2012 Ford F-150: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · WI

- 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.

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Steering · 114,800 miles · MI

Power steering suddenly failed and the service advancetrac light came on while accelerating from a stop sign and turning left. Maneuvered the car down the street and couldn't navigate the driveway so I backed up and the power steering began working but the advancetrac light remained on. This light came on before but with no effect to the steering only the blinkers, which would not stay on. Disconnected the battery and light and problem went away. Spoke with the dealer and was told that it was also connected to the ABS braking system and to schedule an appointment if these happens again. 114800 miles.

Filed Apr 30, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 33,500 miles · TX

When I start the truck I have to let it idle and warm up for about five minutes. If I do not let the truck warm-up and I put it in gear the brake pedal is very firm and the truck will not stop. The brake pedal pulses like the ABS system is kicking on but the truck will not stop. Recently, the truck will not stop if cruise control is turned on. If cruise control is on and I push the brake pedal the brake pedal is very firm and cruise control will not turn off and the truck will not slow down. I have to manually turn off cruise control from the steering wheel and then the brakes will work again. I was driving down interstate 44 in oklahoma when I tried to hit the brakes and the truck did not stop. Before I left on the road trip I let the truck warm-up so that the brakes would work when I first left the driveway.

Filed Apr 17, 2016 · Driver assistance, Steering · 60,000 miles · TN

Vehicle is displaying "service advancetrac" error message when vehicle is turned sharply left or right. When the error message comes on, the turn signals do not function properly. The driver must hold the turn signal switch to activate turn signals anytime needing to change lanes or turn off roadway. Vehicle error has been checked by servicing dealer and an update was performed to ABS module to attempt to fix the problem, but explained that a possible need to replace the power rack and pinion to resolve the problem. I am afraid that the power rack and pinion is going to fail and cause me to have an accident, or the turn signals not functioning properly is going to cause an accident. Ford needs to issue a safety recall to fix this failing part in the 2012 f150 model line.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · KY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard without warning. The vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The ABS activated even though the road surface was dry. The vehicle resumed normal operation, but the brake warning indicator was illuminated. There were no injuries. The front bumper sustained minor damage. A police report was not filed. On five separate occasions, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Brakes · 51,000 miles · MA

When vehicle is started with a foot on the brake, and then put into gear, the brake pedal depresses completely and the ABS system then kicks in to assist in stopping. The result was that there was a defect in the brake system's vacuum pump, which also blew the fuse for it. Under my extended warranty, the dealer replaced the vacuum pump, although not the fuse which caused a subsequent trip to the dealership as the problem did not seem to have been resolved.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 47,980 miles · RI

2012 ford f-150 ecoboost came off warranty in april, on july 2nd I started the truck, put it in gear (drive), and had no brakes. There was a grinding noise as if the ABS was trying to engage. I had to practically stand on the brake pedal to stop the truck and put it back in park. Pumped the brakes a few times and tried it again same thing. I shut off the engine, turned it back on, and let it warm up a few minutes. Now it was ok. From then on when the truck started cold it has done this on a regular basis. Good thing I found this before I reached any speed, and while there was no cargo in the bed to add inertia. I did some research and reported to ford that the brake vacuum assist pump was likely corroded, and that this was a known issue on 2011-2013 f-150 ecoboost models. They needed a ford technician to make the diagnosis, which I was charged $100 for (to determine that I was right). They also reported a bad fuse for the pump. I am hoping nobody is trying to say that with a bad fuse these pumps will disintegrate in three weeks of summer weather? Let's be honest- the bad pump took out the fuse, if the fuse was blown. They estimate a ~$900 repair. I opened a ticket with ford motor company because this event exactly matches the federal safety agency preliminary investigation item pe15026. People with these trucks or anyone around them could get seriously hurt if the driver cannot react quickly or panics when this part fails, and it is a poorly designed part. Apparently this part was re-engineered for 2014 and later models. At the time of this writing I am hoping I can get some help from ford. I am a long time customer and have had no prior issue with the dealership or their service department. This is a manufacturing quality issue, pure and simple. I just wanted to report in order to make sure that this case was included with the others related to pe15026... Updated 09/30/15

Filed Jun 26, 2015 · Brakes · 31,400 miles · SD

No braking while backing out of garage. Heard ABS motor engage while pushing on brake pedal. Took three 'pumps' on pedal for normal braking to return. Took vehicle to ford dealer and they replaced brake vacuum pump assembly under warranty. Problem has returned as of 06-24-2015.

Filed Jan 6, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 42,704 miles · CA

On december 19, 2014 at a traffic light the instrument cluster, turn signal and power steering stopped working on my 2012 ford f150. This is after the advance traction warning light came on. I had it towed to a ford dealer. The ford dealer updated and reprogramed the ABS module. After getting the vehicle back on december 22 the power steering, turn signal, and instrument cluster problem reoccurred as it was not repaired correctly. I returned the vehicle to the ford dealer on december 22. This time they found a faulty pscm (power steering control module) that was losing communication once hot. They replaced the power steering gear assembly and applicable hardware. This vehicle only had 42,704 miles when this problem occurred.