Seven problems related to speed sensor 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.
Multiple times while in motion 45mph + (spontaneously) , orange wrench comes up on my dash, speedometer drops to zero, engine power is cut to almost nothing, and a few times at higher speeds 60mph +, the wheels lock due to transmission downshifting out of nowhere. This has happened on the loop, city streets, highways, it's random. I can only limp my way to a safe spot to pull over, turn engine off then back on and everything generally starts working again. Last night on a city road doing about 55mph it locked up again but refused to drop out of 5th gear though I was at a dead stop. Even turning the key of and on would not re set it. It finally got to 1st after messing with it and I got it home, hooked it to my obd2 reader and it is throwing a p0720 output speed shaft sensor malfunction code and my check engine light will not go off. I have attached a picture of the code it is now showing, and date of malfunction is most recent.
The wrench symbol comes on and the digital instrument screen goes blank and the transmission either gets stuck in 5th gear or will start off in 3rd and only shift through 5th gear. You can turn the truck off and restart it and most of the time it will reset and start off in first and the screen will return to normal. Unusually when this occurs when starting to drive again it will not shift out of first gear and at this time you have to disconnect the battery and reconnect after 15 seconds to regain mobility. I have replaced the pcm to no avail. The new pcm is registering a code now for the output shaft speed sensor which has had a recall in other 2011-12 f150 models. Through research and conversations on Ford truck forum's I have learned a lot of other people are having the same issue.
After experiencing a speed sensor failure in my Ford F-150, I took it to a local dealer to have the recalled part replaced (speed sensor/lead frame). They did not replace the part, instead flashed the sensor with new software. The next day, encountered a related issue, after taking it back, the service rep stated that it seems to be the lead frame and would be covered by Ford but did not off an additional appointment, advised to call back if the problem persists. I have continued having these issues. Issue: vehicle stops shifting, locks into the gear that it is in, speedometer stops working, all data goes blank and transmission acts like it slips. Then, stop the vehicle, turn it off, restart, then runs fine until next occurrence. After much much research and agreed discussion with the service rep at 2 different dealerships, it displays the exact symptoms of the lead frame which is mentioned in the recall issued related to this issue. 2 different dealerships have now refused to replace the part because the error code is not present when I get the vehicle there and that is because I have to get the issue to clear so I can continue driving it. I have also contacted Ford motor CO. Customer service and have had the issue escalated 3 times, each time they come back with a response "there are no current programs available to assist" even though there is a Ford issued recall issued in Feb. 2019. I have also waited for a week for a call back from the service manager but no response. The issue persists with no action from Ford. I am stuck driving my truck everyday in fear of being stranded and causing an accident. I have also sent an email to the general manager of peoria Ford in phoenix az and have yet to receive a response.
I was driving along rt. 837 highway on my way to work, going about 45 mph, when all of a sudden all of the gauges on my dash went blank and my speedometer went to zero. Then a big orange wrench appeared on my dash. The truck dropped into first gear and I had very little power. I was able to turn my hazard lights on and pull over to the side of the road without being rear ended. I ended up making it to work, which was about 3 minutes away, in first gear. After shutting off the ignition and restarting the engine all of the gauges were working again. I made it home fine that day and an advanced auto scan of the vehicle brought up no codes. Two days later I had the same problem occur on rt. 30 highway and I had a scan tool I had bought with me. I got 2 codes, (p0720, p0722) both relating to the output shaft speed sensor circuit.
On the evening of 2/14/19 while returning home from the car wash, my 2012 Ford F-150 suddenly downshifted into 1st gear from 6th gear while the vehicle was in motion. There was no loss of control as the road was dry and my speed was 40 mph. The next morning I called the service department at jack demmer Ford in wayne mi to speak with my service rep. He did not pick up and did not return my call despite my leaving a detailed message and calling again later in the day. On the morning of 2/19/19 while on the freeway at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle went into what I assume is "limp mode". It dropped from 6th to 5th gear and a wrench logo appeared in the message screen. There was no description of the problem, just a logo. When I got off the freeway, I realized that I no longer had 1st, 2nd, or 6th gear. I arrived at work and called the dealer immediately. They gave me a runaround about how an official fix was not available yet and asked me if I had tried turning the car off and back on again. After insisting repeatedly that something be done, I was told I could bring the truck in the have the power train module "reprogrammed". This was done at no cost but I was told this was all they could do for me at this time. The next day in the evening, the truck downshifted to second gear while I was on the freeway doing 55 miles an hour. The road was wet and starting to freeze. I nearly lost control of the vehicle but was able to regain control. The truck returned to normal after this. As of 2/20/19, no further contact has been made with Ford regarding the issue. I will be calling tomorrow to customer care about this issue and demanding a rental car until the vehicle is safe to drive. It is my understanding that this is related to recall 19s07. The transmission output speed sensor is reported to be losing communication with the powertrain control module, causing a downshift.
Tl the contact's father owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While the contact's father was driving unknown speeds up a hill or bridge, the vehicle felt as if it were dragging. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the output shaft speed sensor needed to be replaced and there was no signal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (charlotte county Ford, 3156 tamiami trail, port charlotte, FL 33952, (888) 699-4370) where it was diagnosed that the output speed sensor was not distributing a signal and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
This problem happens at all speeds but most recently while on the highway doing 70 mph my truck went into first gear and locked up my truck rear end. I slid onto the berm of the road and almost down a hill. The dreaded wrench light came on, the speedometer went inoperable, the airbag light came on and the truck went into sort of a limp mode and drove real weird. The code was a p0720 output shaft speed sensor. Of course my VIN was not included in the recall even though it is a 2012, built in dearborn with the same transmission as the recalled ones, go figure! I have an appointment with sharpnack Ford in willard ohio the day after tomorrow with the truck where I will pay $1000 to get the lead body in the transmission replaced. This is totally ridiculous that all VIN's for 2012 are not covered. I own three Fords and I am starting to wonder why!.