2012 Ford F-150 MPG
The 2012 Ford F-150 gets 12–17 mpg in the city and 16–23 on the highway (13–19 combined), across the 15 versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 3.7-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 19 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive and is rated 13 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2011 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | Regular · 468 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 3.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD FFV | 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD FFV | 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 555 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 2WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Raptor Pickup 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular · 684 g CO₂/mi |
| F150 Pickup 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular · 684 g CO₂/mi |
2012 Ford F-150 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2012 Ford F-150 costs about $3,440 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (19 mpg combined), or roughly 23 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (13 mpg combined) comes to about $5,030 a year, $1,590 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2012 Ford F-150 specs
2012 Ford F-150 buyers could choose between 4 engines, according to EPA records: 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo, 3.7 L 6-cyl, 5.0 L 8-cyl and 6.2 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a standard pickup truck.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L turbo | 6 | Automatic 6-spd; Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive; Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 3.7 L | 6 | Automatic 6-spd; Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive; Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 5.0 L | 8 | Automatic 6-spd; Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive; Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 6.2 L | 8 | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive; Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
2012 Ford F-150 problems
Owners have filed 1,784 complaints about the 2012 Ford F-150 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Power train is the most-reported area (28% of component mentions), followed by engine (20%) and steering (8%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 118 complaints a year: fewer than the 2011 (136 a year) and the 2013 (213 a year).
That ranks 11th of 17 Ford F-150 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 1,784, 40 mention a crash, 14 a fire and 23 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 684 | 28% |
| Engine | 483 | 20% |
| Steering | 205 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 195 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 173 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 124 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 119 | 5% |
| Visibility/wiper | 95 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 84 | 3% |
| Air bags | 38 | 2% |
| Visibility | 37 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 36 | 1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 36 | 1% |
| Structure | 24 | <1% |
| Suspension | 19 | <1% |
| Wheels | 19 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 12 | <1% |
| Tires | 12 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | <1% |
| Seats | 9 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 3 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 2 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in 4th or 5th gear, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into 1st gear. …
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. …
While Driving power steering failed, in addtion this complaint is noted on numerous Ford formums and websites for my year and model truck.
2012 Ford F-150 recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford F-150.
The most recent, campaign 19V075000 from February 2019, concerns power train.
Power train accounts for 3 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
12V198000 · May 3, 2012 · Air bags
Problem: INCORRECT SOFTWARE FOR THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MODULE (OCSM) WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES EITHER AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING OR DURING THE COURSE OF REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE AS PART OF A SERVICE REPAIR. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE OCSM MAY MISCLASSIFY THE PASSENGER SEATS OCCUPANT SUCH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD, DOES NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR DEPLOYS WHEN IT SHOULD NOT.
Risk: A FAILURE TO DEPLOY, FAILURE TO DEPLOY AS INTENDED, OR A DEPLOYMENT WHEN NOT INTENDED, INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCSM FREE OF CHARGE.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | F-150 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V075000 | February 11, 2019 | Power train | 2011–2013 |
| 16V248000 | April 27, 2016 | Power train | 2011–2012 |
| 12V190000 | May 3, 2012 | Exterior lighting, Power train | 2011–2012 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 6 versions of the 2012 Ford F-150; the best overall score is 4 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Supercab PU/EC 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Super Crew PU/CC 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Supercab PU/EC 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Super Crew PU/CC 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Ford F-150s can be compared fairly. Among other 2012 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 (18 mpg) and 2012 Ram 1500 (16 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 17 | 324 | 18 | 2 |
| 2010 | 17 | 843 | 49 | 1 |
| 2011 | 19 | 2,193 | 136 | 6 |
| 2012 | 19 | 1,784 | 118 | 4 |
| 2013 | 19 | 2,991 | 213 | 3 |
| 2014 | 19 | 1,538 | 118 | 8 |
| 2015 | 22 | 1,739 | 144 | 14 |
Every Ford F-150 model year compared →
Similar 2012 models
FAQ
Is the 2012 F-150 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2012 Ford F-150 has 118 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (11th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 4 stars and up to 19 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2012 F-150 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are power train (684), engine (483) and steering (205). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2012 F-150 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 F-150 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 13–19 mpg combined (12–17 city, 16–23 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 F-150 per year?
About $3,440 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $5,030 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).