536 problems related to power train 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.
Rear wheel and steering lock up while traveling at 70mph on interstate causing broken controls on steering wheel . Vehicle is unsafe to drive. Truck was taken to rivertown Ford 1680 whittlesey rd columbus GA 31904 for recall repair. Truck was released to me with no signals no wipers. The steering is very loose and hard to control.
The vehicle experienced repeated and unpredictable loss of drivability while in operation. The transmission intermittently disengages and the gear indicator rapidly cycles between park, reverse, neutral, and drive without driver input. During these events, the vehicle loses propulsion and becomes unsafe to operate in traffic. Warning messages and instrument cluster anomalies were observed prior to and during the failures, including erratic dashboard behavior. The issue has occurred multiple times and is reproducible. The condition appears to be related to a known safety recall involving the transmission lead frame / powertrain control system. The failure creates a serious safety risk due to sudden loss of power and inability to control vehicle movement, especially in traffic or while stopped at intersections. The vehicle is not safe to drive and has been removed from regular service. Diagnostic data, video evidence, and photographs documenting the failure and warning indicators are available upon request. The manufacturer has been notified and a recall case has been opened, but the defect has not yet been resolved. The vehicle remains unrepaired at the time of this report.
I have a p0722-00 code which is the output shaft speed sensor which made my truck down shift and change gears while driving on the highway which was very dangerous me.
Driving along I-94, 2012 f150 downshifted immediately from 5 gear to 1 gear. There was no previous issues and no warning lights and codes. Caused significant drive issues and had to pull immediately to side of busy highway. Caused immediately backup and believed to have caused back up accident. After taking to dealership was told it was my molded lead frame. Which had been under an extended warranty but since my vehicle is older than 10 years and over 150,000 it is not under warranty. Ford knows about the issued due to the extended warranty issued. However, that warranty still is not effective in taking a major defect off the roads.
Check engine light , no speedometer , at times it won't shift , light for airbag would stay on .
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear, prompting the driver to discontinue driving the vehicle. The “service transmission” warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19v075000 (power train); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 141,000.
When I was driving on the highway I was going about 65 mph in 6th gear and then without warning my 2012 Ford f150 3. 5 truck shifted all the way down to 1st gear which almost caused me to wreck on the highway and other cars to almost slam into me. Now when I try to drive the truck it keeps throwing a wrench and the wrench blinks and my truck will not shift hardly at all between the gears. After I have researched this issue I see that there has been 4 recalls and a few csp notices for the make and modle of my truck. The recall numbers are #19v075000, 12v190000, 16v248000, 12v198000 and the csp campaign number is #16n02 regarding the lead frame issue that causes the extreme downshift. I contact the Ford dealership to try and get this fixed and they said there is nothing they can do to help me.
Vehicle started getting stuck in different gears. Would drive fine for a little while and then get stuck causing you to pull over on going traffic. Having to sit for a while until it was ready to shift again. Would have to shift at manual at times to make it back home. You wouldn’t feel safe at times driving because you didn’t know what to expect anymore. Wrench light would come on and sometimes air bag light will come on as well.
2012 Ford f150 transmission lead frame internal failure causing intermittent harsh shifting. Highway speeds and truck shifting into 2/3 gear and almost causing wreck. Took it into shop for repair and they said I had a recall. However inwas outside of recall period. Now I have to pay $2k to fix a for a known recall issue. Does should fix all vehicles with this known safety issue.
Safety recall # 19s07 for my 07/12 2012 f150 followed by Ford customer service 19n01 vehicles with 6r80 transmissions molded lead frame replacement extends warranty coverage 10 years 150000 miles but does not cover the early vehicles that have the same problems my truck is 13 years old with 78000 mlies this is an extremely dangerous condition to down shift into low gear at hi way speeds.
