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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,288 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 7 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #343

Jul 102013

F-150

  • 15,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 55 mph, the engine shuttered and the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, shut off, and restarted. The engine warning indicator illuminated and flickered occasionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (crossroads Ford in prince george, Virginia) who stated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure recurred and a popping noise was heard from the engine. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and noticed oil dripping from the engine. The low pressure oil warning indicator also illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (sheehy Ford in ashland, Virginia) where the technician found pieces of metal from the engine and diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine. The failure was not repaired per the contact's order, pending a discussion with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #342

May 202017

F-150

  • 75,000 miles
3.5 ecoboost engine 75,000 miles, engine noise on startup and check engine light registering a P0016 crankshaft/camshaft position sensor, and goes into "limp mode" with loss of power and poor acceleration. Dealership states this is a recognized issue with the timing chain and tsb 14-0194 addresses the issue. Dealership states this is a $ 1,500- $ 2,000 repair and is not covered by Ford. Timing chains should last longer than shock absorbers.

- Mark, IL, USA

problem #341

May 102017

F-150

  • 81,000 miles
The truck will automatically downshift by itself while driving. It is experiencing the exact same issue that is a part of recall 16V248000 but our specific VIN isn't a part of it at this time. It is not safe to drive as at any speed above 45 it downshifts.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #340

Jun 242016

F-150

  • 49,546 miles

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

Noticed small amount of coolant on the ground. Started to notice over the next couple days larger amounts of coolant after driving. Took truck into dealer and the water pump had already gone bad. Was under warranty so it was replaced for free.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #339

Apr 132017

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
Ecoboost engine in this model is known to have functioning problems when it warms up and you are on the highway at highway speeds. The truck will start to lose power and almost feel like it will stall at highway speeds. It is a known problem with Ford and well described on many auto forums on the web. I took my truck in and they are charging me for a "fix". this is a documented problem which Ford even has as an internal service bulletin about. I have never been charged by any other auto company when they come out with a service bulletin except for this company. More importantly I had to explain what is on the web about this to the service tech at the Ford dealership--like a patient explaining to his surgeon what the problem is and how to operate on him to fix it---very odd and concerning. Either way, it is very possible to get into an accident on the highway---and maybe it has already happened. My son primarily drives this vehicle and has been mentioning it to me for months. I passed it off as bad gas or the way he was driving. We had taken it to a Firestone dealer for an oil change and they recommended we take it to the dealer.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #338

Apr 102017

F-150

  • 40,000 miles
My 2012 F150 ecoboost 3.5 studders severely, hesitates, and will not accelerate when trying to pass on the highway. The dealer has bulletins addressing this. I have been told multiple repairs that now are not under warranty including cac cooler deflector, spark plugs, catalytic converter, cam phasers, timing belt, and many others. The truck started this problem and may now require the turbos be replaced. This is a very common problem with this motor and Ford is well aware of the issue. This defect should be covered by Ford.

- Temperance, MI, USA

problem #337

Dec 122016

F-150

  • 96,000 miles

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

When starting my 2012 F150 I turn the key and there is a delay and then it starts don't think that is right I get 15.6 miles per gal on my 3.5 eco-boost and kicking in the passing gear I loose power and eng. Light comes on 3 times this has happen all times I pull over and shut truck off and restart light goes out.

- Parkman, ME, USA

problem #336

Mar 232017

F-150

  • 85,600 miles
Already had timing belt replaced at 84,000 miles. Now at 85,600 miles I was on ramp merging onto hwy. When a blinking engine light came on, loss of power, and truck shook like crazy. I felt like it was a poltergeist. Took next exit off and came to a complete stop. Engine light went off and truck acted normally again. Damp conditions. Not liking all the complaints I have read and certainly not liking the sporatic unknown. I think I'll be trading this $50,000 lariat in for something else. Ford needs to react, that was a scary situation on the freeway with trucks bearing down on me.

