FordF-1502012Overview/ford/f-150/2012/base/
150 platform

2012 Ford F-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 F.

Body TRUCK

The 2012 Ford F-150 is a full-size truck on the 150 platform, calling for 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Its reliability record includes 1,717 owner complaints and four recalls, with the powertrain as the top concern. Compared to the model's complaint history from 1990 to 2009, where the 1997 model year peaked at 2,991 complaints, the 2012 model sits below that high point, though the powertrain issues still warrant attention.

Model year2025202420232012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 750 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 750 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height66.9 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4083 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–6.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2012 F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012F-150 Harley-Davidson SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.40 sec15.00 sec411 hp4x4
2012F-150 Lariat SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.60 sec15.20 sec365 hp4x4
2012F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.90 sec15.40 sec411 hp4x4
2011F-150 FX4 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.10 sec15.00 sec365 hp4x4
2011F-150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec365 hpRWD
2011F-150 Harley-Davidson 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.30 sec15.10 sec411 hp4x4
2011F-150 Harley-Davidson 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.40 sec15.00 sec411 hp4x4
2011F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2L SuperCrew (5.6 ft. Bed) 6.2L V86.60 sec15.20 sec411 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity12.1-13.1
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts75-85 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29.5 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket238.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle148.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket148.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub20 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00-6.25 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-195 °F
Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-195 °F
Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle184 ft-lbs / 111 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.259 in / 0.906 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 454 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9017 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 9017 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10515 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 13515 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 4: 37 ft. lbs., step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1103 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees., step 3: 74 ft. lbs., step 4: 90103 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1129 ft. lbs., step 2: 90129 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
230 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
390 degrees90 degrees
490 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., step 2: 18.414 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1bolts 1-127.4 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30 ft. lbs., Step 3: 48 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (inspect)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Ford F-150 falls outside the provided federal record, which covers 1990–2009, so direct year-over-year comparison is not possible. However, the dataset reveals a clear arc: complaints peaked sharply in 1997 (2,991 complaints, 26 recalls, 20 investigations) and then entered a sustained decline through 2009 (324 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 investigations). Recalls and investigations followed the same downward trajectory post-1997, suggesting quality improvements across the generation. The 2012-specific complaint data shows Power Train (416), Engine (222), and Steering (148) as the dominant categories, with 37 crash-related complaints and 14 fire-related complaints on record. The absence of 2012 in the federal trend data means its position in the improvement arc cannot be determined precisely, but the general trajectory through 2009 implies reduced systemic risk compared to earlier model years. The 416 Power Train complaints for 2012 warrant careful pre-purchase inspection of the transmission and drivetrain, as this category significantly exceeds others. Based on the declining trend in complaints and recalls through the 2000s, 2012 appears to be a relatively favorable model year within this generation, though prospective buyers should prioritize a thorough mechanical evaluation of the top complaint areas before committing.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
113
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,717
Owner complaints
37 involved a crash · 14 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,717 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train416
Engine222
Steering148
Service Brakes95
Visibility/Wiper70
Unknown Or Other67
Power Train,Engine60
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine52

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 113 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 523342024-03-06Engine And Engine CoolingSome 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
TSB 22-22192022-06-21Power TrainSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 F take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 F have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.