I had an issue with the transmission lead frame where my vehicle downshifted from 5th to 1st gear which to me is a safety issue. Notified Ford and they said this was a customer satisfaction program that expires after 10 years. How is this not a safety recall?? this could be very dangerous if you were on the interstate and you’re going 70 mph, please help.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the rear wheels locked up. No warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v075000 (power train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 275,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, and the instrument cluster became inoperable. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autozone, where the contact borrowed a scanner to scan the vehicle. The contact retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating an output shaft speed sensor failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 19v075000 (power train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Transmission repairs, molded lead frame components due to sudden downshift symptoms from sixth speed, gear to fist speed gear while drive higher speeds and low speeds. $1,421. 00 repairs completed 9/10/2025, at hastings Ford, 3013 east 10th street, greenville, nc 27834, 800. 654. 3429. Doug henry Ford, 809 w. Wilson street, tarboro, nc 27886, 252. 823. 3145, knowingly sold this said vehicle as certified pre-owned 8/27/2025. Now additional concerns, issues have been discovered with said vehicle Monday, September 22, 2025, am, 1. Oil burning odor inside the passenger compartment. Vacuum pump gasket failure, allowing oil to drip onto the exhaust manifold hot engine parts, components. Valve cover gasket leaks. Safety consideration, due to symptoms, this vehicle is unsafe to operate, drive. Technical bulletins TSB’s were stated as issued from Ford motor company engineering service operations, Ford customer service division, mr. David j. Johnson, director, Ford motor company, po box 1904, dearborn, mi 48121, 800. 392. 3673. Symptoms include fuel dilution pcv system TSB 15-00003, addresses fuel odor inside the passenger cabin on ecoboost engines, this 3. 5 l v6 (dohc) turbocharged twin, pcv valve calibrations to reduce the fuel dilution in the engine oil. Oil leaks from the valve cover gaskets and turbo seals especially when accelerating and stopping said vehicle. Creating the oil dripping onto hot engine parts, components, causing the strong burnt oil smell within inside the passenger compartment while driving said vehicle. Intercooler condensation, 2011-2012 ecoboost 3. 5l v6 engine experiences intercooler condensation leading to above symptoms and causing stumbling while driving, operating said vehicle and misfiring, which also creates is accompanied by odors within passenger compartment. Safe concern, vehicle can cause, catch fire due to oil, fuel leak, seapage into related component areas, while driving, operating. Your serious attention please and the costs asso.
I was just told my 2012 F-150 molded lead frame needed to be replaced. I google this issue and it seems to be a major issue with f150 pickups spanning multiple years. I checked this site for recalls and my truck is not included in any of the recalls, butexists the same issue on different year models. The recalls need to be expanded as the fault is not a consumer caused issue but a design flaw by Ford and it's outrageously expensive!!.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that the power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with lead frame failure. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,400.
While driving, wrench light comes on dash and I lose ability to accelerate. Have to turn truck off and on again to clear this problem but then it will continue to come back. Unsafe as it downshifts to first gear while driving. Doing research online, this is a common problem with Ford f150 and you issued campaign 19n01 in 2019 - transmission molded leadframe extended coverage. Problem is, this just started happening to my vehicle, and it looks like this extended warranty would have expired in 2022 or 2023. I purchased the truck used in 2020, but never knew about this. And since I wasn’t having these issues till a few weeks ago, I would not have been covered. I am writing as there are numerous other drivers having this same issue now after the warranty expired, and are having to pay $1500-$4000 out of pocket to fix a known issue. This seems like it should be a recall fixed free of charge, no matter when it starts happening. Just because it happens now vs before 2022-2023 does not make the issue any less serious. This can still cause accidents. Is there any solution to having this covered by Ford? can the campaign be extended or just be turned into a repair recall?.
Suddenly downshifting into low gear. Recall not being accepted by Ford. Please help.
Vehicle rolls backwards or potentially forwards intermittently depending on direction of incline. Have only observed it rolling backwards. When changing gears, above third gear usually, there is a resonant grumbling sound.
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. My car loss all power electrical and power to the road, had to put off to the side on the road and turn the truck off and on again. The problem has been reproduced but not confirmed by a dealer. I have done a existential look of the under and power train and cant see everything out of place. Yes like every warning light when on seconds before all power when out. Has never done that before.
Vehicle is downshifting unexpectedly into 2nd gear. Rear tires momentarily lock up and the engine rpm’s go extremely high. This behavior is causing potential accidents to happen.