- Hartford, WI, USA

problem #335

Jan 232017

F-150

  • 75,000 miles
The ses, service engine soon, light came on. I noticed my truck lacking power and taking longer to shift gears when accelerating. It become less of a smooth shift and more jerky. When traveling on the highway at ~70 mph, the engine would not hold 6th gear. It would drop to 5th and 4th gear, until I gave it more gas. It would reach 3500 RPM's at times before shifting which was not normal. I also noticed starting in the fall of 2016 a short loud abnormal noise at cold start. After researching these issues, this led me to tsb 14-0194, code P0016, dealing with the 3.5L ecoboost engine. I took my truck to my local dealer and this was the issue. I have been the only owner of less than 5 years and was at 75,500 miles, out of the 60,000 mile warranty. I just had the repair done, costing me $3600. The repair included parts listed in tsb 14-0194 as well as timing belts, additional gaskets, seals, guides, tensioner, cam, sprocket, gear crankshaft, among others. I question how this known issue of timing chain stretch with the tsb is not a recall. This problem can cause an accident when accelerating on to a freeway. It can also cause an accident by suddenly downshifting while driving. I am glad my truck is fixed, however did not like the price tag. I fear that this known issue will lead to a deathly accident and it is unfortunate that a recall has not been issued yet. I hope this post helps make a change, saving consumers a costly repair and even someones life from a future accident.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #334

Sep 032012

F-150

  • miles
After my Ford F150 with the eco-boost engine is out in the rain, when I accelerate on the road the truck sputters and shakes and there is a lose of power. This has happened since I bought the truck new.

- Woodbine, MD, USA

problem #333

Feb 202017

F-150

  • 55,000 miles

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

I have a 2012 Ford F150 ecoboost. Recently my family was out of town trying to make our way home when my truck shutters and lost power for a minute, followed by a blinking check engine light and then a solid check engine light. I took it into my local dealership and was told I need to replace spark plugs and coil packs, and it would cost over $500. I was amazed by this considering the truck only has 55,000 miles on it and it is recommended by Ford to replace spark plugs at 100,000 miles. To add to my amazement, my fairly expensive extended warranty didn't cover this, not even the coil pack replacement, which to me seems like a warranty issue considering they went bad so early into the engines life. I know this is a common problem on these trucks and have read extensively on the issue. How is this not something that is being addressed?

- Dickinson, ND, USA

problem #332

Jan 142017

F-150

  • 69,500 miles
During medium to heavy acceleration, the engine starts shuddering and vibrating..if you let off the gas, it calms down a little but still runs rough until you come to a stop. Then at idle, it seems to correct itself. If you continue to accelerate through the vibration, it shakes and shudders more violently and doesn't quit until you come to a stop. It appears Ford has issued a tsb for this issue but will only cover the cost if it is still under warranty.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

problem #331

Dec 222016

F-150 6-cyl

  • 54,200 miles
While driving on the highway I experienced severe reduced engine power during a hard acceleration for an attempted pass. Upon completion of a diagnostic, I was told there was a misfire in cylinders 1-3. the technician informed us the circumstances and results were hallmark for a known condition related to moisture accumulation in the charge air cooler (cac) for turbochargers in 3.5L ecoboost engines of my model year. The vehicle had just over 54K miles on it at the time of the incident (typical mileage for the problem to manifest). The vehicle was maintenanced one week after the incident at the dealership I purchased it new from. The dealership cited the cause of the misfire as bad coil packs - 4 of them at the time of arrival. Coil packs typically have a lifespan of 100-150K miles before failure. However, 4 of them went bad (3 simultaneously) in a vehicle with <55K miles on it. Literature posted about others/similar situations read the same - bad coil packs, due to ingestion of water into the turbo. An issue Ford was aware would happen without the deflector plate due to design flaw! no alert to the owners that it was a potential concern, bring the vehicle in for a check - no word at all! if there was a known problem with their turbo design leading to compounding premature failure, why wouldn't they let the owners know" the dealership would have had ample opportunity to inform me of the issue if that was their intention as I visit regularly. The call center rep said they don't have to tell us anything unless there is a recall. So basically they manufacture dangerous/problematic vehicles until NHTSA slaps their hand about it!" I surely hope everyone who has this issue is reporting it to NHTSA but I doubt they know it is an option and Ford is profiting from having additional maintenance performed at their dealerships.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #330

Jan 142017

F-150

  • 68,000 miles
In warm weather the truck suddenly shakes and downshifts to first gear no matter what speed you are going. The speedometer stops working, a wrench is displayed on dash sometimes. The speed after doing this does not exceed 20-25 mph. If we can safely get to the shoulder of the road and turn truck off and restart it everything resets. This happens atleast once daily, sometimes more than once daily. It always happens when truck is in motion. It does not matter what speed as it has happens at different speeds and on one occasion when I was in the process of stopping for a red light. The last occurrence happened today, but it has been happening for several months. When it is cold outside it does happen less, maybe once weekly instead of multiple times daily when the weather is warm outside.

