2012 Ford F-150: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jun 27, 2024 · Transmission · 99,000 miles · PA

The contact's wife owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered and vibrated while shifting from 3rd to 4th gear. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 25-35 MPH, the transmission failed to downshift and was stuck in 4th or 5th gear; requiring that the accelerator pedal be depressed harder for the transmission to shift out of the gear. The contact stated that the vehicle then responded by accelerating abruptly, nearly causing a crash. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered while shifting from 3rd to 4th gear, and then shifted into 5th gear. The vehicle then downshifted into first gear unexpectedly, and the rear wheels locked-up, causing the vehicle to skid and to stop on the side of the road. The contact attempted to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear. The contact stated that he disconnected and reconnected the battery temporarily and was able to resume driving; however, the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was test-driven, and the failure was replicated. The mechanic provided videos and pictures of the transmission fluid leaking at the bellhousing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times with videos of the transmission leak, but the dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2018 · Steering · 107,000 miles · TX

The power steering assist totally cut out without warning in the middle of a turn out from a parking lot on to a 6-lane highway. I was not able to complete the turn. The truck shuddered very roughly as the power steering failed. Luckily there were no other cars on the road at the time. If there were, one would have hit me and it would have been bad. I turned the A/C off and my power steering came back. It has not happened again yet. But I am very concerned that it will happen again. I hope that this report, if supported by many more from other owners, may point to a larger problem, if one exists.

Filed Jan 25, 2018 · Engine · 32,210 miles · NH

Multiple occurrences of shudder/jerking on 3.5l ecoboost engine; exact symptoms as described in the federal safety agency id#10051923, 10052207, 10053407, 10052790, 10052788, 10058096, and 10058115. All of these investigations have been closed with ford issuing tsb's, but dealers claim ignorance, ignore copies of the tsbs and refuse to perform repairs under drivetrain warranty. This is a safety problem as failure to accelerate entering an interstate highway has almost cost me two collisions. Apparently the federal safety agency is as useful on complaints/investigations as fcc is on do not call list complaints. Opened a case with ford, response is they cannot force dealers to perform tsbs under warranty. All three occurrences of this problem were after driving at highway speeds for a minimum of two hours in damp conditions under hard acceleration; two were when re-entering highway from left lane service areas in nj and md. After 1st two times a dealer in md replaced two ignition coils at my expense claiming coils were not covered by drivetrain warranty. Most recent occurrence was 1/1/18, local dealer in nh ignored ford tsb 12-10-19 when given a copy and said "these trucks just burn coils and spark plugs". I was charged a diagnostic fee again and nothing was replaced/fixed as I refused to pay approx. $600 to replace drivetrain parts.

Filed Jan 24, 2017 · Engine · 69,500 miles · OH

During medium to heavy acceleration, the engine starts shuddering and vibrating ..if you let off the gas, it calms down a little but still runs rough until you come to a stop. Then at idle, it seems to correct itself. If you continue to accelerate through the vibration, it shakes and shudders more violently and doesn't quit until you come to a stop. It appears ford has issued a tsb for this issue but will only cover the cost if it is still under warranty.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Engine · 15,352 miles · WA

In heavy rain conditions after driving for 2 hours in the pacific northwest here in the state of washington, the truck ecoboost turbo stalled and lost power during an acceleration onto a freeway on ramp. Intermittent check engine light and partial limp mode occurred. Dealer misdiagnosed the problem as a loose connection when in fact it was the known stall/shudder issue that multiple ecoboost motors on f150s are experiencing in rainy damp conditions. Severe safety issue if you are trying to pass on a two lane highway and you lose power while trying to pass.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Engine · 51,853 miles · WA

In heavy rain conditions after driving for 2 hours in the pacific northwest on the I-5 the truck ecoboost turbo stalled and lost power during a passing situation of a large 18 wheeler. I was driving at 60 MPH, and attempted a pass, but was unable to pass due to power loss, shudder, and limp mode. Intermittent check engine light and partial limp mode occurred. This is the known stall/shudder issue that multiple ecoboost motors on f150s are experiencing in rainy damp conditions. Severe safety issue if you are trying to pass on a two lane highway and you lose power while trying to pass a logging truck and someone follows you and you get only half way. This is the second incident I have had with this truck. Dealer did a tsb that involved reprogramming the PCM and removing a deflector shield. This fix seems like a band aid, and ford should be doing a complete redesign of the turbo cooler intake.

Filed Jul 13, 2016 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · IL

I have shuddering goin on somewhere in the drive shaft, transfer case and the transmission. I just got it back from ford where they told me they could not fix it. And on the way home I hit a bump on the highway and the shudder almost ran me into the car next to me. I am feeling very scared to drive it, I feel like it's gonna fall apart. I've had it into ford many times for this problem and others and to no avail, they can't fix it. I'm ready to file a lawsuit over this. Please help. Thanks

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Engine · 75,000 miles · TX

The vehicle will lose power and begin to shudder. Cold starts it will shudder and RPM will bounce from 400 to 1100. Will lose power in turns and while stopped. Dealer has had the vehicle 3 times and cannot find a problem.

Filed Jan 3, 2016 · Engine · 56,000 miles · SC

When driving in humid or when moisture is present such as rain or mist the engine shudder, shakes, misses and even shuts down when quickly accelerating. I have had the engine completely loose power when merging onto freeway in heavy traffic. I took it to the dealer once when it was under warranty. They said the catalytic converter needed replaced. Of course I didn't drive in humid or raining environment conditions again until the warranty ran out. I have experienced the engine shut down at least 4 times since I bought the vehicle new. Almost crashed twice when passing or merging when engine shut down. The date entered below was the last time the problem occurred. First time was march 2013 when vehicle had about 16,000 miles.

Filed Dec 30, 2015 · 109,500 miles · NC

Upon hard accelaration the engine will begin to shudder, vibrate, and misfire. Usually happens when it is raining.

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 60,000 miles · TX

I purchased a new 2012 ford f150 platinum 4x4 ecoboost truck in june 2012. Around 2014, I experienced a complete loss of power and major shaking or shuddering when I went to pass a vehicle in the highway. I thought it was a misfire issue and called the ford dealer I purchased it from. They asked at the time if it was consistent and I said it was not. They advised that I should just keep an eye on this and that I had an extended warranty. I was told to bring it in if it continued. I have also done a good number of all maintenance related check ups and services with the ford dealership I bought the vehicle from. It happened a few more times over a 1 year period. I changed the spark plugs as I thought it was a misfire but it continues to happen. The last episode nearly resulted in a collision. I took my vehicle to a ford dealership near my home and they tested it. Computer reading says it is a p04300 - bad inner cooler. Fix is $1700 per dealer (new inner cooler, new catalytic converter, new boots, new plugs and adding a shield) but that since I am now at 88k, emission warranty ended at 80k and I have no financial support from ford. I advised I was never told about an emissions warranty and that this is not my driving or mileage issue and that ford acknowledges this is a design flaw in the charge air cooler and had a redesign. This is a major safety issue and if ford recognizes this as their design flaw and is now happening to my ford vehicle, I need them to help accept this as a warrantable item and accept the repair from the dealership. Please assist. Kindest regards.

Filed Jan 12, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · PA

2012 f150 ecoboost engine.loss of power and truck shuddering when accelerating at highway speed from possible misfiring. Service engine light came on also, but turned off soon after event. Took to dealer to check, dealer said to change spark plugs and boots. Dealer did not mention previous or current technical service bulletins for this.