Model year
2012 Ford F150
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 1,784 complaints for the 2012 Ford F150 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (674), ENGINE (483), STEERING (202). NHTSA lists 4 investigations. NHTSA rated 6 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 13–19 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 1,075 complaints
- 2001 1,236 complaints
- 2002 821 complaints
- 2003 423 complaints
- 2004 2,029 complaints
- 2005 1,112 complaints
- 2006 585 complaints
- 2007 488 complaints
- 2008 369 complaints
- 2009 324 complaints
- 2010 843 complaints
- 2011 2,193 complaints
- 2012 1,784 complaints
- 2013 2,991 complaints
- 2014 1,538 complaints
- 2015 1,737 complaints
- 2016 2,082 complaints
- 2017 1,460 complaints
- 2018 2,324 complaints
- 2019 1,340 complaints
- 2020 738 complaints
- 2021 1,033 complaints
- 2022 598 complaints
- 2023 415 complaints
- 2024 194 complaints
- 2025 109 complaints
- 2026 12 complaints
Recalls
19V075000 · Feb 11, 2019
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
16V248000 · Apr 27, 2016
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. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless…
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 OR DURING THE COURSE…
12V190000 · May 3, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; 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. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER…
Complaints
1,784 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 40, fire flag on 14, injury field 29, deaths field 2. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE13018 | Reduced power during hard acceleration · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE | May 22, 2013 | Apr 7, 2014 |
| PE15026 | Brake Vacuum Pump Failure · SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | Jun 22, 2015 | Oct 19, 2015 |
| EA15006 | Brake Vacuum Pump Failure · SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | Oct 16, 2015 | Apr 28, 2016 |
| RQ17010 | Unexpected Transmission Downshift · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | Dec 25, 2017 | Oct 22, 2019 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | — |
| 2012 Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 · possibility 0.228 | — |
| 2012 Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x2 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | NHTSA photo |
| 2012 Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 · possibility 0.228 | NHTSA photo |
| 2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 · possibility 0.198 | NHTSA photo |
| 2012 Ford F-150 Supercab PU/EC 4x4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 · possibility 0.228 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 6.2L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV · 3.7L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV · 3.7L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV · 5L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV · 5L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| F150 Raptor Pickup 4WD · 6.2L · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 6.2L · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV · 3.7L · Automatic 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV · 3.7L · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD · 3.5L · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
3 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Ford F150 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.