2012 Ford F-150 Reliability
The 2012 Ford F-150 has 1,717 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine. Compared with other F-150 model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the F-150's typical year, while the 2010 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
1,717
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
37
Complaints citing a crash
14
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Ford F-150 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2012 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 642 | 37% |
| Engine | 473 | 28% |
| Steering | 197 | 11% |
| Speed control / throttle | 188 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 163 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 136 | 8% |
| Visibility / wipers | 129 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 108 | 6% |
2012 Ford F-150 recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12V198000 | May 3, 2012 | Air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive | Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 F-150 vehicles manufactured from November 6, 2011, through November 15, 2011. Incorrect software for the occupant classification system module (ocsm) was installed on the vehicles either at the time of manufacturing… |
| 12V190000 | May 3, 2012 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission / control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 expedition and lincoln navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "transmission shift lever… |
| 16V248000 | Apr 27, 2016 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to… |
| 19V075000 | Feb 11, 2019 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission / control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. |
How the 2012 compares with nearby F-150 years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year F-150 analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 851 | 1 | Visibility / wipers | Better year |
| 2011 | 2,137 | 6 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2012 (this page) | 1,717 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Caution |
| 2013 | 2,796 | 3 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2014 | 1,362 | 8 | Powertrain / transmission | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Ford F-150
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Ford F-150 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Ford F-150 reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Ford F-150 reliable?
The 2012 Ford F-150 has 1,717 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and engine. Compared with other F-150 model years, it rates as a caution year: complaints run above the F-150's typical year, while the 2010 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2012 Ford F-150 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Ford F-150 are powertrain / transmission (642), engine (473), steering (197), speed control / throttle (188). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Ford F-150 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford F-150, including 12V198000 (air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive) and 12V190000 (powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission / control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Ford F-150 compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 2,137 complaints and 6 recalls (avoid); the 2013 has 2,796 complaints and 3 recalls (avoid). The 2012 has 1,717 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Ford F-150?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Ford F-150 research
Other Ford F-150 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 F-150, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.