Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150°F (65°C) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPM. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise tick rate can be faster or slower and is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Ford F-150 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Ford F-150 have filed 264 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 26,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
264
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 F-150 | 59 |
| 2009 F-150 | 40 |
| 2010 F-150 | 83 |
| 2011 F-150 | 271 |
| 2012 F-150 (this page) | 264 |
| 2013 F-150 | 254 |
| 2014 F-150 | 94 |
| 2015 F-150 | 153 |
| 2016 F-150 | 204 |
3crashes
2fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 264 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 264 engine 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.
Among the 17 model years of Ford F-150 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2011-2021 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150F (65àâÂÂC) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPMs. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long term effects on the engine. This an operating characteristi
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This SKU is a Turbocharger. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the sealing plugs. If the plug isn't sealing properly it may lead to a oil leak. If the oil leak persists it can lead to the oil check light coming on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This SKU is a Turbocharger. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the sealing plugs. If the plug isn't sealing properly it may lead to a oil leak. If the oil leak persists it can lead to the oil check light coming on.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough that it prevents installation of the OE dipstick.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 was diagnosed that the coils and plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-150. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the engine warning light illuminated. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, each time the vehicle was restarted, the…
I have a 2012 Ford f150 ecoboost, when accelerating in rainy conditions the vehicle loses power and begins to vibrate. The problem doesn't correct itself until the engine is shut off and restarted. This is approximately the 10th time this has occurred since the beginning of this year. I have brought the vehicle in for repairs on four separate occasions and had both tsb's performed the only fix my…
This is the 2nd (and 3rd, 4th, 5th) instance of a problem I originally described in odi 10659481. Again, after traveling on the interstate for a few hours in very light rain, the engine failed to accelerate normally while merging into traffic from an on-ramp. This created a very hazardous situation, with traffic bearing down on us from behind at approximately 75 MPH and steady traffic also in the…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2012 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 264 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 223 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 9,785 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 26,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,785; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.