FORD F-150 2009-2012 : SOME TRUCKS WITH A 9.75 TRACTION LOK REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY MAY EXHIBIT, DURING TIGHT SLOW TURNS, VIBRATION, CHATTER OR A SHUDDER.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Ford F-150 suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Ford F-150 have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 88,900 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 F-150 | 9 |
| 2009 F-150 | 3 |
| 2010 F-150 | 14 |
| 2011 F-150 | 10 |
| 2012 F-150 (this page) | 13 |
| 2013 F-150 | 13 |
| 2014 F-150 | 8 |
| 2015 F-150 | 9 |
| 2016 F-150 | 15 |
When does it fail?
Of the 13 suspension complaints filed for the 2012 Ford F-150, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
FORD 2009-2014 F150: SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING , DAMAGED 4X4 FRONT PINION BEARING DAMAGE IS NOTED DURING THE REPAIR OF THE FRONT AXLE ON 2009-2014 F150 VEHICLES UNITS OPERATED IN SEVERE COLD CLIMATES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: ON SOME TRUCKS, THERE IS NOISE (CHIRP, CLUNK, BOOM) COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER, WHEN TRAVELING OVER SHARP, SMALL BUMPS (POTHOLES, FROST HEAVES OR EXPANSION JOINTS, AND MORE APPARENT DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. MODEL 2010-2014 F-150.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, FLUID IS PRESENT ON SHOCK ABSORBER SHAFT TO BODY INTERFACE OR THERE IS WETNESS AT REAR RESERVOIR SNAP RING AND NO REPLACEMENT SHOULD OCCUR, SINCE SHOCK WEEPAGE IS NORMAL. MODEL 2010-2014 F-150 RAPTOR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAS FLUID OR WETNESS AT REAR RESERVOIR SNAP RING AND WEEPAGE OR LEAKAGE IS NORMAL AND WILL NOT HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT TO LIFT OF SHOCK ABSORBERS OR SUSPENSION. MODEL 2010-2013 F-150.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Immediately following an oil change, my truck began making insanely loud grinding noises. I attempted to drive from knoxville to chattanooga and barely made it to cleveland. My truck stalled, started back up and I coasted into a parking lot. It would not go over 50. I then found a massive puddle of oil underneath where I parked. The truck was taken to jiffy lube.
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2012 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 58,000 and 137,000 miles, with the median around 88,900. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 137,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.