2012 Ford F-150 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Ford F-150 holds 1,781 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 133 per year. That is more complaints per year than most F-150 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 90. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Transmission control module, Automatic transmission, and Inactive sensor control module.

2009 Ford F-150 XLT — Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain

Complaints

1,781

Per year

133

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (671 of 1,781), then Engine (483) and Steering (202). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 63,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 102,629 miles. Those filings include 40 that report a crash, 14 that report a fire, 23 that report an injury, and 2 that report a death.

Next to 2013

The 2013 F-150 has 2,981 complaints, 113 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Ford F-150. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (4)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2019-02-11 · NHTSA campaign 19V075000

Summary 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.

Vehicles affected 1,263,051

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2016-04-27 · NHTSA campaign 16V248000

Summary 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.

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.

Vehicles affected 153,581

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2012-05-03 · NHTSA campaign 12V190000

Summary 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 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

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.

Vehicles affected 10,500

Recall air bags, frontal, inactive sensor control module 2012-05-03 · NHTSA campaign 12V198000

Summary 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 THE PASSENGER SEATS OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR DEPLOYS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT.

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.

Vehicles affected 101

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (1781 total)

Powertrain

671

Engine

483

Steering

202

Speed control

194

Electrical system

155

Service brakes

124

Visibility and wipers

Fuel and propulsion system

Air bags

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Fuel system, gasoline

Suspension

Structure, body

Engine and engine cooling

Wheels

Rear window

Seats

Side or rear glass

Automatic transmission

Exterior lighting

Tires

Hydraulic brakes

Speedometer and odometer

Sunroof

Defroster and HVAC

Instrument cluster

Latch

Lug nuts

Wheel speed sensor

Seat belts

Sidewall

Traction control

Visibility

Automatic emergency braking

Back-over prevention

Brake lights

Electric power steering

Electrical system, software

Lock

Structure

Underbody shields

ABS warning light

Accelerator pedal

Adaptive cruise control

Cables

Catalytic converter

Door

Driveshaft

Frame

Fuel gauge

Fuel pump

Fuses and circuit breakers

Fuses and relays

Heating element

Horn

Hoses and fittings

Latches, locks, and linkages

Rear wiper

Rearview mirrors

Sensor control module

Steering angle sensor

Switch

Temporary spare tire

Transmission control module

Vacuum

Wiring

Show 58 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Of the 1,471 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 63,000 miles. The middle half fall between 25,000 and 102,629 miles.

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the transmission seized while driving 15 MPH and making a left turn onto the highway in oncoming traffic, and the vehicle suddenly stopped. The wrench symbol…"
Powertrain, Engine, electrical system, instrument cluster · filed 2026-09-17
"On XXX, I brought my 2012 Ford F-150 (VIN: [XXX]) to an authorized dealership (Ed Morse Ford Geneseo) to complete mandatory safety recall 19S07 (Molded Lead Frame Software Update). The vehicle was fully operational,…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-09-01
"While Driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous Ford formums and websites for my year and model truck."
Steering · filed 2026-08-31
"While driving the truck suddenly shifted into first year with the automatic transmission. This was the third time that this has happened."
Speed control · filed 2026-08-31
"The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, almost causing the wheels to lock up. The power train warning light…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-08-20

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars
2012 Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x2	4 stars	3 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2012 Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x4	4 stars	3 stars	5 stars	3 stars
2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x2	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	16	22	19 MPG	$3400
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive	6.2L, 8-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	13	18	15 MPG	$4300
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	16	22	18 MPG	$3600
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive flex-fuel	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	17	23	19 MPG	$3400
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive flex-fuel	5L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$3800
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive flex-fuel	5L, 8-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$3800
F-150 pickup two-wheel drive flex-fuel	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	17	23	19 MPG	$3400
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Part-time four-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$3800
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	15	21	17 MPG	$3800
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive	6.2L, 8-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	12	16	13 MPG	$5000
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive flex-fuel	5L, 8-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	14	19	16 MPG	$4050
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive flex-fuel	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Part-time four-wheel drive	16	21	18 MPG	$3600
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive flex-fuel	3.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	16	21	18 MPG	$3600
F-150 pickup four-wheel drive flex-fuel	5L, 8-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Part-time four-wheel drive	14	19	16 MPG	$4050
F-150 Raptor pickup four-wheel drive	6.2L, 8-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	12	16	13 MPG	$5000

Specs and fitment

12th generation, 2009–2014

Body styles Pickup truck

Oil 5W-20 (3.7L V6, 5.0L V8, 6.2L V8 Raptor/Harley); 5W-30 (3.5L EcoBoost, from 2011) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 235/75R17 to 275/45R22

Towing capacity 11,300 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Peak filing years around 2013 center on the six-speed automatic. Recall 19V-075 (Ford 19S07) covers certain 2011-2013 F-150 trucks with that transmission: the gearbox may unexpectedly downshift into first gear regardless of speed, which can cause loss of control; dealers reprogram the powertrain control module. Separately, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 introduced for 2011 had early-production issues: TSB 13-8-1 covered intermittent stumble or misfire on 2011-2012 trucks from condensation in the charge-air-cooler tubes in humid weather (NHTSA closed its inquiry after the bulletin). Investigation EA15-006 also found moisture entering the electric vacuum pump on 2011-2012 trucks could corrode the pump and raise cold-start brake-pedal effort; Ford extended pump warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles under CSP 15N05 rather than a recall.

Compare

Next year 2013 Ford F-150 See every Ford F-150 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Ford F-150 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Ford F-150?

Is the 2012 Ford F-150 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 F-150 has 2,981 complaints, 113 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Ford F-150 been recalled?

The 2012 Ford F-150 has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Ford F-150?

Owners have filed 1781 complaints about the 2012 Ford F-150 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Ford F-150 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Ford F-150 is 16.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is my Ford F-150?

2009-2014 is the 12th generation, 2015-2020 is the 13th generation (first all-aluminum body), and 2021-present is the 14th generation.

Does the towing capacity apply to every F-150 trim?

No. The listed figure is the generation's best-equipped maximum (specific engine, cab, and Max Trailer Tow Package); a base XL or Raptor will tow significantly less.

Is the F-150 Lightning included in this data?

No, the F-150 Lightning EV is tracked as a separate model in this catalog; this page covers only the conventional gas and hybrid F-150.