2012 Ford F150
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 678 of 1,780 complaints (38%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 2,188 in 2011 to 1,780 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650–4,150 | 3,300–5,200 | 3,300–4,800 | 3,300–4,800 | 3,300–4,800 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–17 | 12–19 | 13–19 | 13–19 | 13–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–15 / 18–21 | 11–17 / 14–22 | 12–17 / 16–23 | 12–17 / 16–23 | 12–17 / 16–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–592 | 468–741 | 468–684 | 470–675 | 464–675 | |
| Complaints filed | 842 | 2,188 | 1,780 | 2,980 | 1,527 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 8 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 23 | 45 | 40 | 77 | 38 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 35 | 18 | 14 | 35 | 16 | |
| Injuries reported | 28 | 35 | 29 | 64 | 36 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F150 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Ford F150?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 678 of 1,780 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford F150 get?
EPA rates it 13–19 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Ford F150?
EPA estimates $3,300–$4,800 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (15)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 13 mpg | 18 mpg | 15 mpg | $4,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 5.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 12 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 6.2L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 12 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $4,800 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Show 5 more configurations
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.7L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 13 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 14 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 5.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 15 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 5.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | 14 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 497 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 678 | 12 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 119 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 172 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 174 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 204 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 48 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 40 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 198 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 40 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 138 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 119 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) · Campaign 19V075000 · Feb 12, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S07.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 16V248000 · Apr 27, 2016
Defect: 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 first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 12V198000 · May 4, 2012
Defect: 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 OR DURING THE COURSE OF REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AS PART OF A SERVICE REPAIR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE OCSM MAY MISCLASSIFY THE PASSENGER SEATS OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR DEPLOYS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCSM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS · Campaign 12V190000 · May 2, 2012
Defect: 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 SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.
Consequence: 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. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLES NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.