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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,747 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 1 of 10)

problem #182

Jun 092024

F-150

  • miles

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

Transmission lead frame module needs replacement. Truck will not shift properly and the wrench light illuminated on dash; I took it for an assessment and it was determined that the lead frame module was bad. I found a safety recall for the lead frame module for my truck for which I never received any correspondence about and would like to have it investigated.

- Channelview, TX, USA

problem #181

Jun 182024

F-150

  • miles
My truck would shift gears and I would feel a kick. Then the speedometer would drop, and the airbag sensors would turn off. At times the dealership states it is an issue with the Transmission Lead Frame.

- Asbury, NJ, USA

problem #180

Apr 272024

F-150

  • miles
Truck down shifts randomly while driving and does not shift when it is supposed to on take off the RPMs go up 3 something. You can stop turn truck off and it starts to work again for 1 or 2 take offs then does it again.

- Granger, TX, USA

problem #179

Dec 212023

F-150

  • miles

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

Speed control/transmission goes out while driving which results in my speedometer dropping down to zero and my RPMs going up. I have to completely shut my vehicle iff and wait a moment to restart it. Sometimes it fixes it and sometimes it doesn-??t. It happens quite often, not everyday but several times a week.

- Ft. Campbell, KY, USA

problem #178

Sep 152023

F-150

  • miles
The wrench light on the dashboard comes on I loose all speedometer readings and mpg. The transmission will not go ro 6th gear or down shift past third gear the transmission also jerks and rpms go up really high. This occurs going down the interstate or anywhere really if I turn the truck of and restart it the warnings will go away but later come back

- Lebanon, MO, USA

problem #177

Sep 272023

F-150

  • miles
While driving down the highway, a wrench appeared on the display, then the speedometer went down to zero and the truck wasn-??t shifting or accelerating. I took it to the Ford dealership and the diagnosed it as an issue with the Leadframe sensor assembly. They also let me know this is a known issue and there was an extended warranty program that my vehicle is over mileage for. The repair cost estimate was $800 for parts/labor. They also stated that the part is on back order and may be a month before they could get it. When I asked about driving with the issue they said it won-??t do damage to my transmission but may intermittently cause shifting issues and could result in loss of reverse. I don-??t feel comfortable driving it like that but it is my only vehicle. I also contact Ford customer care directly but there was nothing they could do to assist and pointed me here.

- Mountain Grove, MO, USA

problem #176

Aug 282023

F-150

  • miles

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

Transmission downshifts during normal driving conditions on highway. There is a recall for this defect. Recall #1901(transmission). Called Ford on 9.6.23 and spoke to employee #219738 and Ford refused to correct known defects.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #175

Sep 202018

F-150

  • miles
I was driving at approximately 30 mph when the transmission's OSS (Output Speed sensor) suddenly malfunctioned, causing an unexpected downshift into first gear. This abrupt shift led to a loss of control, resulting in a harrowing collision with a tree. What I witnessed next is etched into my memory forever: a scene of blood, fluorescent white bone fragments, and shattered glass strewn all around. Bones were even protruding through my skin at various locations, including my wrists, forearms, legs, and ankles, not to mention the dislocated shoulders. Thankfully, there were no other individuals present at the scene; otherwise, the outcome could have been equally disastrous, if not fatal, for them. Astonishingly, there were no discernible warning signs such as unusual sounds or dashboard warning lights prior to this incident. Following the accident, my pickup truck was towed to Cedar Park Wrecker, only to be swiftly claimed by the insurance company and subsequently sent to auction within a matter of days.

- Pflugerville, Tx, TX, USA

problem #174

Jun 142023

F-150

  • miles
Driving on freeway and truck downshifted and almost control, orange wrench was on display, speedometer stopped working and I could barley get to 30 mph...finally was able to pull off freeway...turned -off...waited and turned back on...engine light was on...it drove alright for alittle bit, than it downshifted to first and would shift had to pull over and shut it down again and restart...made it home...next day took to AUTO ZONE...Code reads P0720 OSS SENSOR FAULT...Ford had a SAFETY RECALL19S07 for trucks 2011-2013...I did not receive any letter for that or the Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01...same issue and cannot drive my truck, it is unsafe...had to drop-off at FORD Dealership to repair and update software on transmission...it should be repaired at no charge, having to pay for Rental.

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #173

Mar 202023

F-150

  • miles
Illuminated wrench light followed by malfunctioning speedometer, cruise control, & turn signal cancellation. Delayed and no gear shifting including an unexpected transmission downshift to 1st gear occurring at 40 mph: rear wheels locked up, engine revved to redline, had to put hazard flashers on and shut engine down in heavy moving traffic. Finally Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL); later reading P0720 code.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

problem #172

Mar 072023

F-150

  • 255,713 miles

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

After pogram the computer my tcm star failed..mi trasmicion gear shift stock so danger situation

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #171

Nov 012022

F-150

  • miles
The vehicle would down shift aggressively into first gear. The speedometer and gear displays would not function showing 0mph while driving. The vehicle would move through gears erratically. Driver and passengers would be jerked forward.The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Ford dealer. There were no indicator lights at the start of the issue. Indicator light appeared after multiple incidents spanning over a few months.

