MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford F-150

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
1,781
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

38% of complaints

Complaints per year

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: 2,758 complaints 1997 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 369 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2012: 1,781 complaints 2012 1,781 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2017: 1,438 complaints 2017 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2020: 732 complaints 2021: 1,014 complaints 2022: 592 complaints 2022 2023: 408 complaints 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2027: 0 complaints 2027
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1990: 21 complaints 1990 1991: 306 complaints 1992: 479 complaints 1993: 588 complaints 1993 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1996: 324 complaints 1996 1997: 2,758 complaints 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 1999 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2002: 821 complaints 2002 2003: 423 complaints 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2005 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2008: 369 complaints 2008 2009: 324 complaints 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2012: 1,781 complaints 2012 1,781 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2016: 2,054 complaints 2017: 1,438 complaints 2017 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2020: 732 complaints 2020 2021: 1,014 complaints 2022: 592 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2023 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 2 complaints 1984 1987: 2 complaints 1989: 14 complaints 1989 1990: 21 complaints 1991: 306 complaints 1991 1992: 479 complaints 1993: 588 complaints 1993 1994: 700 complaints 1995: 626 complaints 1995 1996: 324 complaints 1997: 2,758 complaints 1997 1998: 1,381 complaints 1999: 1,044 complaints 1999 2000: 1,076 complaints 2001: 1,236 complaints 2001 2002: 821 complaints 2003: 423 complaints 2003 2004: 2,029 complaints 2005: 1,112 complaints 2005 2006: 585 complaints 2007: 488 complaints 2007 2008: 369 complaints 2009: 324 complaints 2009 2010: 843 complaints 2011: 2,188 complaints 2012: 1,781 complaints 2012 1,781 2013: 2,987 complaints 2014: 1,532 complaints 2015: 1,711 complaints 2015 2016: 2,054 complaints 2017: 1,438 complaints 2017 2018: 2,307 complaints 2019: 1,325 complaints 2019 2020: 732 complaints 2021: 1,014 complaints 2021 2022: 592 complaints 2023: 408 complaints 2023 2024: 191 complaints 2025: 105 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints 2027: 0 complaints 2027

2012: 1,781 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19842
19872
198914
199021
1991306
1992479
1993588
1994700
1995626
1996324
19972,758
19981,381
19991,044
20001,076
20011,236
2002821
2003423
20042,029
20051,112
2006585
2007488
2008369
2009324
2010843
20112,188
20121,781
20132,987
20141,532
20151,711
20162,054
20171,438
20182,307
20191,325
2020732
20211,014
2022592
2023408
2024191
2025105
202610
20270

Known problem areas

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

Power train

38% · 681 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2025-08-11

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, 2013-02-19

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, 2026-08-06

Engine

27% · 483 reports
CRASHFIRE
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, 2013-01-30

Steering

12% · 205 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and yaw/angle sensor.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

11% · 195 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2013-01-08

While driving the truck suddenly shifted into first year with the automatic transmission. This was the third time that this has happened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-31

Electrical system

10% · 173 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2017-11-13

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 1,781 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2012-05-30Air bags12V198000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2012-06-11Exterior lighting, power train12V190000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2013-05-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-04-07 Reduced power during hard acceleration
  5. I
    2015-06-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-10-19 Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
  6. I
    2015-10-16Engineering analysisClosed 2016-04-28 Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
  7. R
    2016-09-16Power train16V248000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2017-12-25Recall queryClosed 2019-10-22 Unexpected Transmission Downshift
  9. R
    2019-03-04Power train19V075000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 681 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 483 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 205 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V198000 · Air bags
  • Recall 12V190000 · Exterior lighting, power train
  • Recall 16V248000 · Power train
  • Recall 19V075000 · Power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.