- Branch, LA, USA

problem #329

Jan 012017

F-150

  • 61,000 miles
Under aceleration in heavy traffic in damp weather conditions, truck engine misfired and totally stalled-out causing major traffic jam. Has happened twice. Engine acted as if there was water in the fuel system.... has misfired several times in damp or wet highway conditions.

- Grayson, KY, USA

problem #328

Nov 222016

F-150

  • 1 miles
The vehicle was purchased used from a dealership with 95,000 miles. At 115,000 miles the vehicle exhibited a rattling sound at startup and was taken to a mechanic. The mechanic noted the problem was with the tming chain and Ford had issued tsb 14-0194. He advised it should be addressed by a Ford dealer. The Ford dealer inspected and agreed with the diagnosis, primary timing chain wear, and provided an estimate of $2,200 for the repairs. Shocked by the need for a major engine repair at this mileage, a complaint was issued to Ford Corp. They responded through the dealership offering nothing. The dealership's service consultant noted the vehicles service records indicate the timing chain had already been replaced under warranty. Further research indicates this is a common and recurring problem for this model year. I expect a recall to be issued.

- Cedar Grove, WI, USA

problem #327

Nov 232016

F-150

  • 71,100 miles
The truck suddenly decelerated and a warning light came on. The first time I was on a residential street and went from 25 to 2 mph w/O any other traffic. The second time it was on a state highway and we went from 45 to 2 mph with traffic behind us. The dealer said the throttle body needed to be replaced because of a bad sensor. This is apparently a known issue on 2015/2016 model years, but not on 2012's. the dealer said it is the same problem and Ford has recalled newer trucks because of it.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #326

Oct 142016

F-150

  • 51,853 miles
In heavy rain conditions after driving for 2 hours in the pacific northwest on the I-5 the truck ecoboost turbo stalled and lost power during a passing situation of a large 18 wheeler. I was driving at 60 mph, and attempted a pass, but was unable to pass due to power loss, shudder, and limp mode. Intermittent check engine light and partial limp mode occurred. This is the known stall/shudder issue that multiple ecoboost motors on F150S are experiencing in rainy damp conditions. Severe safety issue if you are trying to pass on a two lane highway and you lose power while trying to pass a logging truck and someone follows you and you get only half way. This is the second incident I have had with this truck. Dealer did a tsb that involved reprogramming the PCM and removing a deflector shield. This fix seems like a band aid, and Ford should be doing a complete redesign of the turbo cooler intake.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

problem #325

Sep 292013

F-150

  • 15,352 miles
In heavy rain conditions after driving for 2 hours in the pacific northwest here in the state of Washington, the truck ecoboost turbo stalled and lost power during an acceleration onto a freeway on ramp. Intermittent check engine light and partial limp mode occurred. Dealer misdiagnosed the problem as a loose connection when in fact it was the known stall/shudder issue that multiple ecoboost motors on F150S are experiencing in rainy damp conditions. Severe safety issue if you are trying to pass on a two lane highway and you lose power while trying to pass.

- Gig Harbor, WA, USA

problem #324

Nov 042016

F-150

  • 30,000 miles
On Friday November 4/2016 at approximately 2:00 pm I was traveling West bound on highway 401 in my 2012 Ford pick up (vin1ftfx1cfocfc04553) towing a boat when my truck lost all power and stalled. It was all I could do to safely get my vehicle to the shoulder and this was only due to the fact that I was traveling in the right lane at the time. I did not feel safe on the side of the road where I was and tried several times to start the truck and drive up the road to an off ramp to exit the highway but the truck would only start and immediately stall. Apparently, a very tiny spider had been pulled into the mass air sensor and this somehow killed my truck and almost me.how does Ford allow a sensor like this to completely shut down a vehicle and what is or has Ford done about such a obvious dangerous safety issue here that can clearly cause serious injury or death?

- Florida, FL, USA

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