Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Ford F-150 powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Ford F-150 have filed 617 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 91,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
617
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 F-150 | 42 |
| 2009 F-150 | 30 |
| 2010 F-150 | 111 |
| 2011 F-150 | 755 |
| 2012 F-150 (this page) | 617 |
| 2013 F-150 | 1,188 |
| 2014 F-150 | 335 |
| 2015 F-150 | 191 |
| 2016 F-150 | 318 |
9crashes
1fire
8injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 617 powertrain 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
Powertrain accounts for 36% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 617 powertrain 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage In some of the affected vehicles, an output shaft speed (OSS) sensor failure may result in an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) and/or wrench light in the instrument cluster with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0720, P0722, P0731 and/or P1500 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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.
In motion, transmission slams into lower gear while slowing down.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission downshifted to first gear causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was corrected. The contact stated that the failure progressed, and the transmission would no longer shift gear as needed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…
I have a 2012 F-150 that has a recall under 16N02, it has happened more and more frequently where the transmission will die and go into a sort of "limp mode" and will not shift out of first gear. Will show a wrench and engine codes on the instrument cluster. I have now taken it into my local ford dealership where they said they cannot find any codes nor will they fix the said recall unless the…
I have had multiple times where my truck transmission randomly and unexpectedly either drops out of gear or downshifts while moving. The speedometer also drops to zero while I am still moving. At least once this has happened after I pulled onto a street with plenty of time, but because I lost power, it nearly caused an accident. All incidents have been on city streets so far at low speeds. I…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 617 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 495 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 56,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.