While driving on local roads travelling at approximately 30 mph truck downshifted unexpectedly into 1st gear. The message area in the instrument cluster had a large wrench image displayed. Proceeded slowly to the grocery store and went shopping. When I restarted the truck the wrench image was gone and the truck appeared to operate normally on the drive home but I drove slowly on back roads because I was afraid of what would happen if the issue occurred at highway speeds. The truck is available for inspection. I have not taken the truck to the dealer. This issue seems to be what the current NHTSA investigation is about.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact came to a stop and then while attempting to proceed, the instrument cluster showed a black screen, and the transmission independently downshifted to first gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact drove the vehicle in limp mode to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19v075000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Wrench light popped on downshift to first gear, speedometer goes to zero. My son and I driving down highway and it suddenly drops to first gear. Dealer said it sounds like transmission molded lead frame. Code reader says it's speed sensor which is in lead frame harness.
I am having safety related issues that are perfectly described in compliance recall notice "12c23". However, when calling a Ford dealership, or looking up the VIN myself, there is no open recalls on my vehicle. My truck was manufactured at the same plant as the recall, in the same time frame. The issues I am seeing are related to the transmission range sensor inside the lead frame. This causes my gear indicator to not work, starting difficulties, sudden shifts while driving, and reverse lights to not turn on when in reverse gear. These issues have been inspected and verified by an ase certified auto shop "north county auto" in oceanside, CA. This is firstly a safety issue that is recognized by Ford on the 6r80 transmission. Secondly, this is a very costly fix to come out-of-pocket. However, because my VIN does not reflect it as an open recall even though all symptoms are exactly the same Ford will not make corrective action. I think a revision needs to be made to the initial recall notice, and include more VIN numbers.
Sudden shift into first gear at any speed. Dash lights flickering between p,r,n,d. Tool light coming on dash.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the transmission occasionally struggled to get out of gear or was slipping. The contact stated that the “service vehicle soon” warning light remained illuminated, and the miles to empty was blank on the instrument panel; however, and the rpm gauge remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 121,600.
When slowing down the transmission slams down into a lower gear with a loud noise. It hits hard.
2012 Ford F-150 platinum, 154000 miles. My truck has the problem of un-commanded transmission gear change to a lower gear. It started a couple of years ago but it took me a while to identify the problem and when it happened. Once, I was traveling at 70mph and, all by itself, it downshifted into 1st gear. The truck lurched and made a loud bang. It also caused a minor control problem due to the change is gears at that speed. I took it to my local Ford dealer and they replaced the shift motor in the transfer case (at my expense), maybe in Nov 2024. It worked fine after that until my recent road trip, Mar 2025. The un-commanded shift happened again three times during my trip to GA from PA. I'm taking it back to Ford tomorrow. When this shift happens, there is a bang followed by a sudden slowing of the vehicle. It's somewhat scary to have the truck act in this manner.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the electric mirrors were moving in and out while driving without user input. Additionally, the taillights was turning on and off unintendedly. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the main power distribution box was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40-50 mph, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. The transmission slipped and downshifted to first gear. The contact was able to move over to the side of the road. The wrench warning light and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for a while. The vehicle was restarted and returned to normal functionality; however, the vehicle failed to get up to speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer weeks prior the failure for service. The contact was provided with the manufacturer's recall number: 19n01 and an unknown update was performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the nhsta hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,000.
I am the second owner of the vehicle and there were no disclosed repairs or issues provided at the time of purchased. The 2012 Ford F-150, is shifting sporadically and harsh. Throwing out code p0722. Which directly relates to the below previous recall. Recall reference number: 24s37. Issue: an intermittent failure of the output shaft speed (oss) sensor in the transmission can lead to an unintended downshift to first gear. Affected vehicles: some 2014 Ford F-150 models. Reason for recall: the abrupt downshift can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Potential codes: p0720, p0722, p0731 and/or p1500.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 5 - 10 mph, the vehicle went into limp mode. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dtc: p0720 (faulty output shaft speed sensor) was retrieved. The contact stated that the failure was related to customer satisfaction program: 16n02. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case and referred the contact to the nhsta hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
Check engine light came on p0720 output speed sensor.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The contact stated that the light for the speedometer went black and failed to illuminate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted after several minutes after each failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.