10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,277 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #41

Sep 192017

F-150

  • 77,400 miles
I purchased a 2012 Ford ecoboost in July 2012. And purchased an extended 5yr 100K mile warranty., which was valid through July 20, 2017. In August of 2017, after the truck sat for a couple days, I would start the car and hear a loud rattle coming from the front of the motor. I started to research the internet and found out that ecoboost models from 2011-2015 had faulty timing chains that stretched / malfunctioned after a short period of time. I found several testimonials and videos of ecoboost owners with the same issue. I contacted Ford and basically got a "sorry" response since I was 60 days over the warranty period. The repair cost $~ 4000 and Ford is turning a blind eye. I have followed all maintenance requirements and take impeccable care of my vehicle. And I'm now faced with a $4000 repair bill with a truck with 77K miles on it. We need NHTSA to help Ford step up to the plate and make this right to the customer. And issue a recall for this current tsb. If not repaired, the time chain can jump and destroy the motor. This isn't a small issue. No consumer should be faced with a $4000 repair bill after 77K miles and taking care of their vehicle. Your support in instituting a recall for this design malfunction will not just help me, but many others I've met online with the same issue. Regards.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #40

Jul 022017

F-150

  • 73,000 miles
When parked with ignition off and no one in the truck drivers side door will not unlock with key or inside on the unlock switch. When I first noticed the problem sometimes you can unlock and lock repeatedly and it would unlock but now it wont do anything. Both doors lock fine but when unlocking only the passanger side door unlocks. This is on an extended cab XLT.

- Rock Hil, SC, USA

problem #39

Aug 192017

F-150

  • 86,365 miles
I went to open the moonroof on a hot afternoon to vent the truck. I pressed the switch to tilt the glass and it didn't seem to move. I tried the slide function and heard a loud pop. The glass slid about 1" and stopped. I tried numerous times to open or close the moonroof and only succeeded in getting it to open about 5" and it will not close. I have read many posts on Ford forums and other forums about this problem. It includes not only the F-150's but Explorer and Expedition from 2007 to present. A small plastic part breaks and renders to moonroof inoperable. The owner is then stuck with an opening in the roof of their vehicle that will let the weather in. Rain could potentially short out much of the vehicles electrical system. The estimated cost to fix this at the dealer is as much as $2400 for a part the probably cost Ford less than $1. the vehicle was stationary when this happened, but could very well happened on the highway as I have opened the moonroof while traveling before. The sound of the plastic pieces breaking while opening could very well startle a driver if opened while traveling. I have to travel with a piece of plastic in the truck and use it to cover the opening in case of rain. Also the vehicle isn't secure because of the opening. I'm also not sure if this will shatter the glass if opened further.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #38

May 012017

F-150

  • 85,000 miles
Tailgate step hinge needs to have slip resistant spray or material on it. The step has slip resistant material, but when stepping down, if the ball of your foot lands on the hinge you can slide off the step resulting in severe injury

- Clear Lake, SD, USA

problem #37

May 112017

F-150

  • 48,000 miles
I have a 2012 F-150 and have lost power along with the body of truck shacking on 4 occasions. Want to know how many throttle bodies I have had - the original, the replacement in 2016, another replacement in 2016 and now I broke down again yesterday. Actually on the 3rd throttle body, my husband dropped me off to pick truck up at dealership and I broke down in the Ford dealership parking lot as I was exiting the dealership. I again left it and they said it was dust on something and later afternoon delivered it to my house. So now one year later... one year to the day of breaking down, yesterday 5/11/17, I lost power on top of a big bridge on the inside line coming on to our island and by the grace of god no one was in the outer lane and I was able to coast over to the very small and tight emergency lane. People are usually cresting the bridge at 60 mph so I say god was watching over us. We called 911 and waited in the emergency lane on top of bridge and had a police escort off the bridge to a parking lot. We were afraid to move on our own in case someone crested the bridge and was caught off guard as we were coasting down. The emergency lane is very narrow on the bridge and it was a little nerve-wracking. After sitting 5 minutes I was able to start the truck again which is always the case. I had it towed to the Ford dealership and have called left message twice to speak to the service manager and he has yet to call me back. Way to go Ford! my faith in you is lost. I will never feel safe in my truck again. How many throttle bodies does one have to go through before you feel there needs to be a recall on the 2012 F-150. #luckytobealive

- St Simons Island, GA, USA

problem #36

Apr 242017

F-150

  • 88,112 miles
My Ford dealer told me my all of my lug nuts need to be replaced, because they are worn out and dangerous! my dealer said the old lugs can not be removed so they can rotate my tires. My truck is only 5 years old. I need a recall order!

- Hesperia, Ca, CA, USA

problem #35

Apr 062017

F-150

  • 2 miles
Automatic transmission suddenly shifted to first gear while vehicle was traveling at around 50 mph, without any driver input. Traveling on a city street, level and dry conditions. Wheels locked up and vehicle stopped. Vehicle stayed in first gear for awhile and then began driving normally for a few hundred yards and then the problem repeated.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #34

Apr 052017

F-150

  • 145,000 miles
Sunroof shattered while going down interstate. Sounded like an explosion X 3

- Gurdon, AR, USA

problem #33

Mar 252017

F-150

  • 72,600 miles
While driving on the interstate at approximately 70 miles per hour, the sunroof on my truck exploded. No sounds of anything striking the window were heard, just a loud pop when it gave way.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #32

Jul 292016

F-150

  • 58,000 miles
When accelerating from a stop or slow roll, the truck will jerk hard feeling like the it is coming from the driveshaft. There is no common cause for this issue such as going over a bump, etc. Brought truck to the local Ford dealership and was told it was "leaf spring slap" which it is clear under the truck that there is deep grooves on the drive shaft, yoke area. Ford denies this is the issue. This happens 80% of the time that I accelerate either from a stop or slow movement.

