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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,062 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Ford F-150 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 6 of 29)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #480

Jan 282022

F-150

  • miles

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

My truck has been experiencing sudden downshifting. I took it to the dealership in June of 2021 and mentioned the CSB 19N01, they said because there was no codes stored that were related to this problem they couldnt replace the leadframe, but said they would reprogram the PCM, this did nothing.Yesterday my transmission slammed really hard and check engine light came on. Code P0501 (VSS vehicle speed sensor) Truck was built in 5/2012 which means it is still within the CSB guideline of 10 years 150000 miles. Just because the error code isnt the one that is on the checklist that they use to determine if it qualifies for the CSB doesnt mean the problem isnt there. I have about 3 months before my 10 year extension is up, This needs to be repaired asap. Thank you

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #479

Dec 292021

F-150

  • miles
I have a 2012 F-150 that has a recall under 16N02, it has happened more and more frequently where the transmission will die and go into a sort of "limp mode" and will not shift out of first gear. Will show a wrench and engine codes on the instrument cluster. I have now taken it into my local ford dealership where they said they cannot find any codes nor will they fix the said recall unless the transmission actually fails. I talked to a service tech and manager and they both told me that there was nothing they can do and of course my warranty and recall warranty ends December 31st. They told me at first on the phone that they wouldn't cover it anyways for the simple fact that they couldn't get me in till February and my warranty would be over by that point. I made a big enough fuss and they allowed me to bring it today only to be told there was nothing they could do and I was told to leave with my truck. I find this very hard to believe and am at a loss of words.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #478

Dec 092021

F-150

  • miles
Ford is aware these trucks have a problem with their transmissions and are making repairs extremely difficult for me. I am very lucky not to have been in an accident in this truck as it will get stuck in gear when turning out into a busy highway because of their transmissions sensor and lead frame issues. The government has addressed this issue to some degree, but Ford has already once refused the repair because they couldn't replicate the problem. I almost got into a severe accident last week because of the problem they know the trucks have. These trucks should be fixed correctly and people on the road shouldn't have to worry about getting people severely injured or killed over a problem with their 6r80 transmissions that should have been fixed. Please do what you can to help Ford do the right thing and get these repaired quickly.

- Long Beach, MS, USA

problem #477

Dec 102021

F-150

  • miles

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

Wrench light comes on and down shifts without warning. Very scary when on the highway at 70mph

- Grantville , PA, USA

problem #476

Nov 012021

F-150

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his son was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle downshifted independently. The contact stated that the power train warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and restart the vehicle however, the vehicle continued to experience failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Excelsior, MN, USA

problem #475

Jul 062021

F-150

  • 156,543 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact-??s husband stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted from 6th to 3rd gear. The contact stated that the power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and diagnosed with needing the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 156,543.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #474

Mar 182019

F-150

  • 99,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train) and had the software reprogrammed. Upon return of the vehicle, the contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently downshifted while driving at various speeds. The service engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer and the manufacturer had been notified of the failure and informed him that the parts to repair the vehicle were on backorder. The contact stated that due to the parts not being available, the failure had worsened. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000

- Fallon, NV, USA

problem #473

Oct 232021

F-150

  • miles
Driving all of a sudden engine will downshift.

- Duanesburg , NY, USA

problem #472

Oct 092021

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle shut off while driving approx 30 mph making a slight right hand turn. Thus losing all throttle, power steering and power brakes. Vehicle error message is low oil pressure but oil level is checked out to be good. Based on online research the culprit is an overheated fuel pump fuse and a very common issue.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #471

Oct 032021

F-150

  • miles
Anytime I idle/ idle low/ slow down the vehicle shuts off! In intersections, drive-thru's, stop signs. Then it gives me a low oil pressure warning.

- Blackshear, GA, USA

problem #470

Oct 012021

F-150

  • miles

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

While driving at approximately 60mph my vehicle shifted into first gear and aggressively skidded into oncoming traffic with my wife and two daughters in the truck. After regaining control, I drove it to my residence where the issue was repeated two times at slower speeds. After calling my local Ford dealership, they stated that there were two open recalls relating to the issue, 19S07 relating to the PCM and 19N01 relating to the leadframe. Apparently the two issues have resulted in many crashes and multiple fatalities. 19S01 was completed on my vehicle in 2019, however they did not mention or fix the leadframe issues in 19N01 despite it already being an open recall with national attention. I did not receive a recall letter or notification despite the serious nature of the issue. While I was within the warranty window for the leadframe at the time of service for the first recall, I have recently driven past 150,000 miles. The same Ford dealership stated that while the two recalls would apply, they were under a 10 year 150,000 mile warranty. I am within 10 years, but at 163,000 miles. After discussions with my dealership and two customer service representatives at your call center, I am extremely disappointed to hear that this known safety issue will not be fixed on a 9 year old vehicle because I am 10,000 miles outside of your warranty issue.

