2012 Ford F-150 Engine Problems

Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear make the motor damaged

NHTSA ID

11715277

Incident

May 16, 2025

i dropped my ford truck off for a recall that was done only three months ago and it had an extended warranty (Recall campaign number 19S07/19V075 sudden downshift powertrian control module programming) with it but it didnt fix the problem. when i picked up my truck after them keeping it for two weeks and telling me they had no loaners, they tried to say nothing was wrong with my truck and tried to charge me a $169 diagnostic fee and never even fixed the recalled downshifting transmission problem. But when I am driving it will just downshift almost causing the truck to jerk rapidly to a complete stop. This has almost caused an accident and ford wouldn’t even try to fix it and because I refused to pay for a service I did not request they told me to never come back. My appointment was made online and clearly stated the info about the recall repair not being done right on July 12th 2025. So now I don’t know how to rectify this transmission problem

NHTSA ID

11702625

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

Driving along I-94, 2012 F150 downshifted immediately from 5 gear to 1 gear. There was no previous issues and no warning lights and codes. Caused significant drive issues and had to pull immediately to side of busy highway. Caused immediately backup and believed to have caused back up accident. After taking to dealership was told it was my Molded Lead Frame. Which had been under an extended warranty BUT since my vehicle is older than 10 years and over 150,000 it is not under warranty. Ford knows about the issued due to the extended warranty issued. However, that warranty still is not effective in taking a MAJOR defect off the roads.

NHTSA ID

11702299

Incident

Oct 23, 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

Wrench icon came on, truck wouldn’t shift out of first gear, speedometer and mileage stopped working. Lead Frame recall according to my mechanic, $2,000 fix out of pocket. Truck only has 140,000 miles but is a 2012 so Ford says I’m outside of the free recall replacement. Had no problems at all until over 135,000 miles, ridiculous that this is paid out of pocket when issues don’t arise until after the approved date

NHTSA ID

11693634

Incident

Oct 8, 2025

When I was driving on the highway I was going about 65 mph in 6th gear and then without warning my 2012 Ford f150 3.5 truck shifted all the way down to 1st gear which almost caused me to wreck on the highway and other cars to almost slam into me. Now when I try to drive the truck it keeps throwing a wrench and the wrench blinks and my truck will not shift hardly at all between the gears. After I have researched this issue I see that there has been 4 recalls and a few CSP notices for the make and modle of my truck. The recall numbers are #19V075000, 12V190000, 16V248000, 12V198000 and the CSP campaign number is #16N02 regarding the lead frame issue that causes the extreme downshift. I contact the ford dealership to try and get this fixed and they said there is nothing they can do to help me.

NHTSA ID

11692444

Incident

Oct 9, 2025

Transmission Repairs, Molded Lead Frame Components Due to sudden downshift symptoms from sixth speed, gear to fist speed gear while drive higher speeds and low speeds. $1,421.00 Repairs completed 9/10/2025, at [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX] . [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX] , knowingly sold this said vehicle as Certified Pre-OWNED 8/27/2025. Now additional concerns, issues have been discovered with said vehicle Monday, September 22, 2025, AM, 1. Oil burning odor inside the passenger compartment. Vacuum Pump Gasket Failure, allowing oil to drip onto the exhaust manifold hot engine parts, components. Valve Cover Gasket Leaks. Safety consideration, due to symptoms, this vehicle is UNSAFE to operate, drive. Technical bulletins TSB’s were stated as issued from Ford Motor Company Engineering Service Operations, Ford Customer Service Division, Mr. [XXX] , Director, Ford Motor Company, [XXX] , [XXX] . Symptoms include Fuel Dilution PCV System TSB 15-00003, addresses fuel odor inside the passenger cabin on EcoBoost engines, this 3.5 L V6 (DOHC) Turbocharged Twin, PCV Valve Calibrations to reduce the fuel dilution in the engine oil. Oil leaks from the valve cover gaskets and turbo seals especially when accelerating and stopping said vehicle. Creating the oil dripping onto hot engine parts, components, causing the strong burnt oil smell within inside the passenger compartment while driving said vehicle. Intercooler condensation, 2011-2012 EcoBoost 3.5L V6 engine experiences intercooler condensation leading to above symptoms and causing stumbling while driving, operating said vehicle and misfiring, which also creates is accompanied by odors within passenger compartment. Safe Concern, vehicle can cause, catch fire due to oil, fuel leak, seapage into related component areas, while driving, operating. Your serious attention please and the costs asso INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11690419

Incident

Aug 27, 2025

While driving, wrench light comes on dash and I lose ability to accelerate. Have to turn truck off and on again to clear this problem but then it will continue to come back. Unsafe as it downshifts to first gear while driving. Doing research online, this is a common problem with Ford F150 and you issued campaign 19N01 in 2019 - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended coverage. Problem is, this just started happening to my vehicle, and it looks like this extended warranty would have expired in 2022 or 2023. I purchased the truck used in 2020, but never knew about this. And since I wasn’t having these issues till a few weeks ago, I would not have been covered. I am writing as there are numerous other drivers having this same issue now after the warranty expired, and are having to pay $1500-$4000 out of pocket to fix a known issue. This seems like it should be a recall fixed free of charge, no matter when it starts happening. Just because it happens now vs before 2022-2023 does not make the issue any less serious. This can still cause accidents. Is there any solution to having this covered by Ford? Can the campaign be extended or just be turned into a repair recall?

