2012 Ford F-150 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,784 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,212miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Ford F-150, 1% of the 1,784 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,212 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10970052, filed 2017-04, 96,000 miles“Started my truck around 9 pm and placed the transmission in reverse, had to back down a long straight parking lot, speeds of at least 15 MPH. Came to a complete stop, shifted the transmission into drive and pulled out onto a main road, hit the merge turn signal and heard nothing. I diddnt think much of it, thought I diddnt hit the turn signal arm hard enough. Turning onto main road and hit turn signal again, no sound. Looked at dashboard, everything is off, no back lighting and no gauge movement/lights at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #10861744, filed 2016-04, 53,212 miles“While driving at highway speed, I heard a pop and 'ding' sound before losing all electrical items - dash board, head lights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, etc., but the engine was still operating. I then felt a grinding noise and immediately exited the highway safely to park at a gas station. I turned off and removed the key but the engine was still running. I was only a few miles from a Ford dealership. I inserted the key, turned it to the on position and tried to put the truck into gear while depressing the brake. The transmission brake release would not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10509104, filed 2013-04, 4,700 miles“2012 Ford f150 stx auto lamps can not be turned on by dealerships, if they were not factory installed, even though factory wiring and proper parts, exists. Lights on with wipers , which is an available option with the auto lamp feature, is required by pennsylvania law, who must consider it a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10533005, filed 2013-08, 7,500 miles“When I was driving on the highway I was going about 65 mph in 6th gear and then without warning my 2012 Ford f150 3.5 truck shifted all the way down to 1st gear which almost caused me to wreck on the highway and other cars to almost slam into me. Now when I try to drive the truck it keeps throwing a wrench and the wrench blinks and my truck will not shift hardly at all between the gears. After I have researched this issue I see that there has been 4 recalls and a few CSP notices for the make and modle of my truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #11692444, filed 2025-10Related recalls
- 12V190000May 3, 2012Ford 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…Covers: Ford F-150 2011–2012, Mustang 2012–2013, Expedition 2012 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10054549Nov 1, 2013Ford: there is a water leak in the area of the center high mount stop lamp (chmsl) and would need to be isolated to determine the cause, if any. Model 2011-2013 f-150.
- 10051724Nov 1, 2012Ford: due to an open headlight switch, the headlamps, park lamps or lamps are inoperative and headlamps will remain on because of aftermarket or genuine ford accessories (gfa)…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 50 | 26% |
| 2023 | 23 | 6% |
| 2022 | 66 | 11% |
| 2021 | 116 | 11% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 11 | 1% |
| 2018 | 23 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 16 | 1% |
| 2015 | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 17 | 1% |
| 2012 | 9 | 1% |
| 2011 | 30 | 1% |
| 2010 | 28 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 0% |
| 2004 | 17 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 10 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 1% |
| 2000 | 22 | 2% |
| 1999 | 16 | 2% |
| 1998 | 13 | 1% |
| 1997 | 34 | 1% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 1% |
| 1994 | 7 | 1% |
| 1993 | 10 | 2% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford F-150
682 complaintsEngine
483 complaintsSteering
204 complaintsVehicle speed control
194 complaintsElectrical system
173 complaintsBrakes
137 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
129 complaintsOther or unknown
122 complaintsFuel system
119 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsElectronic stability control
36 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology