MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford F-150

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-150 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1992 1993: 588 complaints 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2758 complaints 1997 1998: 1381 complaints 1999: 1044 complaints 2000: 1075 complaints 2001: 1236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2028 complaints 2005: 1112 complaints 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 368 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 842 complaints 2011: 2185 complaints 2012: 1776 complaints 2012 2013: 2978 complaints 2014: 1520 complaints 2015: 1685 complaints 2016: 2026 complaints 2017: 1416 complaints 2017 2018: 2276 complaints 2019: 1312 complaints 2020: 717 complaints 2021: 991 complaints 2022: 581 complaints 2022 2023: 400 complaints 2024: 185 complaints 2025: 102 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
2012: 1776 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991306
1992479
1993588
1994700
1995626
1996324
19972758
19981381
19991044
20001075
20011236
2002821
2003423
20042028
20051112
2006585
2007488
2008368
2009324
2010842
20112185
20121776
20132978
20141520
20151685
20162026
20171416
20182276
20191312
2020717
2021991
2022581
2023400
2024185
2025102
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 38%

38% of complaints: power train — 678 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was proceed up to 45mph, when back tires started sliding. I rolled the truck and damage my ribs, was pined for 1.5hrs lost a $80k+

NHTSA ODI report, 20250811

Also filed under STEERING and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2012 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE TWICE, SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER 2012.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130219

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The transmission warning light was intermittently illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260806

ENGINE 27%

27% of complaints: engine — 482 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

UPON RECEIVING VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP IN JULY 2012, ECOBOOST HESITATES, THEN IT TAKES OFF AND GOES FASTER THAN YOU WANT THE VEHICLE TO.THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES TO PASS VEHICLES OR SPEED UP TO ENTER HIGHWAY FROM ON RAMP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130130

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 204 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing electric power assist system and yaw/angle sensor.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 194 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HE PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130108

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 172 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

STARTED MY VEHICLE ON A COLD MORNING TURNED ON THE WINDOW DEFROST AND REAR DEFROST. CAME BACK TO IT A FEW MINUTES LATER AND THE BACK WINDOW WAS SMOKING AND THE GASKET HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT SHATTERED THE WINDOW AND BURNT AND MELTED THE GASKET.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171113

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 1776
R 20120530 — air bags

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011. INCORRECT SOFTWARE FOR THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MODULE (OCSM) WAS INS

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCSM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-4

Campaign 12V198000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120611 — exterior lighting, power train

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE S

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONS

Campaign 12V190000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20130522 — PE (closed 20140407)

Reduced power during hard acceleration

I 20150622 — PE (closed 20151019)

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

I 20151016 — EA (closed 20160428)

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

R 20160916 — power train

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 16V248000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171225 — RQ (closed 20191022)

Unexpected Transmission Downshift

R 20190304 — power train

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.

Campaign 19V075000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (678 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (482 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (204 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V198000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V190000 (exterior lighting, power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V248000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V075000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1997 ■ 2018

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Ford F-150 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Ford F-150 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford F-150?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-150 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.