- Bucyrus, OH, USA

problem #170

Sep 152022

F-150

  • miles
I was running 65mph and my truck down shifted from 6th to 3rd. I called my dealer and they said they never heard of this problem so I called two more and can-??t get any answers. Glad no one was behind me.

- Columbus, KS, USA

problem #169

May 222022

F-150

  • miles
Vehicle shifts from a high gear to a low gear. While driving 60 miles an hour on the expressway my F150 went from six gear to first gear with no warning locking my rear wheels causing my speed to drastically or abruptly be lower almost causing several other vehicles to crash into the back of my pick up. Vehicle stays on gear sometimes first third or fifth gear with no warning switching back-and-forth. While making a stop at 0 mph vehicle stays at a high gear for example he could stay at third gear or fifth gear so they takeoff will be in third or fifth gear not in first gear. Also losing speedometer reading. This has happened multiple times while driving at low speed or high speed. I am concerned that this could cause accidents in the roads. Ford motor company corporate advised me that is an auto pocket fix sensor customer satisfaction program has expired for my vehicle. I never received notification of this issue while on my truck was within warranty. Ford Motor Company stated that they extended their coverage until 10,000 miles or 150,000 miles whichever comes first. My vehicle has 165,000 miles and he-??s 10 years old. I don-??t believe this is a normal Tear and water failure. This is a manufactures defective part that has happened in thousands of vehicles is not an isolated incident.

- Penitas, TX, USA

problem #168

Oct 212021

F-150

  • miles
1. Speed sensor failed 2. When driving, speedometer stops working and the truck slows down all of a sudden which could cause someone to rear end me. 3. Yes the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by independent service dealer 4. No the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than the independent service dealer 5. No warning lamps, etc prior to the failure

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #167

Oct 012021

F-150

  • miles
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 #166

Jul 292021

F-150

  • miles
When driving, vehicle will drop from 50 mph to 0, causing a sudden stop. Vehicle then will struggle to get out of first gear, and whine. Vehicle will not move in the speedometer, and will not shift past first gear.

- Garden City , KS, USA

problem #165

May 012021

F-150

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

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #164

Jan 182021

F-150

  • 113,250 miles
While driving (at any speed and from any gear) truck frequently, unpredictably exhibits following behavior: - speedometer need drops to zero regardless of actual speed. - truck loses proper shifting functionality. Event has occurred a dozen times or so since 12 December 2020, usually at speeds and gearing above third. Typical result is truck will not downshift below third gear, but on one occasion event occurred at a stop light, and gearing above first would not engage - odometer, trip meter, gas mileage and other digital information displays null out to dashes instead of showing numbers - a wrench symbol appears on right side of the digital display. Symbol sometimes remains for the duration of the event, and sometimes goes away. - sometimes the check engine light appears, sometimes not - airbag light illuminates if I turn the truck off, remove the key, and then re-start, the truck temporarily returns to normal function, with no indication event occurred (check engine light not on, etc). Truck operates normally until it happens again, often within minutes (or even moments) of the reset, but sometimes not again for the duration of a 20 or 25 minute trip. Truck is not safe to operate in this condition and I have now stopped driving it. I have been stuck at a red light on a grade with a load in the bed and traffic behind me, unable to move when the light changes, because first and second gear will not engage, and third gear lacks torque to get moving. Once, after accelerating from a stop, the event occurred and the truck was stuck in first gear, causing unsafe traffic condition (for me and others) while I attempted to pull over safely through traffic. In addition to photos submitted herewith, I have video clips showing occurrence at highway and at surface street speeds. Contact me if you want them.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #163

Dec 102020

F-150

  • 129,650 miles
While driving, either going 25 mph in a housing development or 75 mph on the interstate, the truck will sometimes shift gears, throw a wrench light, and the speedometer will read 0. there has been a recall for an issue similar to this for trucks between 2011 and 2013. Trucks not covered under this recall were given a feild service action for extended warranty. They know this is an issue to more vehicles than what they recalled. Owners were not notified of this field service action. Not only that, but this is very dangerous while going 75 mph on the interstate. This causes the truck to down shift, slow down, and you must pull over for safety on the interstate. A code will pop up as P0720 or P0721. Ford should be doing more since they know it is an issue, or they would not have extended the warranty. This is happening to many F-150 vehicles built in those date ranges.

- Coolidge, AZ, USA

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