2012 Ford F-150 Driver assistance Problems

Our 2012 Ford F-150 truck had no issues and no dashboard lights when it randomly downshifted while driving and almost caused an accident. On Sat, May 9, 2026, my husband pulled onto the road and got up to 40 mph when the speedometer stopped working and the truck randomly downshifted. The car behind us had to swerve to avoid a collision. On Mon, May 11, 2026 we called the Ford garage they told us the Customer Service Program (#19N01) is no longer valid as it is over 10 years now. The truck only has 128,000 miles and we were never notified of a CSP when we purchased it in 2020. The Ford Customer Service Representative said the CSP was issued in 2019 but we purchased the vehicle in 2020 and were never notified of an issue. I now have a $1,500 repair bill for the leadframe that Ford will not reimburse us for and also see that they still have NUMEROUS transmission and speed control issues with their vehicles. I opened a case with Ford on May 14, 2026 [XXX] ) but their representative Iomar was not helpful. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11737912

Incident

May 9, 2026

While driving at any speed, 55 , 65 my truck downshift to 1st gear. It locks up the back tires and the truck starts squealing. And sometimes while driving it just jumps into limp mode into 3rd or 5th gear and it wont come out of 3rd or 5th gear. I do understand there is a recall for this but Ford is telling me my truck is not included in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11716784

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

The vehicle experienced repeated and unpredictable loss of drivability while in operation. The transmission intermittently disengages and the gear indicator rapidly cycles between Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive without driver input. During these events, the vehicle loses propulsion and becomes unsafe to operate in traffic. Warning messages and instrument cluster anomalies were observed prior to and during the failures, including erratic dashboard behavior. The issue has occurred multiple times and is reproducible. The condition appears to be related to a known safety recall involving the transmission lead frame / powertrain control system. The failure creates a serious safety risk due to sudden loss of power and inability to control vehicle movement, especially in traffic or while stopped at intersections. The vehicle is not safe to drive and has been removed from regular service. Diagnostic data, video evidence, and photographs documenting the failure and warning indicators are available upon request. The manufacturer has been notified and a recall case has been opened, but the defect has not yet been resolved. The vehicle remains unrepaired at the time of this report.

NHTSA ID

11710829

Incident

Nov 25, 2025

My truck started experiencing the notorious Ford "limp mode" needs lead frame replaced. Ford has a customer satisfaction program directly related to this issue but though its 20k under their 150k limit it is over 10 yrs old so they are not honoring anything or doing anything about covering and cost associated. Pretty crappy of ford.

NHTSA ID

11703577

Incident

Nov 28, 2025

- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? IGNITION SWITCH, TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE MODULE, MISFIRE CYLINDER 3, TPMS SENSOR LIGHT WITH NO TPMS FAILURES, SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE WITHOUT FORCE OR HAVING TO TRY AND ENGAUGE THAT GEAR MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR AND BLINKERS IN-OP. "SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC" WARNING ON DISPLAY. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? VEHICLE NO START, LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, LOSS OF ABS SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR ON FIRST TRY AND INTERMITTENT DIRECTIONAL FUNCTION. - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? PROBLEMS CAN BE EASLIY REPRODUCED - ISSUES PRODUCE MIL/ DTC EVEN AFTER CODES HAVE BEEN CLEARED INTERMITTENTLY. OPERATION OF DIRECTIONALS VARIES ON EACH START UP. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES, MULTIPLE ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? YES. MIL'S INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: B10F1:14-0A, P0303:00AF, P0316:00-2F, C1963-20, U0428-F0, B1B48:01-8A, U0401:68-08, C1B00:62-0B, U0428:20, C1278:20 AND B1596:20. DASH WARNINGS DISPLAYED: "SERVICE ADVANCED TRAC", "TIRE PRESSURE LOW", "CHECK 4X4", TRACTION CONTROL DASH LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED, TPMS LIGHT FLASHES AND STAYS ILLUMINATED, TRUCK MUST ROLL TO ENGAGE PARKING GEAR, BRAKE LIGHT WILL STAY INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED, ROUGH IDLE, VEHICLE WILL NO START INTERMITTENTLY, INTERMITTENT LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ABS, INTERMITTENT LOSS OF DIRECTIONALS, KEY FOB AND DOOR LOCK SWITCH WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT TRIGGER OR TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM. THE DOORS WILL OPEN BUT ECU/PCM THINKS THE VEHICLE IS LOCKED BUT DOORS OPEN AND TRIGGERS ALARM. LOCK BUTTON ON FOB AND DOOR LOCK SWITCH WILL NOT OPERATE.

NHTSA ID

11700330

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

I was proceed up to 45mph, when back tires started sliding. I rolled the truck and damage my ribs, was pined for 1.5hrs lost a $80k+

NHTSA ID

11680004

Incident

Jan 16, 2024

Wrench light popped on downshift to first gear, speedometer goes to zero. My son and I driving down highway and it suddenly drops to first gear. Dealer said it sounds like transmission molded lead frame. Code reader says it's speed sensor which is in lead frame harness.

NHTSA ID

11661970

Incident

May 18, 2025

Sudden shift into first gear at any speed. Dash lights flickering between p,r,n,d. Tool light coming on dash.

