VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford F-150 transmission problems

The 2012 Ford F-150 has 673 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 28% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

673

Transmission complaints

28%

Share of year

12

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

F-150 transmission complaints by model year1,330 complaints1978: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 10 complaints1989: 9 complaints1990: 15 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 30 complaints1993: 50 complaints1994: 64 complaints1995: 81 complaints1996: 29 complaints1997: 156 complaints1998: 88 complaints1999: 84 complaints2000: 47 complaints2001: 79 complaints2002: 53 complaints2003: 63 complaints2004: 245 complaints2005: 114 complaints2006: 48 complaints2007: 59 complaints2008: 51 complaints2009: 33 complaints2010: 123 complaints2011: 819 complaints2012: 673 complaints2013: 1,330 complaints2014: 408 complaints2015: 345 complaints2016: 522 complaints2017: 494 complaints2018: 940 complaints2019: 677 complaints2020: 310 complaints2021: 283 complaints2022: 150 complaints2023: 146 complaints2024: 51 complaints2025: 23 complaints
F-150 transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

19V075000TransmissionFebruary 11, 2019 · 1,263,051 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

16V248000TransmissionApril 27, 2016 · 153,581 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

What owners report

“AS I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK WENT CRAZY ON MY DASH EVERY ELECTRONIC READING WAS WACK OUT OF COMMISSION SPEED WENT TO ZERO ON MY ODOMETER AND FROM SIX SPEED TO 1 MY TRUCK WOULD NOT RUN ANY FASTER BUT MY RPM GUAGE WAS SKY HIGH UNTIL I REALIZED I HAD TO PUT MY TRUCK IN NEUTRAL TO PULL OVER TO TURN OFF MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 8, 2021 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Ford F-150 have?

NHTSA has 673 complaints about the 2012 Ford F-150 transmission — 28% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Ford F-150 transmission?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 16V248000, 19V075000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.