2012 Ford F-150 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in 4th or 5th gear, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into 1st gear. The contact pulled to the side of the road and manually shifted into 2nd gear and drove to the residence. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the failure with…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 100,200 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The failure was a persistent failure, with the power train warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 175,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 23,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

i dropped my ford truck off for a recall that was done only three months ago and it had an extended warranty (Recall campaign number 19S07/19V075 sudden downshift powertrian control module programming) with it but it didnt fix the problem. when i picked up my truck after them keeping it for two weeks and telling me they had no loaners…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the cam phasers and timing chain had failed, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 67,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 72,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

While Driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous Ford formums and websites for my year and model truck.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The component involved is the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system. It intermittently fails and returns unexpectedly, causing sudden changes in steering effort and jerking of the steering wheel. This creates a serious safety risk because vehicle control can change without warning, especially at highway speeds. The steering…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving the truck suddenly shifted into first year with the automatic transmission. This was the third time that this has happened.Owner complaint, filed 2026

My truck started experiencing the notorious Ford "limp mode" needs lead frame replaced. Ford has a customer satisfaction program directly related to this issue but though its 20k under their 150k limit it is over 10 yrs old so they are not honoring anything or doing anything about covering and cost associated. Pretty crappy of ford.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 64,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shook abnormally. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact repeatedly depressed and released the brake pedal until the vehicle came to…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 112,000 miles

While traveling at high way speed my brakes failed. We almost rear ended people and almost crashed into the divider. Thankfully the parking brake still worked.. We are very grateful that no one got injured. The truck is getting repaired at ford as I write this and it was diagnosed as master cylinder & brake booster failure.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Ford F-150. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale on January 1st, 2026. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 154,000, and while having the vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic at an Auto Body Shop, it was discovered from a Carfax report…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 301,348 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Ford F-150. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 131,402, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 155,351.Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 155,351 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles. Parts named most: Defroster / defogger / HVAC system: rear window (13).

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake lights and taillights failed to function as intended. The neighbor who was driving behind the contact's vehicle, informed the contact that the brake lights and taillights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 130,000 miles

The rear-window defroster over heated on the passenger side causing that window to chatter. At one spot at the bottom, the rubber frame around the glass started to melt and burn just before the window chattered. If I had not been standing close to see what was happening, and turn the control off, I believe this could have started a fire…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

This is a follow up to a complaint I made on 7-25-2022. Ref# 114-75779. My truck will not start sometimes or it will just shut off while driving. I have searched online and found that the fuel pump fuse in the distribution box is being burned. I have had it checked by two Ford mechanics and they both have confirmed that is the issue. My…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact became aware that the fuel pump fuse was melted while inspecting the fuse panel. Epic ford located at 5200 evergreen way, everett, wa 98203, (425) 353-7171, was contacted by phone and were made aware…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 70,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Summary VIN [XXX] Airbag light continues to come on after beinig serviced multiple times by the dealer. 1)1-4-18 the airbag light turned on. The dealer completed $1,180.82 in repairs replacing the RCM. 2)11-6-18, a second issue occurred with the air bag light. Cost was $943.46 to replace the seat belt tensioner 3)11-12-18 CAS 16338506.…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle that failed to stop at a red light. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact stated that he had suffered minor injuries to his jaw but had not sought…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 320,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 93,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (18).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the front passenger's side door and the rear driver's side door had failed to latch while closed and opened unexpectedly while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the door latches were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 175,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while at a stop light, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact called a tow truck company, which declined to tow the vehicle. The tow truck driver informed the contact that there was severe rust damage to the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 151,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel; after which the driver's side front wheel detached and struck truck in the far-left lane. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway; however, there was extensive damage to the driver's…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 105,000 miles

After service on 04/12/2022, my receipt under comments said,"rep lug nuts". That's all. 44,286 miles at that time. I took f-150 for oil change & tire rotation again on 2/22/2023, with 47,882 miles on truck. Service receipt said they did not rotate tires. I asked why, and I was told "because lug nuts are worn". I told service manager that…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving there is a noise coming from the from suspension around the wheels that sounds like running over rumble strips. It is an ongoing problem that occurs on and off all the time. The mechanic says it is something in the 4 wheel drive componentsOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 120,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving above 40 MPH or merging, the vehicle shook violently. The speed decreased to 35 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer, but it was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the issue was possibly related to a previous issue with the charged air cooler (related to the turbo). The…Owner complaint, filed 2016

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 21,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Safety belts have become locked & unusable after a collision. The seat belts on the driver and front passenger side will not pull out from the retracted position. Vehicle was inspected by State Farm Insurance & Caliber Collision, in connection with Boggus Ford Dealer, & all have determined that this is NOT collision related. This…Owner complaint, filed 2023

I drive along and my seatbelt just unlatches. I put it back in the reciever buckle it clicks I tug on it and its latched......I drive down the road.....eventually it unlatches again. I dont know what to do. With a part that doesnt appear to be damaged, and appears to work but isn't. I dont really want to replace it with the same part.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 147,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while reversing, the back-over prevention camera image was displayed on the wrong side of the screen, creating a visibility hazard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the camera unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The backup…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 250,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blue. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 60,000 miles