NHTSA ID

11659761

Incident

May 8, 2025

I am the second owner of the vehicle and there were no disclosed repairs or issues provided at the time of purchased. The 2012 Ford F-150, is shifting sporadically and harsh. Throwing out code P0722. Which directly relates to the below previous recall. Recall Reference Number: 24S37. Issue: An intermittent failure of the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor in the transmission can lead to an unintended downshift to first gear. Affected Vehicles: Some 2014 Ford F-150 models. Reason for Recall: The abrupt downshift can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Potential Codes: P0720, P0722, P0731 and/or P1500

NHTSA ID

11647962

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Check engine light came on p0720 Output speed sensor

NHTSA ID

11635980

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while reversing, the back-over prevention camera image was displayed on the wrong side of the screen, creating a visibility hazard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the camera unit was faulty and needed to be replaced. The backup camera was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 250,000.

NHTSA ID

11631184

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

Mileage

250,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera image was blue. The local dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11627518

Incident

Jul 26, 2024

Mileage

60,000 mi

It shifted out of gear into first. It wouldn’t pull giving it gas didn’t help I was lucky I wasn’t injured when it shifted. A wrench flashed on dash board when it jumped gears.

NHTSA ID

11625828

Incident

Oct 18, 2024

Driving home at approx.50 mph my f-150 Ford downshifted into 1st gear for no reason? Locking up the rear tires and slamming me forward. I put in my vin number and found my truck is not part of Ford's recall for f 150's 2011 thru 2014. I don't know why it's not part of the recall ? The recall 19So7 describes what happened exactly. Ford said the Dealers fixed this by reprogramming the tcu or transmission control module. I believe there is damage to the transmission. I took it to Goode Ford in Burley,Idaho they said it has too many miles they would not even look at it ?

NHTSA ID

11625568

Incident

Oct 30, 2024

I have a 2012 f 150. I am the second owner of this truck. going down the road a wrench appears on my dash board. The issue seems to be Safety recall notice 16s19/ NHTSA recall 16v-248. The software update was done in 2019. The problem started 4-5 months ago. Ford tells me they dont have to fix the problem now because the it is out of the extended warranty they put on the vehicle. They admit there is a problem but won't fix it. I am driving a unsafe vehicle. I think they should. I drive my grandchilden to school in this truck. do i have any recourse?

NHTSA ID

11617347

Incident

Feb 2, 2024

Transmission lead frame module needs replacement. Truck will not shift properly and the wrench light illuminated on dash; I took it for an assessment and it was determined that the lead frame module was bad. I found a safety recall for the lead frame module for my truck for which I never received any correspondence about and would like to have it investigated.

NHTSA ID

11596036

Incident

Jun 9, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11595333

Incident

Jun 18, 2024

Truck down shifts randomly while driving and does not shift when it is supposed to on take off the RPMs go up 3 something. You can stop turn truck off and it starts to work again for 1 or 2 take offs then does it again.

NHTSA ID

11587411

Incident

Apr 27, 2024

Speed control/transmission goes out while driving which results in my speedometer dropping down to zero and my RPMs going up. I have to completely shut my vehicle iff and wait a moment to restart it. Sometimes it fixes it and sometimes it doesn’t. It happens quite often, not everyday but several times a week.

NHTSA ID

11584282

Incident

Dec 21, 2023

The wrench light on the dashboard comes on I loose all speedometer readings and mpg. The transmission will not go ro 6th gear or down shift past third gear the transmission also jerks and rpms go up really high. This occurs going down the interstate or anywhere really if I turn the truck of and restart it the warnings will go away but later come back

NHTSA ID

11564789

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

While driving down the highway, a wrench appeared on the display, then the speedometer went down to zero and the truck wasn’t shifting or accelerating. I took it to the Ford dealership and the diagnosed it as an issue with the Leadframe sensor assembly. They also let me know this is a known issue and there was an extended warranty program that my vehicle is over mileage for. The repair cost estimate was $800 for parts/labor. They also stated that the part is on back order and may be a month before they could get it. When I asked about driving with the issue they said it won’t do damage to my transmission but may intermittently cause shifting issues and could result in loss of reverse. I don’t feel comfortable driving it like that but it is my only vehicle. I also contact Ford customer care directly but there was nothing they could do to assist and pointed me here.

NHTSA ID

11546985

Incident

Sep 27, 2023

Transmission downshifts during normal driving conditions on highway. There is a recall for this defect. Recall #1901(transmission). Called Ford on 9.6.23 and spoke to employee #219738 and Ford refused to correct known defects.

NHTSA ID

11542889

Incident

Aug 28, 2023

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. Following the accident, my pickup truck was towed to Cedar Park Wrecker, only to be swiftly claimed by the insurance company and subsequently sent to auction within a matter of days.

NHTSA ID

11542085

Incident

Sep 20, 2018

Driving on freeway and truck downshifted and almost control, orange wrench was on display, speedometer stopped working and I could barley get to 30 mph...finally was able to pull off freeway...turned -off...waited and turned back on...engine light was on...it drove alright for alittle bit, than it downshifted to first and would shift had to pull over and shut it down again and restart...made it home...next day took to AUTO ZONE...Code reads P0720 OSS SENSOR FAULT...Ford had a SAFETY RECALL19S07 for trucks 2011-2013 ...I did not receive any letter for that or the Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01...same issue and cannot drive my truck, it is unsafe...had to drop-off at FORD Dealership to repair and update software on transmission...it should be repaired at no charge, having to pay for Rental.

NHTSA ID

11528605

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

Illuminated wrench light followed by malfunctioning speedometer, cruise control, & turn signal cancellation. Delayed and no gear shifting including an unexpected transmission downshift to 1st gear occurring at 40 mph: rear wheels locked up, engine revved to redline, had to put hazard flashers on and shut engine down in heavy moving traffic. Finally Check Engine/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL); later reading P0720 code.

NHTSA ID

11512943

Incident

Mar 20, 2023