- Reserve, LA, USA

problem #31

Mar 072017

F-150

  • 27,151 miles
3/7/2017 20 minute drive home, shut truck off to run inside house cameout to run errand to pharmacy and upon starting truck after pharmacy service advance trac showed up in instrument cluster, this has also caused my turn signals not to work. This truck has had a faulty tourque convertor, rear window replacement due to break in rear window defroster. Now this, I do not feel safe in this vehicle and will be pursuing the lemon law in my state. When safety issues arise and are reported they should be acted on immediatly! should not wait til numbers of deaths before action is taken. A conscientious automaker with customer safety in mind would put out recalls to keep the public safe.

- Bettendorf, IA, USA

problem #30

Mar 032017

F-150

  • 51,400 miles
I have a 2012 FX4 F150 with 51,400 miles on it, 29 degree morning, I turn on defrosters in both front and rear. I am driving to work and about 5 minutes down the road and I hear a load pop and I don't hear or feel anything else. It is dark, so I don't notice anything right away. As I'm pulling into work and a little light outside, I see my driver side of the 3 piece rear window is shattered. It is a rear sliding window(still operates fine). I heard about this happening to others when I purchased the vehicle and was investigating recalls. So I go out at lunch to investigate and notice small shards of glass on my daughter's car seat. I called the dealership I bought the truck from, there is nothing they could do so now I'm stuck with eating this cost myself. Ford should issue a recall for this.

- Fisherville, KY, USA

problem #29

Jan 012017

F-150

  • 91,000 miles
When I an pushing the gas pedal to go, the whole truck vibrates at random intervals and lasts for about 15 seconds at intervals every 1 to 2 minutes. This happens at all speeds and is getting worse everyday. Les schwab checked the tires, brakes, rotors, axles, bearing and U-joints and everything is good. It feels almost like you are driving on a rumble strip but more harsh. The severity of the vibration is worse while driving up hills and it is getting worse by the day.

- Prineville, OR, USA

problem #28

Nov 182016

F-150

  • 40,000 miles
Sunroof imploded while parked. I went to my truck to get something in the afternoon closed the door, thought I heard a pop. Went back to work and a coworker pointed out something looked wrong with my sunroof. The glass popped up and the entire sunroof shattered. How am I responsible for replacing this!? $900 was the estimate.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #27

Nov 102016

F-150

  • 94,679 miles
I have a 2012 F-150 flex fuel 5.0. last night it started downshifting and slamming into 1st gear while driving approximately 65 mph. I stopped for errands got started on the road again and the truck did the same thing but a "wrench" appeared in my dash display. I took it to my local mechanic who diagnosed the problem with P0731 - molded lead frame. He indicated Ford had issued a service bulletin stating a "free" fix of the problem. The truck is at Ford now but Ford is saying my VIN is not part of the recall. My truck was built in January 2012 at the Kansas City plant. What would make the molded lead frame go bad if it is not part of the recall?

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #26

Aug 292016

F-150

  • 73,500 miles
Fluid loss: On 2 separate occasions I have parked my truck in my driveway at night and in the morning I awake to find puddles of fluid under truck. I have taken the truck to a Ford service center and both times have been told I have no leaks. 2 days ago the puddle of reddish fluid was much bigger. Once again I am told no leaks by service department. I have shown them pictures & I am told there are fluids they cannot check, Ford has not provided a way to do that on this truck. I purchased an extended warranty as I can't afford a huge repair bill. Other F150 owners have had similar issues and I am concerned. Is Ford going to wait until someone dies or are they hoping the consumer will pay for fix after warranty has expired" what are they hiding"

- Fountain Hills, AZ, USA

problem #25

Aug 192016

F-150

  • 59,000 miles
Our transmission is doing exactly what the recall mentioned. We are traveling with a 2 year old and I can not believe that Ford does not have a fix to this problem this usa very dangerous situation while traveling on an interstate

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #24

Jul 112016

F-150

  • 90,000 miles
I have shuddering goin on somewhere in the drive shaft, transfer case and the transmission. I just got it back from Ford where they told me they could not fix it. And on the way home I hit a bump on the highway and the shudder almost ran me into the car next to me. I am feeling very scared to drive it, I feel like it's gonna fall apart. I've had it into Ford many times for this problem and others and to no avail, they can't fix it. I'm ready to file a lawsuit over this. Please help. Thanks

- Winnebago, IL, USA

problem #23

Jun 042016

F-150

  • 30,150 miles
I was involved in a traffic accident June 4, 2016 in which a car attempted to make a left turn in front of me at an intersection and the result was a moderate collision. Due to the collision my vehicle lost all power (engine and electrical) and the air bags failed to deploy.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #22

Dec 232015

F-150

  • 176,621 miles
I was going down 105, to get from conroe to porter, when I changed lanes to get near an exit to go through back roads the truck all of a sudden shot down to 42 or 43, causing someone behind me to try to avoid hitting me, he avoided most of the truck but hit my bumper on the right side pushing it into the bed a little, I didn't know what was going on so I slammed on the breaks causing the belts to tighten up. He got out to help me and we got my truck towed, he assumed it was the transmission locking up. Once back in houston I was told the transmission was fine and it was a freak accident.

- Washington, DC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »