2012 Ford F-150: jerking or lurching

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Steering · NV

The component involved is the Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system. It intermittently fails and returns unexpectedly, causing sudden changes in steering effort and jerking of the steering wheel. This creates a serious safety risk because vehicle control can change without warning, especially at highway speeds. The steering system (rack and pinion/EPAS assembly) has been replaced twice, but the issue persists. Replaced parts are not available for inspection. No manufacturer inspection has confirmed a permanent fix. This failure puts my safety and others at risk due to unpredictable steering behavior and potential loss of control. Other owners have reported similar EPAS failures, including sudden loss of steering assist, near-collision events, and accidents documented in public complaint records. The vehicle has received repeated repairs for this issue, including two rack and pinion replacements, without resolution. No police or insurance inspection has occurred. Warning symptoms include intermittent steering assist loss, sudden changes in steering resistance, and inconsistent steering feel. These occur without consistent warning, making the failure unpredictable and dangerous. This appears to be a recurring defect in the EPAS system that has not been reliably resolved through repair attempts or existing recall actions.

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Engine · FL

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

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 175,000 miles · LA

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.

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Transmission · PA

2012 Ford F-150 Platinum, 154000 miles. My truck has the problem of un-commanded transmission gear change to a lower gear. It started a couple of years ago but it took me a while to identify the problem and when it happened. Once, I was traveling at 70mph and, all by itself, it downshifted into 1st gear. The truck lurched and made a loud bang. It also caused a minor control problem due to the change is gears at that speed. I took it to my local Ford dealer and they replaced the shift motor in the transfer case (at my expense), maybe in Nov 2024. It worked fine after that until my recent road trip, Mar 2025. The un-commanded shift happened again three times during my trip to GA from PA. I'm taking it back to Ford tomorrow. When this shift happens, there is a bang followed by a sudden slowing of the vehicle. It's somewhat scary to have the truck act in this manner.

Filed Dec 23, 2024 · Transmission · CO

On 17 Dec 2024, I drove my 2012 F150 truck down a busy road (Powers Blvd). As I was accelerating to the speed limit of 45mph, the truck suddenly slammed into first gear and redlined the RPM gauge before the whole front dashboard went dead. As The truck suddenly slowed down, the seat belt grabbed my shoulder and held me back from the dashboard. Luckily all the traffic was to my right and the car behind me was a stoplight away. If this was later in the day, I have no doubt the truck would have created a multi-car accident. The truck remained in 1st gear as I slowed my speed and within a short time frame - maybe 20 seconds, the truck jerked into another gear. I brought the truck to a nearby parking lot and turned it off. I searched online and identified that there were recalls for this very item. Within an hour I called the Ford dealership and explained the issue, and they set me an appt a short time later. I drove the truck to the dealership and dropped it off and about an hour later they reproduced the issue. Ford found DTC P0722 for the output speed sensor, monitored data, and confirmed failure. I asked what about the recalls and Ford told me that none had been approved for my truck’s VIN. They gave me an estimated cost of $1900.00 to repair the issue, which I approved. The sensor is part of the Lead Frame, they removed the lead frame, removed the main control body, and replaced it as appropriate. They cleared the codes and test-drove the truck. The vehicle or component had not been inspected before this event. There were no warning lights, messages, or indication of any issues prior to this event. The truck has 85332 miles on it and maintenance is performed routinely by a local professional garage.

Filed Jul 22, 2024 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from 4th gear to 1st gear. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2024 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently downshifted and an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked and decelerated. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle to the residence; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Acceleration, Transmission · MO

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

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

The vehicle would down shift aggressively into first gear. The speedometer and gear displays would not function showing 0mph while driving. The vehicle would move through gears erratically. Driver and passengers would be jerked forward.The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Ford dealer. There were no indicator lights at the start of the issue. Indicator light appeared after multiple incidents spanning over a few months .

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Brakes, Transmission · 165,982 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted and jerked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised him to take the vehicle to a transmission specialist. The vehicle was then taken to the transmission specialist, who diagnosed that the molded leadframe and wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was included in the Customer Satisfaction Program: 16N02 (Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage) however, the mileage was over the warranty coverage. The failure mileage was 165,982.

Filed Sep 5, 2022 · Engine · NC

The issue that is wrong with this vehicle matches a previous recall that Ford has put out for the same year, make, model. However, this vehicle was excluded from the recall. The recall is 19S07 for the other vehicles. This recall needs to be extended to more than just the 1.2 million vehicles that were recalled. This issue is common in this vehicle, even in ones that were not included in the call. This is a Ford issue, not a customer/owner issue. It caused my vehicle to lose control of the speedometer, it dropped to zero. It caused my vehicle to get stuck in a gear and not be able to move out of it. This causes a safety issue for not only myself but other vehicles around. It can cause car accidents due to the sudden jerking and decrease in speed. I have had this issue diagnosed by a Ford dealer AND independent transmission shop. The issue gives no warning and pops up randomly. People’s lives are at risk. EXTEND THE RECALL!!!!!

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · WA

After starting the vehicle and putting it into drive, the vehicle would not shift out of 1st gear. RPS revved nearly to red-line and even when I removed my foot from the gas pedal, the revs remained high. Even when underway, the speedometer registered 0 MPH and the odometer was showing only dashes "-------------". After a short time, the wrench symbol appeared on the display and the airbag warning icon was illuminated. I pulled over and turned the truck off and back on and it operated normally. No error codes were stored and my service shop will not work on it since it is not happening all the time. On a different occasion about a week ago, I was driving up a residential street incline and the truck was not shifting from 2nd gear. I pressed the accelerator more and all of sudden the truck shifted extremely rough jerking myself and my passenger unsafely. After this the truck stuck in gear, displayed the wrench symbol and illuminated the air bag warning icon. This looks to be highly related to Ford Safety Recall 19S07 but my truck is not covered by this recall.