Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Ford F-150 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,717
Latest campaign: Feb 11, 2019

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Power train	3	Feb 11, 2019	19V075000 16V248000 12V190000
Air bags	1	May 3, 2012	12V198000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Feb 11, 2019Latest campaign


Feb 11, 201919V075000	Power train: automatic transmission control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V075000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 19V075000 · Feb 11, 2019
Apr 27, 201616V248000	Power train: automatic transmission 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V248000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 16V248000 · Apr 27, 2016
May 3, 201212V198000	Air bags: frontal sensor/control module-inactive 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V198000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 12V198000 · May 3, 2012
May 3, 201212V190000	Power train: automatic transmission control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 12V190000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 12V190000 · May 3, 2012

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 Ford F-150? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,717

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,717Complaints filed

37Involving a crash

14Involving a fire

26Injuries reported · 2 deaths

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Power train	642	37	10	1	8
Engine	473	28	4	3	0
Steering	197	11	2	0	0
Vehicle speed control	188	11	3	0	1
Electrical system	163	9	1	8	1
Service brakes	136	8	13	0	2
Unknown or other	108	6	2	1	4
Visibility/wiper	95	6	0	3	0
Fuel/propulsion system	82	5	0	1	0
Air bags	37	2	10	0	9
Electronic stability control (ESC)	36	2	1	0	2
Fuel system	35	2	1	0	0
Gasoline	35	2	1	0	0
Visibility	34	2	0	2	1
Structure	24	1	1	0	1

13 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names F-150 Regular Cab, F-150 Super Crew, F-150 Supercab.

Latest reports

Power train
“Vehicle rolls backwards OR potentially forwards intermittently depending on direction of incline. Have only observed it rolling backwards.”
Filed 07/23/2025 · ODI 11675725
Power train
“The transmission made a noise of metal and all electrical when out while driving but the engine stay on but no power to the road. yes its available.”
Filed 07/17/2025 · ODI 11674180
Power train
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent.”
Filed 07/16/2025 · ODI 11673875

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2012 Ford F-150 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford F-150. The most recent, 19V075000 (reported February 11, 2019), concerns power train. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Ford F-150 recalls for?

The largest group is power train, with 3 campaigns. Others: air bags (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Ford F-150?

Power train is the most-reported component, named in 642 complaints out of 1,717 filed with NHTSA (37%). Across all complaints, owners reported 37 crashs and 14 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Ford F-150?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

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