Is the 2012 Ford F-150 reliable?

The 2012 Ford F-150 has 2431 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Ford F-150?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (673 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (499 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (204 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Ford F-150?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

Is the 2012 Ford F-150 often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Ford F-150: above-avg. HLDI insurance loss data suggests higher-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Ford F-150?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Ford F-150 is approximately $1,567/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Ford F-150

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Ford F-150 has 2431 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 1726. The most common issue is transmission problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: when accelerating the truck bogged. rpm of engine increase truck did not. let off gas and depressed truck began to shake violently. attempting to merge on interstate. had to pull over and shut truck off to return to normal. this has happened several occasions. i have documented each time it has . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 19 fire reports filed.

19 fire reports 41 crash reports 25 injuries

2431

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

673 complaints

28%

• WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRUCK BOGGED. RPM OF ENGINE INCREASE TRUCK DID NOT. LET OFF GAS AND DEPRESSED TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ON INTERSTATE. HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT TRUCK OFF TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE DOCUMENTED EACH TIME IT HAS
• WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 FORD F150 4X4 WITH THE ECOBOOST MOTOR TO WORK ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY I EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING ISSUE: AFTER CRUISING FOR ABOUT 20 MILES AT 65MPG I ATTEMPTED A PASS OF SLOWER MOVING TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 80MPH DURING THE PASS THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED AND THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY DOWN SHIFTED THREE GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AFTER WAITING TEN SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEAL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 12 crashes

“WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRUCK BOGGED. RPM OF ENGINE INCREASE TRUCK DID NOT. LET OFF GAS AND DEPRESSED TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ON INTERSTATE. HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT TRUCK OFF TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE DOCUMENTED EACH TIME IT HAS ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Ford F-150

Based on 2,012 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 59K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

614

30-60K

402

60-100K

487

100-150K

350

150-200K

129

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 449 reports

0-30K

251

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 163 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 111 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 78K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)11/02/2019

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.

Fix: 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.

Above-average theft risk

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Ford F-150

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,567

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1567

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-150 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2012 F-150, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 2431 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRUCK BOGGED. RPM OF ENGINE INCREASE TRUCK DID NOT. LET OFF GAS AND DEPRESSED TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ON INTERSTATE. HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT TRUCK OFF TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE DOCUMENTED EACH TIME IT HAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ENGINE MISFIRE, SHUDDER, BOGGING. TSB DIDNT FIX. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS A KNOCK OR NIBBLE THAT IS FELT IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM , THIS IS VERY NOTICEABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON DAYS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70F. AS THE TEMP INCREASES THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUES INCREASE. IT IS FELT AS IF THERE IS A MAJOR COMP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE TRUCK ENGINE ALMOST DIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE, MAINLY WHEN I ACCELERATE QUICKLY AS IN TRYING TO PASS A CAR. IT COULD EASILY GET SOMEONE KILLED. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR COME UP WITH A FIX BEC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)