- Goldsboro, NC, USA

problem #469

Jun 272021

F-150

  • miles
Was driving on the highway when all of a sudden the wrench icon on my dash came up, airbag light, and my speedometer dropped to 0. My truck also dropped a gear and slowed down so much that I was almost rear ended by a semi truck. I took it to my dealer to see if there was a recall but apparently the recall for the lead frame, expired for my truck. I personally think that there should be no expiration on this recall because it's a safety issue and someone could get hurt or killed because Ford doesn't wanna take care of their mistake.

- Georgetown, SC, USA

problem #468

Jul 222021

F-150

  • miles
On July 22, 2021 I was traveling at approximately 45 mph on a three lane divided highway when the automatic transmission shifted from 6th gear to 1st gear, locking the rear wheels and initiating a skid. Moments later the transmission shifted back to 6th causing a loud bang and severe jolt to the vehicle and propelling it forward. The wrench light came on and the speedometer dropped to zero (even thought the vehicle was moving forward) and the passenger airbag lights came on. I was able to avoid colliding with the vehicles around me and was able to pull off the road and turn the vehicle off, but it was a near-miss and could have caused a major traffic accident. I took the vehicle into the local Ford dealer for repair and was notified that the vehicle is subject to a "Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01". The notification letter is attached and ignores any risk to driver safety and consequently Ford downplay the entire event. In addition, the repair is likely to take at least to the end of August because the required parts are on back order. Ford do not seem to care that this is a safety problem and are unwilling to help with either identifying spare parts or providing a back-up vehicle (rental or loaner).

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #467

Jul 232021

F-150

  • 149,750 miles
The contact's son owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her son was driving 65 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The brakes locked up causing the vehicle to slide on the road. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact's son to drive the vehicle until the scheduled appointment. The dealer later informed the contact's son that the mileage was over the 150,000 miles warranty coverage and the repair would not be covered. The contact stated that when the failure first occurred, the mileage was below the 150,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would callback within 24 to 48 hours. The failure mileage was 149,750.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #466

Jul 202021

F-150

  • miles
Dear sir /madam the other day i was driving out of the drive thru wrench came on no mileage, no display no speed. tach went to 5000 rpm like i down shifted and going 5 mph. i stopped by a transmission shop today the guy [XXX] said it's a common problem. He said call ford customer service 1-866-436-7332 i put the recall info in on my cell (recall no# 19S07) this to me is a serious problem with the programing of the speed control please just listen to the message. Can loose control cause a accident bring truck in asap! Question why hasn't ford notified us of the down shiffting problem until i get rear ended? i will set up service to re-program and look at the conductor plate which i was told it is plastic. thank you [XXX] [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #465

Jul 212021

F-150

  • miles
After starting the vehicle and putting it into drive, the vehicle would not shift out of 1st gear. RPS revved nearly to red-line and even when I removed my foot from the gas pedal, the revs remained high. Even when underway, the speedometer registered 0 MPH and the odometer was showing only dashes "-------------". After a short time, the wrench symbol appeared on the display and the airbag warning icon was illuminated. I pulled over and turned the truck off and back on and it operated normally. No error codes were stored and my service shop will not work on it since it is not happening all the time. On a different occasion about a week ago, I was driving up a residential street incline and the truck was not shifting from 2nd gear. I pressed the accelerator more and all of sudden the truck shifted extremely rough jerking myself and my passenger unsafely. After this the truck stuck in gear, displayed the wrench symbol and illuminated the air bag warning icon. This looks to be highly related to Ford Safety Recall 19S07 but my truck is not covered by this recall.

- Kenmore, WA, USA

problem #464

Jul 012020

F-150

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of an NHTSA campaign number regarding the Power Train, possibly NHTSA campaign number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and had the recall remedy completed. The contact stated shortly after the vehicle was serviced while driving 50 mph, the vehicle downshifted independently. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact shifted to neutral and back to drive before driving back to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the lead frame to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Shickshinny, PA, USA

problem #463

Jun 252021

F-150

  • miles
Had recall completed on my vehicle back about a year ago but vehicle is now doing the same thing it was again dropping into first gear which causes major problems CV joint is going bad because of the sudden stop Betty shaft what bothers me is I've already had three called done and it's happening again my concerns are now that my transmission is older what's dresses and putting on my transmission I have my transmission serviced are you 50 to 60 thousand miles oil changes regularly

- Palm Springs , FL, USA

problem #462

May 212021

F-150

  • miles
Transmission lead frame failure multiple times. Milage past the 180k so dealership would not repair defective part under previous 6SR80 recall. Paid out of pocket for known defective Ford part.

- Waller , TX, USA

problem #461

May 012021

F-150

  • 140,000 miles
Open recall has not been fixed.

- Midland, TX, USA

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