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 been recalled on some 2012 Ford f150 but not mine. This is a serious safety issue and has cause unexpectedly down…
2012 Ford F-150 electrical problems
severe 106 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
106
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
7fires
When does it fail?
Of the 106 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 106 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I turned on the rear defrost and my passenger side of the rear window shattered. There was a loud noise when it happened. I was driving when this happened. The dealer and other Ford personnel have admitted this is a widespread problem - but no recall.
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Ford F-150?
It's a meaningful issue. 106 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 93 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 35,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 58,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.