Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 F-150?
Avoid — the brakes
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced.
7 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
Brakes: 108 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 41,000–105,000 mi
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Ford F-150? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 617 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,211 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 264 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,202 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 197 owner reports
· tends to show around 81,502 mi · ~$700 to fix
brakes — 108 owner reports
· tends to show around 73,480 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 73,480 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
My vehicle has code p0722 for the output speed sensor. The problem description matches safety recall 16s19 but my VIN does not show up for this recall. It appears the recall needs to be expanded.
My f150 started to drop in to 1st gear unexpectedly when driving at at speeds greater than 50mph. At first the check engine light did not come on and mechanic could not find a source now I am getting engine codes p0720 and p0722. When I tried to investigate I found that this has…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH, there was a sudden loss of engine power and the vehicle began to shake violently. The check engine warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it…
Had a problem with your 2012 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 f-150 vehicles manufactured from november 6, 2011, through november 15, 2011
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-150 reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 1,717 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Ford F-150 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Ford F-150?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Ford F-150 is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 7 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Brakes: 108 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 41,000–105,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Ford F-150?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 617 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,211 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Ford F-150 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 1,717 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 93,211 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Ford F-150?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 617 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,211 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,211 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-150 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Ford F-150?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 1,717 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/F-150.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.