2012 Ford F-150 problems: complaints and recalls

The 2012 Ford F-150 has 1,717 complaints and 4 recalls on file as of 2026-10-16. This page shows which systems the complaints name, how many report a crash or fire, and every recall with what it says.

Complaint figures come from NHTSA's complaints database, downloaded on 2026-10-16.

At a glance

Measure	2012 F-150
Complaints on file	1,717
Filed within three years of the model year	541
Complaints reporting a crash	37
Complaints reporting a fire	14
Complaints reporting an injury	20
Deaths reported in complaints	2
Recalls	4

It ranks 5th of the 12 model years on this site by total complaints and 5th by complaints filed in the first three years. Older trucks have had longer to collect complaints, which is why the first-three-years count is shown next to the total.

Which systems the complaints name

Power train leads with 642 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine (473) and steering (197). A complaint can name more than one system, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

System	Complaints	Share of all complaints
Power train	642	37%
Engine	473	28%
Steering	197	11%
Vehicle speed control	188	11%
Electrical system	163	9%
Service brakes	136	8%
Unknown or other	108	6%
Visibility/wiper	95	6%

"Unknown or other" means the complaint was not filed under a specific system.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Ford F-150.

Reported	Campaign	Component	What the recall says
2019-02-11	19V075000	Power train: 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. Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2016-04-27	16V248000	Power train: 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. An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012-05-03	12V198000	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. A FAILURE TO DEPLOY, FAILURE TO DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR A DEPLOYMENT WHEN NOT INTENDED, INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT.
2012-05-03	12V190000	Power train: 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. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE R POSITION AND THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE R MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Some recalls cover only certain engines, cab styles or build dates, so match each one to the truck in front of you before you count it against the truck.

Before you buy a 2012 F-150

Run the truck's VIN through the federal recall lookup. A recall is only closed when the repair is done on that truck, so ask the seller for the paperwork.
Read the recalls above against the engine and options on the truck you are looking at.
Treat complaints as a list of what to ask about and test-drive for, not as a failure rate. See the method page for what the numbers can and cannot tell you.
Compare the neighbours: 2011 and 2013, or see all 12 years side by side.

Sources

F-150 REGULAR CAB, F-150 SUPERCAB, F-150 SUPER CREW: complaint records for 2012 (JSON). The set shown above is these combined, each complaint counted once.
F-150 recall records for 2012 (JSON).