The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford F-150 · 2012

2012 Ford F-150. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index99100 = average car
Complaints694NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold645,316U.S. model year
Per 100K sold108complaints
Year rank#15 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 14

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto 6-spdRWD16 / 22 / 19Regular$3,300
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto (S6)RWD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto (S6)4WD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
3.5L 6-cyl turboAuto 6-spd4WD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
3.7L 6-cylAuto 6-spdRWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)RWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.7L 6-cylAuto 6-spd4WD16 / 21 / 18Regular$3,450
3.7L 6-cylAuto (S6)4WD16 / 21 / 18Regular$3,450
5.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S6)RWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
5.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
5.0L 8-cylAuto (S6)4WD14 / 19 / 16Regular$3,900
6.2L 8-cylAuto (S6)RWD13 / 18 / 15Regular$4,150
6.2L 8-cylAuto (S6)4WD12 / 16 / 13Regular$4,800

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,700 and 105,000 miles. Median 64,000, from 1,873 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain88,90045,000–130,000560
Engine29,0009,600–65,600496
Steering76,00045,000–127,000323
Suspension87,80041,500–135,600170
Electrical65,90036,600–110,000167

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine47%
Transmission & drivetrain18%
Speed control15%
Steering11%
Engine10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2,306522130259

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 19V075000 Feb 2019 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V248000 Apr 2016 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 12V198000 May 2012 Air Bags / Frontal / Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    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 SEAT’S OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR DEPLOYS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT.

    Risk. 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.

  • 12V190000 May 2012 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    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.

    Risk. 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 VEHICLE’S 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 CON

    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.

  • 11V582000 Dec 2011 Power Train / Automatic Transmission

    Defect. FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, “THEFT PROTECTION.” THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.

    Risk. THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.

    Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH FUNCTION AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedUnexpected transmission downshift20172019
ClosedBrake vacuum pump failure20152016
ClosedBrake vacuum pump failure20152015
ClosedVehicle commanded engine shutdown20152016
ClosedReduced power during hard acceleration20132014

Manufacturer communications 129

Ford filed 129 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Noise is coming from rear axle on acceleration, an intermittent clicking or snapping, from stop
  • Stumble/misfire intermittently on acceleration from highway cruise in humid or damp conditions
  • Some vehicles, with turbochared gasoline direct injection engines, will exhibit flashing…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Ford F-150 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x4★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★☆☆
Ford F-150 Super Crew PU/CC 4x2★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
200947157413,625Speed control
201050292528,349Electrical
2011103699584,917Engine
201299694645,316Engine
201367624763,402Engine
201442351753,851Brakes
201589673780,354Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data