YearToAvoid

2012 Ford F-150 Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 204 steering complaints for the 2012 Ford F-150, 11% of all complaints for that model year, tied to 3 crashes and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure was 72,000. No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this component on this year.

Steering complaints
204
11% of 1,781
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
72,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the electric power-assist steering (EPAS) intermittently stops assisting during turns, causing the truck to turn slowly or not at all before the assist suddenly returns.
  • Owners describe a knock or nibble felt through the steering wheel while driving straight, worsening as outside temperature rises.
  • Some owners report the steering wheel locking up entirely while the vehicle was in motion.
  • Vibration or shaking felt through the steering wheel at highway speeds, in some cases progressively worsening as speed increases.
  • Clunking or thunking noises from the front end felt through the steering wheel over bumps or uneven surfaces, sometimes linked to uneven front tire wear.

When 2012 Ford F-150 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 31, 2012, latest Aug 31, 2026.

2012 Ford F-150 steering complaints: complaints filed per quarter122012 Q32014 Q42016 Q32018 Q22020 Q12022 Q12024 Q22026 Q3
204 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q3 (12).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Ford F-150

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by F-150 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201048 (6%)
  2. 2011419 (19%)
  3. 2012204 (11%)
  4. 2013216 (7%)
  5. 2014159 (10%)
  6. 201583 (5%)
  7. 201664 (3%)
  8. 201759 (4%)
  9. 201883 (4%)
  10. 201921 (2%)
  11. 20208 (1%)
  12. 202141 (4%)
  13. 20229 (2%)
  14. 202316 (4%)
  15. 20244 (2%)
  16. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Ford F-150?
NHTSA lists 204 steering complaints for the 2012 Ford F-150, which is 11% of the 1,781 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2012 Ford F-150?
The data provided does not list any related recalls for steering on the 2012 Ford F-150.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2012 F-150?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2012 F-150 is 72,000 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.
Were there any crashes linked to steering complaints on the 2012 F-150?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes and 1 injury associated with steering complaints for the 2012 Ford F-150, with no fires reported.
How does 2012 compare to other F-150 years for steering complaints?
The 2012 F-150 had 204 steering complaints (11% share), lower than 2011's 419 complaints (19% share) but higher in share than most years from 2015 onward.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.