Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 approximately 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted from 7th to 6th gear, without warning. The contact pulled to the side of the road and shifted the vehicle into park(P) then back into drive(D). The contact stated that the transmission then selected 5th gear remained in 5th gear. The wrench warning light then illuminated. The contact stated that after arriving home, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to clear the codes and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the transmission continued to slip, causing the contact to continually clear the codes to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 10201087 (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle independently downshifted to first gear with several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused the vehicle to be rear ended by an 18-wheeler that was forced into the emergency lane to avoid rear-ending the vehicle. The contact pulled over and restart the vehicle and the transmission warning light illuminated upon restart. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights remained illuminated on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The contact called J.C. Lewis Ford Pooler (501 Memorial Blvd, Pooler, GA 31322) and J.C. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and jerked. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. The transmission slipped and downshifted to first gear. The contact was able to move over to the side of the road. The wrench warning light and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and waited for a while. The vehicle was restarted and returned to normal functionality; however, the vehicle failed to get up to speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer weeks prior the failure for service. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the odometer displayed dashes only, not numbers. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that previously the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train) and linked the failure to the recall. The contact stated that prior to the recall repair, the vehicle had experienced similar failures on several occasions. The dealer was contacted and informed that the failure had reoccurred. The contact was informed that previously the power train control module was reprogrammed and since the failure had reoccurred, maybe the power train control module needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the transmission unintendedly downshifted to first gear, causing the vehicle to skid. The power train warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the speedometer read "0" and the odometer was malfunctioning. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure recurred while driving. The contact pulled to the side of the road, turned off, and restarted the vehicle; however, the transmission was stuck in 2nd or third gear while driving. The contact was able to drive to the residence and parked the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the failure was related to the transmission molded lead frame; however, Ford Campaign Number: 19N01 had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
I was driving at approximately 30 mph when the transmission's OSS (Output Speed sensor) suddenly malfunctioned, causing an unexpected downshift into first gear. This abrupt shift led to a loss of control, resulting in a harrowing collision with a tree. What I witnessed next is etched into my memory forever: a scene of blood, fluorescent white bone fragments, and shattered glass strewn all around. Bones were even protruding through my skin at various locations, including my wrists, forearms, legs, and ankles, not to mention the dislocated shoulders. Thankfully, there were no other individuals present at the scene; otherwise, the outcome could have been equally disastrous, if not fatal, for them. Astonishingly, there were no discernible warning signs such as unusual sounds or dashboard warning lights prior to this incident. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, almost causing the wheels to lock up. The power train warning light illuminated, and the instrument cluster became inoperable; however, the tachometer was operational. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a PCM reprogramming was completed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the leadframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the leadframe replacement was not covered based on the manufactured date. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the transmission down shifted inadvertently, and the tires locked up and the vehicle skidded. The contact veered over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake lights failed to illuminate as designed. The wrench warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the wrench light disappeared. The contact stated that after driving for a few miles, the transmission downshifted, and the wheels locked up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission range sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The contact stated that upon adding fuel to the vehicle, the vehicle restarted and was drivable. The power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission lead frame failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered because Ford Campaign Number: 19N01 had expired. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from third gear to first gear. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road, and it was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The contact associated the failure with Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began March 4, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles.
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 681 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Ford F-150, 38% of the model year's 1,783 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-075 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Feb 11, 2019); NHTSA recall 16V-248 (automatic transmission, Apr 27, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 1 fire and 10 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.