Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
The 2012 Ford F-150 has 1,783 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, most for transmission and drivetrain (681). It gets 13 to 19 mpg combined and a 5-year fuel cost of $17,100 to $24,990 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 4 overall stars. Recall campaigns may apply to this car: 4 in total, covering transmission and drivetrain, lights, and air bags.
Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.
Fuel economy
13–19 mpgcombined; city 12–17, highway 16–23; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$17,100–$24,990U.S. average; Ohio $15,280–$22,330 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
Owners have filed 1,783 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 F-150. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power train
681
12
1
10
Engine
483
4
3
0
Steering
204
3
0
1
Vehicle speed control
194
4
0
2
Electrical system
173
1
8
1
Service brakes
124
14
0
3
Unknown or other
119
3
1
5
Visibility/wiper
95
0
3
0
Fuel/propulsion system
84
0
1
0
Air bags
37
10
0
9
Electronic stability control (ESC)
36
1
0
2
Fuel system, gasoline
35
1
0
0
15 more parts
Visibility
34
0
2
1
Structure
24
1
0
1
Suspension
19
1
0
1
Wheels
18
0
0
0
Engine and engine cooling
17
0
0
1
Service brakes, hydraulic
12
0
0
0
Tires
12
0
0
0
Exterior lighting
9
0
0
0
Seats
9
1
1
1
Latches/locks/linkages
7
0
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
3
0
0
0
Seat belts
3
1
0
3
Traction control system
3
0
0
0
Back over prevention
2
0
0
0
Service brakes, air
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 F-150 over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
Power train: automatic transmission; 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.
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.
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.
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 CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE’S 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.
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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 117 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2012 F-150, the latest on Apr 29, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: equipment (26), power train (22), electrical system (21), engine (17), engine and engine cooling (16).
NHTSA defect investigations
Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.
Investigation
Part
Opened
Status
Recall query RQ17010 Unexpected Transmission Downshift · covers 2 makes
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2012 F-150.
These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.
Specs
EPA class: standard pickup trucks. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
3.7 L, 6 cyl
Automatic 6-spd
Regular Gasoline or E85
17 / 23 / 19
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
3.7 L, 6 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline or E85
17 / 23 / 19
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
3.5 L, 6 cyl, turbo
Automatic 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
16 / 22 / 19
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
3.5 L, 6 cyl, turbo
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
16 / 22 / 18
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
3.7 L, 6 cyl
Automatic 6-spd
Regular Gasoline or E85
16 / 21 / 18
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
3.7 L, 6 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline or E85
16 / 21 / 18
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Automatic 6-spd
Regular Gasoline or E85
15 / 21 / 17
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline or E85
15 / 21 / 17
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
3.5 L, 6 cyl, turbo
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
15 / 21 / 17
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
3.5 L, 6 cyl, turbo
Automatic 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
15 / 21 / 17
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Automatic 6-spd
Regular Gasoline or E85
14 / 19 / 16
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
5.0 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline or E85
14 / 19 / 16
F150 Rear-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
13 / 18 / 15
F150 Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
12 / 16 / 13
F150 Raptor Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
6.2 L, 8 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
12 / 16 / 13
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data