had the scare of our lives along with our passengers. While I was driving my 2012 F150 on a trip back from charleston, wv to Ohio on interstate 77. The truck had a major problem. We were traveling about 75 miles an hour and I accelerated to pass slower traffic in the right lane. As I entered the passing lane the truck lost power. Luckily, I'm an excellent driver and was able to quickly move back to the right lane before a large SUV rear ended us. I then tried to accelerate since our speed had dropped to about 50 mph. The truck shook violently until I let off of the gas. The ac turned off when I tried to accelerate again to get up to the legal speed of 70 mph. The truck again shook violently. After about two miles the F150 started to act some what normal again. We did not experience any other problems in the remaining 150 miles of our trip. For the most part, the trip to charleston, wv from Ohio was wet. The trip back was mostly dry with temps in the low 80's and humid. I don't know what damage this caused to our truck. I'm very upset with these and our 2013 escape problems. The truck is parked for now, to dangerous the drive in wet/humid conditions. This problem needs to be taken care of immediately. This is an accident ready to happen.

- Garrettsville, OH, USA

problem #6

Mar 232013

F-150

  • 2,212 miles
While merging onto highway during acceleration ecperienced loss of power, check engine light, and shutter throughout entire truck. This information is all over the Ford forums. Hundreds of people witht he same symptoms.

- De Queen, AR, USA

problem #5

Aug 302012

F-150

  • miles

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

2012 F150 ecoboost. Consumer states shuttering, loss of horsepower and electrical panel went blank the consumer stated when he stopped at the gas station, there was steam coming from the engine. The next morning, as the consumer was driving to the dealer, the check engine light illuminated. The mechanic found the inner cooler was filled with water and was pushing water through the engine. The water was created by the engine and its components. The consumer was informed there was no fix for the problem at the current time. Updated 02/11/13

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 232012

F-150 6-cyl

  • 341 miles
When accelerating the truck bogged. RPM of engine increase truck did not. Let off gas and depressed truck began to shake violently. Attempting to merge on interstate. Had to pull over and shut truck off to return to normal. This has happened several occasions. I have documented each time it has happened with more details each time. Ford has looked at truck several times. Latest word is that they have a problem, started a tsb however there isn't a fix available. This is very dangerous when driving especially on the interstate when changing lanes or merging from ramp. There is not any warning and scares the devil out of the driver.

- Mckean, PA, USA

problem #3

Feb 062012

F-150 6-cyl

  • 2,200 miles
While merging into traffic and accelerating, the engine stalled and the truck engine almost died. This has happened numerous times since, mainly when I accelerate quickly as in trying to pass a car. It could easily get someone killed. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem or come up with a fix because there are no codes showing even though the check engine light comes on when this happens I have checked the F150forum.com and its evident that this problem is rampant with this engine..

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #2

Dec 282011

F-150

  • 500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150 crew cab. The contact stated that the vehicle did not come equipped with covers over the fender wells of the engine. The dealer was notified of the issue who stated to the contact that they no longer offered the feature and that he could purchase one at his expense of $300. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and confirmed the dealer's statement. They offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 500.

- Marseilles, IL, USA

problem #1

Mar 222012

F-150

  • miles
Engine misfire, shudder, bogging. Tsb didnt fix.

- Marrero, LA, USA

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