NHTSA ID

11680080

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the cam phasers and timing chain had failed, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not covered under a recall or warranty. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

NHTSA ID

11676663

Incident

Jul 14, 2025

Mileage

67,000 mi

The cam phasers are in need of changing. Ford has acknowledged they are aware of the problems with the 3.5 Ecoboost engine but will not take responsibility and repair them. I definitely can not pay for this type of tepair

NHTSA ID

11671812

Incident

Mar 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain and valve had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

NHTSA ID

11666719

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

Mileage

151,000 mi

Engine coolant over temperature condition. Cylinder head overtemperature condition. Engine air filter restriction pending. Ceased running boards/ rusted. Broken suspensions and bad tie rods. Bluetooth doesn’t connect sometimes. Engine or turbo making loud noises when accelerated.

NHTSA ID

11656639

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

2012 f150 3. 5L Ecoboost engine. Had the all too well known rattle at start up because of failed to ing components/timing chain stretched. Repair cost me 5k dollars and failed AGAIN after only 4000 miles. Got code for timing being over-retarded. Took to dealer that initially did the job. Were supposed to repair at no cost to me, in my opinion anyway. Then they send me a video and tell me something else with the timing was the issue. When I called back to confirm, the story changed again that they never replaced the current failed part in the first place. All these engines have the same problem spanning numerous years and not my truck is being held hostage because they want another 15,000 from me for a new engine! 20,000 for a remanufactured engine is crazy! Please help owners and investigate this issue with Ford Ecoboost engines!

NHTSA ID

11655004

Incident

Feb 20, 2025

ECM automatically downshifts to fifth or third gear. The picture uploaded is a picture while driving on interstate.

NHTSA ID

11654009

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

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 was provided with the manufacturer's recall number: 19N01 and an unknown update was performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 175,000.

NHTSA ID

11650740

Incident

Mar 18, 2025

Mileage

175,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated when the vehicle started, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with failed variable camshaft timing (VCT) cam phasers. The contact was informed that the VCT cam phasers and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11650151

Incident

Feb 24, 2025

Mileage

74,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the air conditioner had seized, and the pulley from the engine was damaged and had detached from the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11648816

Incident

Mar 13, 2025

Mileage

130,000 mi

This truck is a safety hazard! The waterpump had to be replaced due to overheating, plus numerous other engine issues. it only has 137,000 miles on it But the REAL safety hazard is the power steering goes out at random times. and when this happens the dash goes blank. This has happened 4 times and each time we were lucky it was not on a busy highway, and close to home. The mechanic did everything he knew to do, and when we got it back....It did it again!!! Now, supposedly it is fixed, and we drove it home with no issues.....but...again, they are random, and I am scared to drive the truck. Will it take someone getting killed for this recall to happen? I have seen numerous post about this happening to others. I live on a winding back road, and if the power steering went out, I dont think it would end well. We are thinking of selling it, but I cant in my heart sell it to someone knowing these issues, and if we trade at a dealership, they will find numerous problems and never give us what it is worth, even though these problems are not from neglect

NHTSA ID

11612131

Incident

Jun 28, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11609798

Incident

Aug 20, 2024

Mileage

187,000 mi

Driving at approximately 40-50 mph and it suddenly downshifted to 2nd gear, stopping the truck. This was the first time this happened. Recall 19s07 was performed on 05/03/2019 that supposedly fixed and prevented this from happening.

NHTSA ID

11596923

Incident

Jun 24, 2024

Driving down the road at 60 mph and heard a boom pulled over and seen oil coming out of motor and a pulley was broken off of the timing housing of the motor putting a hole in motor where pulley used to be. (Did some research ford 2011-2012 do not have supports on engine housing where pulley mounts but the newer 5.0 motors do have the supports to stop motor from breaking where pulley mounts I will include photos below the new supplied replacement part has supports) This has happened to multiple people

NHTSA ID

11596661

Incident

Jun 1, 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

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the cam phasers. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 156,000.

NHTSA ID

11592830

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

Mileage

156,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended, prompting the contact to attempt to jump-start the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power train control module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who then diagnosed an additional failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ID

11586810

Incident

Feb 26, 2024

Mileage

168,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal sound emanating from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 (Lead frame Extended Coverage). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID

11585076

Incident

Apr 20, 2024

Mileage

137,000 mi