NHTSA lists 1,783 complaints for the 2012 Ford F-150, 40 of them mention a crash and 14 mention a fire. 23 complaints mention an injury, with 29 injuries and 2 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD F-150.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| loss of control | 654 | 46.3% | 0.79 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 366 | 25.9% | 0.68 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 240 | 17.0% | 0.74 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 47 | 3.3% | 0.80 |
|---|
| unclear | 24 | 1.7% | 0.73 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 22 | 1.6% | 0.88 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 19 | 1.3% | 0.78 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 18 | 1.3% | 0.77 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 13 | 0.9% | 0.54 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 11 | 0.8% | 0.83 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 1,077 | 76.2% | 0.84 |
|---|
| low | 223 | 15.8% | 0.69 |
|---|
| high | 105 | 7.4% | 0.77 |
|---|
| none | 5 | 0.4% | 0.43 |
|---|
| critical | 4 | 0.3% | 0.79 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 1,414 tagged complaints of 1,783 complaints (79.3%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2019-02-11. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-04-27. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Consequence: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2012-05-03. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: 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 INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES EITHER AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING OR DURING THE COURSE OF REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AS PART OF A SERVICE REPAIR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE OCSM MAY MISCLASSIFY TH (excerpt)
Consequence: A FAILURE TO DEPLOY, FAILURE TO DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR A DEPLOYMENT WHEN NOT INTENDED, INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT. (excerpt)
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 1-866-436-7332. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2012-05-03. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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 SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 A LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.A THESE VEHICLES MAY HAV (excerpt)
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE A RA POSITION AND THE VEHICLEA S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE A RA MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THES (excerpt)
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 RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
4 investigations; 0 open.
RQ17010
Opened: 2017-12-25. Closed: 2019-10-22.
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).E
Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Linked campaign numbers: 19V075000.
EA15006
Opened: 2015-10-16. Closed: 2016-04-28.
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On February 15, 2016, Ford Motor Company initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 15N05 to extend warranty coverage for the electric vacuum pump in certain model year (MY) 2011 through 2012 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines.The program extends coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, all vehicles are eligible for the
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE15026
Opened: 2015-06-22. Closed: 2015-10-19.
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On June 22, 2015, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE15-026 to investigate incidents of increased brake pedal effort at cold start and extended stopping distance while driving in traffic, resulting from failures of the electric brake vacuum assist pump in model year (MY) 2011-2012 Ford F-150 pickup trucks equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. In response to ODI's
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE13018
Opened: 2013-05-22. Closed: 2014-04-07.
Reduced power during hard acceleration
On May 22, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE13-018 to investigate 95 complaints alleging incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations in model year (MY) 2011 through 2013 Ford F-150 trucks.ODI was aware of three technical service bulletins (TSBs) issued by Ford for a condition that was related to moisture accumulation in the Charge Air Cooler (CAC) for the tu
Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
117 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 26 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 22 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 17 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 16 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 10 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 7 |
|---|
| SUSPENSION | 7 |
|---|
11031792
Date: 2026-04-29. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Harvest Program 25H05 a Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
11029052
Date: 2026-02-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
11026013
Date: 2025-11-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
11008948
Date: 2024-10-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
11005305
Date: 2024-07-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: WHEELS.
This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel a
10254138
Date: 2024-04-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
10251951
Date: 2024-03-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be
10235153
Date: 2023-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affe
10214754
Date: 2022-06-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure
10201087
Date: 2021-08-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.