Two problems related to differential unit have been reported for the 2012 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2012 F-150.
I was casually driving on the highway just outside of atlanta when all of a sudden I felt a jolt in the rear end and my advanced traction control turned on and stated that there was a problem. I pulled over and called a tow truck to take it to the Ford dealership for service. The dealership advised me that somehow my rear axle differential had snapped on the rear driver side. They stated that usually they see that in high lifted trucks or with towing something heavy. My truck is standard lift and I do not tow any trailers and I am thinking it could possibly have been a factory defect as my truck is still pretty young and has only 114000 miles.
Differential lock activates by it's self. Light comes on instrument panel showing rear axle locked. Rear axle locks up at speeds below 20 mph. If stopped at a light or sign your rear wheels will drag as if the brakes are being applied. It can happen at any time. If going over 20 mph some times the instrument panel message center lights up and says you have to slow down below 20 mph to apply rear differential lock. Happens mostly in 2wd. This has happened for over 6,000 miles. Can be on dry pavement or rough surface. Have noticed that the 4wd mode switch on dash will seem loose and the knob will pull out if you hit a rough road surface. I have replaced the mode switch at my expense (1) time at my expense p/n cl3z-14b166-ea. Dealer and Ford still trying to figure out problem. This causes vehicle to loose communications with obd circuit and several other modules. Not allowing system to download codes or to update parameters.