2012 Ford F-150 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 682about this part
- Share
- 38%of 1,784 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 682 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Ford F-150, 38% of the 1,784 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Was driving on highway at 65 MPH, when the trannie dropped into lower gear and locked up the rear end. The truck fishtailed for a few moments until I was able to gain control and pull to side of road. I was told by the dealership later that the leadframe harness needed to be replaced. However a safety reort came ut stating a sensor was to blame.”
NHTSA complaint #11180497, filed 2019-02, 80,000 miles“The truck was in park I had stepped out to check the mail with my children in the truck the next thing I knew my truck was moving like it was in gear I jumped in pressed the break and it still showed it in park I pushed into park harder and it stopped.. I was not on a hill or anything to make it roll and it was actually moving like it was put into gear”
NHTSA complaint #11229389, filed 2019-07, 96,000 miles“As I was driving my truck went crazy on my dash every electronic reading was wack out of commission speed went to zero on my odometer and from six speed to 1 my truck would not run any faster but my RPM guage was sky high until I realized I had to put my truck in neutral to pull over to turn off my truck.”
NHTSA complaint #11387291, filed 2021-01, 126,000 miles“I was backing out of my driveway when as soon as I got out my truck suddenly locked up and then the engine light came on with the service light and also the wrench light and as I was driving my speedometer wouldn't go past 0 but would still accelerate. This was happening while driving down the road going about 15mph.”
NHTSA complaint #11362130, filed 2020-09, 121,780 miles“Tsb 15-0131 timing chain stretches and makes a loud rattle upon starting and eventually leads to loss of power and engine damage. The known cause of this is all the phasers,the intake and exhaust phasers. This is my main concern. Everyone I know who owns this vehicle has this problem. The other complaint is that I get 14 mpg.”
NHTSA complaint #11208179, filed 2019-05, 40,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V075000Feb 11, 2019Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly…Covers: Ford F-150 2011–2013
- 16V248000Apr 27, 2016Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The…Covers: Ford F-150 2011–2012, Mustang 2012, Expedition 2012 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10214754Jun 21, 2022Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may…
- 10201087Aug 17, 2021This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
- 10201086Aug 17, 2021This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
- 10183669Nov 12, 2020Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage In…
- 10162411Jun 25, 2019Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission…
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10159510Apr 4, 2019Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10099463Mar 14, 20172009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated main control valve body overhaul procedure. Refer to workshop manual (wsm), section…
- 10092370Aug 16, 2016Some 2004-2014 f-150 and 2006-2008 mark lt vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4wd) may exhibit noisy or engaged front hubs when operating in two-wheel drive (2wd) mode…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 58 | 30% |
| 2023 | 159 | 38% |
| 2022 | 162 | 27% |
| 2021 | 321 | 31% |
| 2020 | 360 | 49% |
| 2019 | 740 | 55% |
| 2018 | 1,018 | 44% |
| 2017 | 557 | 38% |
| 2016 | 615 | 29% |
| 2015 | 434 | 25% |
| 2014 | 426 | 28% |
| 2013 | 1,346 | 45% |
| 2012 | 682 | 38% |
| 2011 | 829 | 38% |
| 2010 | 121 | 14% |
| 2009 | 33 | 10% |
| 2008 | 50 | 14% |
| 2007 | 57 | 12% |
| 2006 | 46 | 8% |
| 2005 | 112 | 10% |
| 2004 | 232 | 11% |
| 2003 | 62 | 15% |
| 2002 | 53 | 6% |
| 2001 | 74 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 4% |
| 1999 | 75 | 7% |
| 1998 | 83 | 6% |
| 1997 | 151 | 5% |
| 1996 | 26 | 8% |
| 1995 | 75 | 12% |
| 1994 | 56 | 8% |
| 1993 | 40 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 6% |
| 1991 | 13 | 4% |
| 1990 | 13 | 5% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 2% |
| 1986 | 2 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2012 Ford F-150
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 complaintsSuspension
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford F-150
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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