2012 Ford F-150: transmission slipping

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Transmission · IL

On XXX, I brought my 2012 Ford F-150 (VIN: [XXX]) to an authorized dealership (Ed Morse Ford Geneseo) to complete mandatory safety recall 19S07 (Molded Lead Frame Software Update). The vehicle was fully operational, shifting safely, and completely functional upon arrival. Immediately upon completion of the safety recall software flash, during the direct drive home from the dealership, the transmission suffered a total mechanical failure. The vehicle began slipping, chattering, and downshifting violently, rendering it completely undrivable and unsafe on public roads. It required an emergency tow to a repair facility. A formal diagnostic inspection by a certified transmission specialist confirmed that the transmission computer contained absolutely zero diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), establishing that the failure was a direct result of electronic fluid-pressure shock caused by the dealership wiping the adaptive shifting strategy module during the recall software installation. The dealership and Ford Corporate (Case ID: # XXX) have summarily denied liability and refused to remedy the vehicle, claiming it constitutes an out-of-warranty mechanical wear issue. This explanation is invalid as the failure occurred immediately following a federal safety intervention. To restore essential transportation, I was forced to pay an independent automotive facility $5,984.00 out of pocket to replace the ruined transmission assembly. Ford's safety recall update directly caused a severe mechanical failure, creating an immediate highway safety hazard and subsequent heavy financial damage. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · 130,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the electric mirrors were moving in and out while driving without user input. Additionally, the taillights was turning on and off unintendedly. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the main power distribution box was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed May 30, 2025 · Transmission · 121,600 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at various speeds, the transmission occasionally struggled to get out of gear or was slipping. The contact stated that the “Service Vehicle Soon” warning light remained illuminated, and the miles to empty was blank on the instrument panel; however, and the RPM gauge remained illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 121,600.

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 Oct 25, 2024 · Transmission · 179,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission was slipping between gears. The vehicle unexpectedly downshifted while driving 70 MPH. The contact stated that the wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The gear message turned on and off while driving. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and determined that the failure was due to the speed output sensor. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there was no recall coverage for the failure on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who opened a case and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2022 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the transmission downshifted from 7th to 6th gear, without warning. The contact pulled to the side of the road and shifted the vehicle into park(P) then back into drive(D). The contact stated that the transmission then selected 5th gear remained in 5th gear. The wrench warning light then illuminated. The contact stated that after arriving home, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to clear the codes and the vehicle operated as needed. The contact stated that the transmission continued to slip, causing the contact to continually clear the codes to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 10201087 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired due to the contact needing to clear the codes in order to drive the vehicle to the dealer; however, removing the trouble codes would prevent the dealer from performing the Customer Satisfaction Program. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 118,000 miles · AZ

After experiencing a speed sensor failure in my ford f-150, I took it to a local dealer to have the recalled part replaced (speed sensor/lead frame). They did not replace the part, instead flashed the sensor with new software. The next day, encountered a related issue, after taking it back, the service rep stated that it seems to be the lead frame and would be covered by ford but did not off an additional appointment, advised to call back if the problem persists. I have continued having these issues. Issue: vehicle stops shifting, locks into the gear that it is in, speedometer stops working, all data goes blank and transmission acts like it slips. Then, stop the vehicle, turn it off, restart, then runs fine until next occurrence. After much much research and agreed discussion with the service rep at 2 different dealerships, it displays the exact symptoms of the lead frame which is mentioned in the recall issued related to this issue. 2 different dealerships have now refused to replace the part because the error code is not present when I get the vehicle there and that is because I have to get the issue to clear so I can continue driving it. I have also contacted ford motor co. Customer service and have had the issue escalated 3 times, each time they come back with a response "there are no current programs available to assist" even though there is a ford issued recall issued in feb. 2019. I have also waited for a week for a call back from the service manager but no response. The issue persists with no action from ford. I am stuck driving my truck everyday in fear of being stranded and causing an accident. I have also sent an email to the general manager of peoria ford in phoenix az and have yet to receive a response.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Brakes, Transmission · 122,000 miles · PA

Driving 75mph towing boat. Truck shifts into 1st gear. Redlined engine, many noises, slipping transmission, step on pedal to accelerate, it goes to 5k before shifting. Almost caused major highway disaster. Now my family is afraid to ride in vehicle. Also when first start up no brakes. Recalls where done for both , did not fix either.

Filed Jul 28, 2018 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · TN

Transmission frame rail trouble codes indicate a frame rail problem that had a recall but this VIN is not included in the recall. Transmission slips intermittently and also has gone into limp mode on occasion.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · AL

Despite not being included in the recent recall, my 2012 f-150 suddenly downshifted while cruising at 45-50mph, resulting in a dangerous sudden slowdown and lurching forward on busy city thoroughfare. Two days later, a sudden stop resulted in a temporary check engine light. Dealer diagnostics indicated the leadframe connector needed to be replaced. This is the same repair covered under the current recall that does not include the production that my truck was a part of. Approximately 1 month prior, the truck was taken to the dealership for erratic shifting at slow speeds, but the issue was not able to be diagnosed at that time. Instead, a transmission flush and slip-yoke lubrication were recommended.

Filed Sep 25, 2017 · Transmission · 106,300 miles · CT

On 9/24/17 traveling at approx. 40 MPH on a straight section of a rural state road the vehicle suddenly shifted to 1st gear with no action from the driver. The rear wheels skidded until the vehicle slowed down. It was a sunny warm dry day. Prior to this incident I have noticed on about 4 occasions recently that proceeding from a stop the transmission would shift from 1st gear directly to 5th which made it seem like the transmission was slipping, the vehicle would have little to no acceleration, it would need to be stopped, then would proceed normally. Ford has 2 customer satisfaction safety recall programs: 16n02 and 16s19 that were created to correct the exact issue that I describe and apply to 2011 and 2012 f-150's that were built in dearborn between 2/11/11 and 9/8/12. My f-150 built in dearborn on 8/19/12 which is between the date range. Both the ford dealer and ford customer service have told me that the truck is not part of the program when they search the VIN #. It appears that one or more vehicles experiencing this vetted problem are still out there with unsafe defective components. At this time ford is unwilling to make the repairs.

Filed Apr 14, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 94,450 miles · MI

While attempting to pass a slow moving vehicle on a two lane road, the engine on my truck started sputtering, then lost speed and power very rapidly. At that point the check engine light started blinking and the truck almost stalled. Fortunately I was able to pull into a parking lot and avoid other drivers. Had an oncoming car been too close, or had I not had a parking lot to pull into, there was a strong possibility I would have had an accident. I have had this happen to a lesser degree in the past, but not to the extent I experienced above, nor did the check engine light ever start blinking. At the time I passed this off as being bad gas, my tires slipping or some other issue and thought no more of it. At this point I don't want others to get put into the same situation, which could result in someone getting hurt. Because reports of this happening to trucks of the same year, make, model and engine I felt compelled to file this complaint.