Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle that failed to stop at a red light. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact stated that he had suffered minor injuries to his jaw but had not sought medical attention. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 320,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle downshifted with the check engine, transmission, and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The contact also noticed the vehicle had gone into LIMP Mode after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lead frame failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
Summary VIN [redacted] Airbag light continues to come on after beinig serviced multiple times by the dealer. 1)1-4-18 the airbag light turned on. The dealer completed $1,180.82 in repairs replacing the RCM. 2)11-6-18, a second issue occurred with the air bag light. Cost was $943.46 to replace the seat belt tensioner 3)11-12-18 CAS 16338506. On 11/23/18 the case was still under review. On 12/14/18 I was told the case was closed with no action taken. Escalated case CAS [redacted]was created. 4)4-30-19 - same issue as #2. 5)2-11-20 RCM replaced again. As the repair was 1 month out of warranty I paid $106.52 after negotiations with Ford Service Representative. 6)3-23-20 $635.88 (less ~ $200 for battery) Told by dealer a loose pin at a connector was the cause. 7)1-2-2021 Air bag light on again. …
I went to Maplecrest Ford in Uni n New Jersey to resolve this recall which is to include a Lead Frame replacement because the truck dropped gears and I almost crashed thanks to this recall they refuse to fix the issue only state to me they reprogrammed what was to be done and they said the rest is not their issue because the title is salvaged. Whether or not the title is salvaged it is their responsibility to fix the issue so that other drivers myself and my family are safe . I'm really upset simply because they just want to charge for these recall services when it is there obligation to fix for all involved safety.Im addition this vehicle has a airbag recall of which they also refused to fix so if I'm driving this airbag can deploy and who knows what damage can be be done not only to myself on the road but others as well .
Hello, this is an update to ref 11396297 Since the last incident 1-3-21 letter, I have had 3 more air bag related codes: 10-24-21 B1211 Restraint contol module code 10-24-22 B11D8 Restraint contol module code 1-28-23 B1211 Restraint contol module code, air bag light on. Dealer has done about $2600 in repairs and the issue(s) continue. I have written to Ford again (Attached) Please update your file, and please let me know if you have any new information on regarding Ford F150 air bag issues. Thank you, Pete
Over a couple years had several occasions where the air bag light came on. First time was in 2017 and several times through 2021. See repair reports. Sometimes the light went out on its own, sometimes the dealer couldn't find anything and cleared the fault or just cleaned the contacts. Finally in August 2021 the light came on and stayed on and the dealer had to replace the Restraint Control Module. It was unclear if the air bag system was functional over these numerous faults and months. Very expensive repair.
My truck would shift gears and I would feel a kick. Then the speedometer would drop, and the airbag sensors would turn off. At times the dealership states it is an issue with the Transmission Lead Frame.
I had just purchased this well-used 2012 F150XL [redacted] ) because well into retirement at [redacted] and officially handicapped, it was all I could afford and had to get a personal loan for it anyway. First thing was a Lake Keowee Ford (REFLASH RECALL) which was performed and within a few days, everything electrical stopped and the battery started draining overnight over and over. The truck would not start, the column shifter was locked in Park and I could not even push it clear of a carport for a tow truck. With endless research, I find that this Shift Interlock failure is very, very common on these trucks of all related years and mileages. Below is a quote from a site: According to a survey, more than 75000 complaints reported against this problem across the USA in the last 15 to 17 years. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Ford f-150. While at a complete stop, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle was pushed under an eighteen wheeler. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The vehicle that crashed into the contact continued to drive, sideswiped another vehicle, and crashed into a pole. The police and fire department were called and a police report was filed. The contact had to be transported to the hospital by helicopter with a shattered jaw, a neck bone injury, cuts and bruises under the chin and inside the cheek, and inflamed lungs and kidney. The front passenger sustained fatal injuries. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the driver side of a second vehicle causing significant damage to the front end. During the incident, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver suffered neck, back and leg injuries and the passenger suffered contusions and trauma to the chest area which required medical attention. The contact mentioned that the driver of the second vehicle died during the crash. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000...updated 03-16-15 updated 03/26/15 updated 04/02/15 updated 7/29/15 updated 9/19/2017
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 f-150 vehicles manufactured from November 6, 2011, through November 15, 2011. Incorrect software for the occupant classification system module (ocsm) was installed on the vehicles either at the time of manufacturing or during the course of replacement of the module as part of a service…
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Ford F-150, 2% of the model year's 1,783 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford F-150 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-198 (sensor/control module-inactive, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-150 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries and 2 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.