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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,416 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Ford F-150 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #413

Jun 252019

F-150

  • 117,000 miles

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

I am the third owner of this vehicle. We purchased vehicle with around 114,000 miles. Within a week and a half, the engine started knocking while driving/engine running. Upon further review, the engine needed replaced. Due to the fact we do not know previous owner(s), unsure if it was a maintenance issue or a manufacturer issues. Mechanic could not be definitive.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #412

Oct 172019

F-150

  • 65,000 miles
Low oil pressure light comes on and truck shuts down, low oil pressure sensor replaced but problem still exist, vehicle was in motion when this happens, it happened 4 times in 2 months

- Holbrook, MA, USA

problem #411

May 162019

F-150

  • 105,000 miles
I took my 2012 F-150 to byers Ford in Delaware, oh. They were to perform the 19S07 recall. They said they did it. After leaving the dealership I noticed immediately that the truck shifts very quickly into first and the brakes felt different. Then since I have put 4 bottles of coolant in it in less than 3 months. Overheating frequently after only 15-20 minutes of driving. Then the breaks don't work half the time and the light comes on service brakes, I have them checked by Ford they say nothing wrong with them. Now the truck shakes, overheating frequently, brakes work part of the time, where is the coolant going" no liquids on the ground under the truck but it smells burnt and wet in the tailpipe. Now byers Ford is saying that it is just due to 2 more recalls, one being the vacuum pump and the other is the transmission module, but they say it should be okay to drive, they can't get me a rental car and they can't get me in until October 9th but they say to just keep driving it with my breaks barely working half the time because of the vacuum pump and it overheating almost every time I drive it, having to fill it up with coolant, loss of power, sluggish, many random computer issues it seems but they say to drive it" my engine and transmission both overheat and major is I have no breaks half the time, it seems like this should be a safety concern but they don't seem to care or want to make it right and address all the issues that the first recall created. The truck had no problems before the recall and now a big mess that is about to blow up that now has 2 more additional recalls because of the first one.

- Ostrander, OH, USA

problem #410

Sep 152017

F-150

  • 61,000 miles

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

Upon cold startup my truck makes a terrible rattling noise for 2-5 seconds. Their is a current tsb out to fix this issue from Ford to replace primary chain and all 4 phasers. This only gets fixed under new vehicle limited warranty, which my truck is out of. Ford acknowledges there is a problem, but unwilling to issue a recall and fix this issue for the many people it is affecting.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #409

Feb 122018

F-150

  • 75,000 miles
Vacuum pump runs excessively and is noisy. This is already a known condition to fomoco. They advise my vehicle is not covered under covered U der customer satisfaction extended service bulletin. Https://Ford.oemdtc.com/1760/15N05-electric-vacuum-pump-extended-coverage-2011-2012-Ford-F-150 Ford reference # cas-24279039-D5H0K6

- Evans, WV, USA

problem #408

Jan 012018

F-150

  • 142,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle stalled and the brakes seized. The contact also mentioned that the low oil pressure indicator illuminated when the failure occurred. When the vehicle was restarted, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to classic Ford galveston (7700 broadway St, galveston, tx 77554, (409) 744-5711) where the oil level was checked. The contact was informed that the oil level was fine and the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.

- Galveston, TX, USA

problem #407

Jun 052019

F-150

  • 152,000 miles

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

While driving at 60mph the transmission shifted into first without warning, causing a sudden loss of control of the vehicle almost causing multiple accidents as I was in the middle of rush hour traffic. The sudden down shift over spun the motor, resulting in a lower engine knock which a certified Ford technician believes is the result of a bearing failure. Even though the technician performed a cylinder leakage test in which no indication of valve interference was identified, the Ford engineer he was dealing with said he had seen this issue before! this is the same recall issue that has caused multiple accidents! there are dozens of blog posts where this issue has caused, at the very least, multiple trips to the dealerships and in rare cases (not including mine), engine failure. I have calculated the engines RPM's using the formula: Axle ratio X vehicle speed X transmission ratio X 336.13) / tire diameter = engine speed. At the time of the incident, the engine's RPM's were at an estimated 9,074 RPM's [(3.55 X 60mph X 4.17 X 336.13)/32.9]. the tachometer only goes to 7,000 RPM's! there are two recalls (19N01 and 19S07) that can cause intermittent shifting into first. The day before the incident, I went to the local Ford dealership and was told they couldn't get me in for recall fixes because they needed to "take care of their paying customers first." I have talked with four different Ford customer service representatives, the answer has been the same; "there is nothing Ford Motor Company can do for you at this time." I feel Ford has been very neglectful in taking responsibility of this issue, not only for myself but the countless other people that have had similar problems.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #406

Jul 152019

F-150

  • 120,066 miles
Secondary timing chain link came apart soon after I bought the truck in 2015 at 66,000 miles my warranty paid for it. Now it is happening again but on the other side of the engine. 2 time chain links fall apart. Ford is not paying for this because my warranty was up 2 months ago and it is not a pre certified truck, miles are 120,066 miles. 2 timing chain links break in 4 years"??????" the technicians at santa maria Ford said they have never seen anything like this before. Ford is denying to pay for this repair!!!!!!!

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #405

Jul 192019

F-150

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the engine stalled while driving over 70 mph. The contact heard a beep sound and the low oil pressure indicator illuminated when the failure occurred. The failure was experienced several times. The contact was able to move the vehicle onto the road shoulder, restart the engine, and drive to david wilson's villa Ford (2550 North tustin street, orange, ca 92865, (714)-509-5615). The dealer performed a diagnostic test that located failure code: 27 (fuel pump). The dealer stated that the fuel pump fuse was located in an area that caused the fuse to overheat. The dealer relocated the fuel pump fuse to another area that would not cause the fuel pump fuse to overheat. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #404

Jul 102019

F-150

  • 98,264 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate past 25 mph. The contact had to move the vehicle over to the side of the road because it continued to decelerate. When the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to mac haik Ford (515 I-35E, desoto, tx 75115, (972) 223-8050) where it was diagnosed that an update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,264.

