Home · 2012 Ford F-150 Supercab Diesel · Complaints

What 1,717 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-150 Supercab Diesel

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,717)Crash / fire / injury (57)Transmission & drivetrain (642)Engine (473)Steering (197)Speed control (188)Electrical system (163)Brakes (135)Visibility & wipers (129)Fuel system (117)Airbags (37)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (36)

Newest first · 1,717 complaints · page 3 of 69

Dec 10, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while her husband was driving 70 MPH, the speedometer failed to operate as intended, and the transmission was stuck in first gear. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the valve body and connector needed to be replaced, and the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 16N02 (Transmission Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11629940

Nov 27, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift into first gear. During the failure, the vehicle abruptly decelerated with the maintenance and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission speed sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the vehicle did not qualify for the Extended Warranty Coverage to fix the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627734

Nov 26, 2024Backup camera & sensors

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blue. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627518

Nov 18, 2024Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

It shifted out of gear into first. It wouldn’t pull giving it gas didn’t help I was lucky I wasn’t injured when it shifted. A wrench flashed on dash board when it jumped gears.

NHTSA ODI 11625828

Nov 15, 2024Transmission & drivetrainDriver assistance

Driving home at approx.50 mph my f-150 Ford downshifted into 1st gear for no reason? Locking up the rear tires and slamming me forward. I put in my vin number and found my truck is not part of Ford's recall for f 150's 2011 thru 2014. I don't know why it's not part of the recall ? The recall 19So7 describes what happened exactly. Ford said the Dealers fixed this by reprogramming the tcu or transmission control module. I believe there is damage to the transmission. I took it to Goode Ford in Burley,Idaho they said it has too many miles they would not even look at it ?

NHTSA ODI 11625568

Nov 15, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle downshifted with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 307,600.

NHTSA ODI 11625616

Nov 6, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The known issue of a lead frame failure in the transmission of my vehicle occurred causing the vehicle to lose it's speedometer input and traction. Extremely dangerous condition and Ford refuses to acknowledge or take any responsibility for the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11623858

Nov 4, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, nearly causing a crash. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled to the side of the road temporarily. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact used a vehicle scanner and retrieved diagnostic trouble code 720, which indicated a speed output sensor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under an unknown recall because the recall had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

NHTSA ODI 11623517

Oct 25, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission was slipping between gears. The vehicle unexpectedly downshifted while driving 70 MPH. The contact stated that the wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear message turned on and off while driving. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and determined that the failure was due to the speed output sensor. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall coverage for the failure on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621917

Oct 23, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the transmission downshifted to second gear and the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated that the "WRENCH" and air bag warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer needle was at "0". The contact stated that the failure had occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission leadframe needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the dealer that the manufacturer had issued Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 (Power Train) in 2019; however, the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621580

Oct 22, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621278

Sep 30, 2024Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

I have a 2012 f 150. I am the second owner of this truck. going down the road a wrench appears on my dash board. The issue seems to be Safety recall notice 16s19/ NHTSA recall 16v-248. The software update was done in 2019. The problem started 4-5 months ago. Ford tells me they dont have to fix the problem now because the it is out of the extended warranty they put on the vehicle. They admit there is a problem but won't fix it. I am driving a unsafe vehicle. I think they should. I drive my grandchilden to school in this truck. do i have any recourse?

NHTSA ODI 11617347

Sep 27, 2024SteeringElectrical system

I started getting a notification on my dash about a issue with the charging system. I checked system and it is fine. Now I am getting other lights on my dash and head lights flashing. Come to find out, it's a bad Body control module. I also have a steering issue, from time to time the truck is hard to steer and I been told it's signs of a bad rack and pinion. I also have had the same issues with my 2011 F-150. The bad body control module I fixed but the steering if bad. I have read on Ford forums that others across the country are have the same issues but of course no recall.

NHTSA ODI 11616795

Sep 15, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

1.)Transmission shifts into 1st gear while traveling at 40mph causing skidding. 2.)Transmission drops into 3rd gear while driving and stays there even when trying to leave a stop sign at intersection 3.)Transmission will stick in 1st for half block then suddenly accelorate the engine and slam hard into a higher gear.

NHTSA ODI 11614691

Sep 2, 2024SteeringElectrical systemEngine

This truck is a safety hazard! The waterpump had to be replaced due to overheating, plus numerous other engine issues. it only has 137,000 miles on it But the REAL safety hazard is the power steering goes out at random times. and when this happens the dash goes blank. This has happened 4 times and each time we were lucky it was not on a busy highway, and close to home. The mechanic did everything he knew to do, and when we got it back....It did it again!!! Now, supposedly it is fixed, and we drove it home with no issues.....but...again, they are random, and I am scared to drive the truck. Will it take someone getting killed for this recall to happen? I have seen numerous post about this happening to others. I live on a winding back road, and if the power steering went out, I dont think it would end well. We are thinking of selling it, but I cant in my heart sell it to someone knowing these issues, and if we trade at a dealership, they will find numerous problems and never give us what it is worth, even though these problems are not from neglect

NHTSA ODI 11612131

Aug 27, 2024Brakes

While traveling at high way speed my brakes failed. We almost rear ended people and almost crashed into the divider. Thankfully the parking brake still worked.. We are very grateful that no one got injured. The truck is getting repaired at ford as I write this and it was diagnosed as master cylinder & brake booster failure.

NHTSA ODI 11611274

Aug 25, 2024Brakes

Breaks stopped working while I try to start my car, it went all the way to the floor. No warning , before it stopped, the warning came when it actually happen: "no break fluid". After a mechanic checked it, the brake master cylinder and break booster failed to work properly they needed to be replaced. The master cylinder is leaking brake fluid into the brake booster. If this would have happened to me driving on freeway or on road I wouldn't had any breaks to stop. My truck has been taken to Ford dealership they are fixing the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11610761

Aug 20, 2024Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngine

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle downshifted with the check engine, transmission, and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The contact also noticed the vehicle had gone into LIMP Mode after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lead frame failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

NHTSA ODI 11609798

Aug 9, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth to third gear. During the failure, the vehicle abruptly decelerated, causing the driver to almost lose control of the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11607592

Aug 2, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V075000 (Power Train). The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 223,965.

NHTSA ODI 11606071

Aug 1, 2024Brakes

I just had to have the vacuum booster pump for the brakes on my truck replaced again. The part number is: BL3Z-2A451D. It is the third time that I have had to replace it in the last four years: 6/26/20, 9/15/22, and 7/21/24. My mechanic, George’s Auto, in Crescent City, CA says that it is a faulty design issue, and has to replace several on other vehicles as well.

NHTSA ODI 11605988

Aug 1, 2024Brakes

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to pull out of the residence, the brakes seized. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic and the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a vacuum pump failure. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was 65,299.

NHTSA ODI 11605991

Jul 31, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission suddenly downshifts to first gear. Will not get past third gear before shifting back down. Can’t drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11605764

Jul 29, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission unintendedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to skid. The power train warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer read "0" and the odometer was malfunctioning. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact pulled to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle; however, the transmission was stuck in 2nd or third gear while driving. The contact was able to drive to the residence and parked the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure was related to the transmission molded lead frame; however, Ford Campaign Number: 19N01 had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 243,200.

NHTSA ODI 11605047

Jul 26, 2024Wheels

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel; after which the driver's side front wheel detached and struck truck in the far-left lane. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway; however, there was extensive damage to the driver's side brake caliper and rotor. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11604770

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ford F-150 Supercab Diesel verdict →