Known Recalls

Model year record

2012 Ford F-150

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,588 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V075000

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
1,263,051
Reported to NHTSA
2019-02-11
Owners notified
2019-03-04

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V248000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected
153,581
Reported to NHTSA
2016-04-27
Owners notified
2016-09-16

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

Safety risk

An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V190000

Exterior lighting: back up lights

Component
Exterior lighting: back up lights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
10,500
Reported to NHTSA
2012-05-03
Owners notified
2012-06-11

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR WHEN THE DRIVER PUSHES THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE REVERSE “R” POSITION AND THE VEHICLE’S TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE “R” MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, OR NAVIGATOR MODELS AND/OR THE BACKUP LAMP ON THE REAR OF THE F-150, EXPEDITION, NAVIGATOR, OR MUSTANG VEHICLES MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. THESE CONDITIONS INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK DUE TO THE VEHICLE’S NOT SIGNALING IT IS IN REVERSE.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V198000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
101
Reported to NHTSA
2012-05-03
Owners notified
2012-05-30

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011. INCORRECT SOFTWARE FOR THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MODULE (OCSM) WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES EITHER AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING OR DURING THE COURSE OF REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AS PART OF A SERVICE REPAIR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE OCSM MAY MISCLASSIFY THE PASSENGER SEAT’S OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR DEPLOYS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT.

Safety risk

A FAILURE TO DEPLOY, FAILURE TO DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR A DEPLOYMENT WHEN NOT INTENDED, INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCSM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train73191,000 mi
Engine49924,991 mi
Steering21072,000 mi
Vehicle speed control20430,000 mi
Electrical system16562,000 mi
Unknown or other13772,600 mi
Service brakes12557,000 mi
Visibility/wiper9560,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system8633,235 mi
Air bags3847,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)3660,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline3518,000 mi
Suspension2179,500 mi
Structure: body2078,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1721,000 mi
Wheels1549,500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1356,000 mi
Exterior lighting1053,212 mi
Power train: automatic transmission9135,000 mi
Seats920,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear939,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer8174,000 mi
Tires812,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic7112,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch590,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly524,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system445,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs4100,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel388,800 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights3130,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: lock3147,000 mi
Seat belts3120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring3149,960 mi
Tires: sidewall330,058 mi
Traction control system352,000 mi
Visibility345,000 mi
Back over prevention260,000 mi
Electrical system: software21,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system270,000 mi
Structure222,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables182,000 mi
Electrical system: horn166,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch137,589 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: fuel gauge1—
Electrical system: propulsion system: fuses, relays, contacts, and shunts1170,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring167,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1161,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor111,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump173,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1104,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft163,362 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1165,982 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1136,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1105,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel /handle bar: yaw/angle sensor1141,000 mi
Structure: body: door164,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1151,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal12,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window: electrical heating element168,500 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer178,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices168,500 mi

The 2011 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.