- Desota, TX, USA

problem #403

Jun 162019

F-150

  • 87,000 miles

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

On at least 6 occasions, truck misfires and shakes violently when under load or attempting to accelerate. Pull off road or let off of accelerator and engine resumes normal operation. Happened once pulling empty trailer, happened 4 times merging onto interstate. Happened multiple times passing / accelerating on interstate. Frightening and dangerous when truck shakes violently on interstate. Roads were wet or rainy conditions in last 5 incidents. 2012 F150 FX4 with only 87000 miles. No accidents. Truck maintained and in excellent condition.

- Corbin, KY, USA

problem #402

May 142019

F-150

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19V075000 (power train). The vehicle was taken to william mizell Ford (located at 330 us-25, waynesboro, ga 30830, (706) 554-2114) where the recall repair was performed. As soon as the contact left the dealer, the transmission started to jump when downshifting, and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and test driven, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that he was not aware of the diagnostic testing, but was informed that he would need to drive the vehicle for a while for it to drive normally. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Millen, GA, USA

problem #401

Oct 172015

F-150

  • 40,000 miles
Tsb 15-0131 timing chain stretches and makes a loud rattle upon starting and eventually leads to loss of power and engine damage. The known cause of this is all the phasers, the intake and exhaust phasers. This is my main concern. Everyone I know who owns this vehicle has this problem. The other complaint is that I get 14 mpg.

- Freeport, PA, USA

problem #400

May 072019

F-150 6-cyl

  • 113,400 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was serviced under an unknown NHTSA campaign at janell Ford of hanover (2000 Washington St, hanover, MA 02339 (781) 982-4500) and also diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new vacuum pump installed. The vehicle was repaired 3 years ago, however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the check engine warning light remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

- Rockland, ME, USA

problem #399

May 032019

F-150

  • 87,145 miles
I was driving on sr 71 North of columbus Ohio in the rain when I changed lanes and tried to accelerate but the engine just started shaking and my engine light started flashing. The truck would not accelerate and started to slow down. I managed to get out of traffic and got off the highway. After sitting a few minutes I tried to get back on the highway. When I tried to accelerate the truck started shaking and would not accelerate. After a 3rd attempt the truck finally got up to speed and I made it home. My engine light is still on. I began to read forums on the Ford F150 FX4 and discovered many many people are having this problem with moisture and the intercooler system.. I could've died today. This needs to be made right by Ford Motor Company. (xxxx) 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).

- Bucyrus, OH, USA

problem #398

Feb 012019

F-150

  • 97,000 miles
When starting truck when hasn't been driven for several hours engine makes a loud growling noise for about 5 seconds before sounding normal. It had done it occasionally before 02/2019 but now does it daily. Some research on other forums that it is the tensioner on the timing belt. Truck with this low mileage should not be having these issues. Any input?

- St. Rose, LA, USA

problem #397

Apr 262019

F-150

  • 85,000 miles
Engine kills won't start due to fuse #27 blown

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #396

Jul 122016

F-150

  • 52,905 miles
A ticking/knocking noise on passenger side of engine. Took to Ford dealer with 52,905 miles on 7/12/16 and stated fuel injector noise. Took to same Ford dealer on 11/7/18 for same noise, only louder, and dealer detected no unusual noise. Took to different dealer a 3rd time on 3/27/19 for the same problem and stated "noise found to be normal characteristics" and was given a copy of "special service message 47787 which addressed a "tick tap and/or typewriter noise at idle" issue. This problem was brought to the attention of Ford while it was still under manufactures warranty and the sound is only getting worse which is why I keep taking it to a Ford dealership. The sound is not heard when the vehicle is first started, only when it starts to warm up and is quite loud at an idle. If this engine were to blow up going down the highway or interstate could potentially cause an accident resulting in injury and/or fatal crash.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #395

Jan 012019

F-150

  • 45,000 miles
I bought it with @ 10,000 miles on the odometer. I have had nothing but [xxx] with it from day one. First off I put two new front rotors and brake pads all the way around and both idler pulleys were squealing so I replaced them. Then at @ 19,000 miles I had to replace both cvj half shafts. Now at 45,000 miles they are both shot again the cvj half shafts are. On the first of January this year I was driving down the road and the vehicle was running good suddenly it began to cut out and the power fell off on its face. I purchased an obd11 code reader to try and diagnose the problem. It tells me that random misfire detected and that cylinders 5 6 7 8 are misfiring. Let me just say that 4 months later after going thru everything from the plugs wires injectors and replacing the fuel pump module assembly it is still not running and I'm at my end of trying to get the peice of $*** running. There is no way in [xxx] at 45,000 miles on the vehicle that I should be having all the [xxx] with the vehicle. I live in New Mexico and we do have a lemon law here. I am beyond the shadow of a doubt sure that this truck is a [xxx] lemon. 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).

- Farmington, NM, USA

problem #394

Jul 192018

F-150

  • 82,254 miles
My timing chain on my F1 50 was stretched and I paid over $8000 to have it fixed and here it is not even a year later and it is stretched again. With all of the supposedly new and updated parts Ford obviously doesn't care about what vehicles we buy because they clearly don't want us to buy theirs since I don't want to fix this problem the right way!

- Lumberton, TX, USA

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