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9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$500
Average Mileage:
87,400 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. repair cracked frame (2 reports)
2012 Ford F-150 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments

problem #4

Aug 012017

F-150 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,968 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Looks like Ford is having problems with some of their transmission and I seem to be the owner of one of them.

I even had the first recall (16S19) completed before my truck ever had the problem. You know fix it before it breaks mentality. Not so much...

While taking the family to the beach a few weeks ago it quickly almost turned a bit too exciting. While merging onto a major highway my truck decided to go clean right up thru the gears as usual until it decided to abruptly shift into first doing about 50mph. Locking up the rear until with a shutter and a hard jerk it broke lose. Needless to say a few cars behind us weren't all too happy. Sorry! Pulled the truck over, shifted into park and restarted the truck. Everything seemed normal, but unfortunately it wasn't. Without warning the truck would pick any gear it wanted. Got it home in manual. Fun.

We got the truck home and back to the dealership. Yep the first recall, a precautionary fix, didn't do the fix Ford stated it would do. Now it was the lead frame recall (16N02). Ok had that one done. The truck seems like it won't shift without warning locking me up again, but its hard to tell if its truly fixed because the transmission came back from the dealership and this shifting ordeal with a damaged transmission. Now the truck has a problem shifting from 2nd into 3rd, so we just don't use it as much and I haven't risked taking it back on the hwy for a ture test.

While having the lead frame replaced the dealer noticed the shifting problem and placed a camera inside the tranny to take a look. Piston between second and third may have gotten damaged. Cant tell how, or why. May not even be the problem. Trans needs to be torn down. Awesome.

Ford didn't know they had inherently designed a flawed transmission. They didn't know that their first safety recall wasn't going to solve the issue. I can't even get anyone from Ford, or the dealership to tell me what the possible damage could even be when one of their transmissions goes thru something likes this. Here's what they do know for certain. The current damage the transmission now has is most certainly not cause and effect from their previous failed repair recall. Yet no one will put anything in writing. Also getting the dealership handing me off to Ford customer relations and Ford customer relations hot potato me right back to the dealership wasn't fun either.

Look I have 87K on this truck and besides the rear window defogger not working, this truck owes me nothing. I have every intention in keeping it and doing all the repairs that goes along with it. But don't tell me Mr. Ford that you have this safety recall under control. You may now, but you didn't after the first recall and it almost got my family hurt. We're all lucky all we have is some damage!

Like I said I will be having the trans repaired. It won't be done by Ford, nor will it be using Ford OEM parts. I'll keep and upload the pics of the damaged parts when completed.

Our consumer protection agency needs to make sure Ford is doing the right thing here.

- Michael D., Richboro, US

problem #3

May 162017

F-150 XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,565 miles

My truck unexpectedly downshifts and RPMS go up to 4000, while pulling an empty trailer. It doesn't throw a code.

I looked on Ford's site for recalls. What my truck is doing is the same thing as the recall. I called Ford and because my VIN Number isn't the right Vin they tell me there is no recall on my truck even though its doing the same thing.

I have to pay for this repair out of my pocket. I've taken it to Ford and a Transmission shop. Because it throws no code, I'm getting no help so far.

I've been a ford buyer for 40 plus years. But am really thinking my next Vehicle will be something else than a Ford. I'm getting the run around.

Update from Feb 17, 2019: This same Ford continues to jerk into gear. So I had it checked out. My truck was 4 1/2 quarts low on fluid. The Auto mechanic I took it to. Told me to take to Ford. Ford told me my rear drive line seal and transmission sleeve

needed to be replaced. When I got my truck back it was still leaking fluid. It was the front seal and transmission pump. All this cost 2100.00 dollars But, it is still once in a while the truck jerks into gear. One year ago I had my transmission reprogramed by ford but it didn't help. It continued to stick in gear and it broke my RPM arm into while sticking in gear.

- sandlandch, Tryon, US

problem #2

Mar 092016

F-150 4door 5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I buy F150 2012 4 door, it had 300000 miles on it. I got a newer truck so I won't have it in the shop. Its cost me 500 dollars to get it fixed. I believe Ford used cheap lead frame. They want so much money for their trucks,they should use better materials and extend the warranty longer. I am going to rethink buying Ford every again. I've been a Ford guy all of my life.

- edtitus, Fairmount, IN, US

problem #1

Feb 182016

F-150 XLT 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

shifted to 1st while traveling 65mph

Was traveling on freeway and had sudden loss of power which was followed by transmission shifting to 1st gear causing truck to go into skid due to rear tires locking up. Was able to get truck to shoulder and all electronics went blank (no miles or odometer). Was able to get truck off freeway and to garage. The code thrown by truck stated failure of speed output sensor. Getting changed out and hopefully never happens again as very dangerous.

- dbmn, Virginia, MN, US

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