FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
The 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 1,717 owner complaints, and gets about 15 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD at a glance
- Engine
- 8-cyl 6.2L
- Cylinders
- 8
- Displacement
- 6.2 L
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 12, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 12, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
1,717 filed- 617
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle rolls backwards OR potentially forwards intermittently depending on direction of incline. Have only observed it rolling backwards. When changing gears, above third gear usually, there is a resonant grumbling sound.
- 248
ENGINE
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
- 197
STEERING
My truck started to skid as I was making a left turn. I wasn't going fast enough to skid. I then noticed the idiot light was on so I took it in for an estimate. I was told that the truck needed a power steering rack and the cost would be
- 108
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle shook abnormally. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The check engine warning light was i
- 106
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the
- 94
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 t
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 12, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★☆
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★☆☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 12, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 15 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 13 / 18
- Est. fuel / yr
- $4,150
- CO₂ / mi
- 592 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 12, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the power train
Owners report problems with the power train more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD at 15 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway), about $4,150 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD? +
Owners have filed 1,717 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford F150 Pickup 2WD, including 37 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.
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