---
title: "2012-2014 Ford F-150 Problems and Years to Avoid"
description: "5 documented problems with the 2012-2014 Ford F-150, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 3 of them are serious. 3 carry a recall or TSB number."
url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/common-problems"
updated: "2026-08-20"
---

# 2012-2014 Ford F-150 Common Problems and Years to Avoid

5 documented problems with the 2012-2014 Ford F-150, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 3 of them are serious. 3 carry a recall or TSB number.

**Quick answer**: We have 5 documented problems on record for the 2012-2014 Ford F-150, of which 3 are serious and 3 carry a recall or service bulletin.

## 2012-2014 Ford F-150 recalls and service bulletins

| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TSB 13-8-1 (and 12-11-15) | 3.5L EcoBoost intercooler (CAC) condensation misfire | moderate |
| NHTSA 16V-345 (Ford 16S24) | Brake master cylinder fluid leak (recall) | major |
| NHTSA 19V-075 (Ford 19S07) | Unintended downshift into 1st gear (recall) | major |

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding.

## 3.5L EcoBoost intercooler (CAC) condensation misfire (moderate)

In humid weather, condensation pools in the charge-air cooler and gets ingested under hard acceleration after highway cruising, causing a violent stumble/misfire (P0304-P0306) and sometimes a white-smoke puff. Ford's fix (TSB 13-8-1, superseding 12-11-15) adds an air deflector in front of the CAC and revised calibration. Widely reported on 2011-2013 trucks; an NHTSA investigation was closed without a recall.

Most affected: 2011-2013 (3.5L EcoBoost). Typical cost: $0 under warranty/TSB; $150-$400 for a deflector/reflash out of warranty. Recall/TSB: TSB 13-8-1 (and 12-11-15).

## Early 3.5L EcoBoost timing chain stretch (major)

First-run 3.5L EcoBoosts (mostly 2011-2012, some 2013) can stretch timing chains and wear guides/tensioners, showing a cold-start rattle and P0016/P0008 codes. Neglected oil changes accelerate it. The repair is chains, guides, tensioners, and phasers, a big labor job. Later builds got improved parts.

Most affected: 2011-2013 (3.5L EcoBoost). Typical cost: $1,500-$3,000 parts and labor.

## Brake master cylinder fluid leak (recall) (major)

On 3.5L EcoBoost trucks the master cylinder's rear cup seal can roll, letting brake fluid leak from the front-circuit reservoir into the booster, the pedal goes long and front braking fades, usually with a fluid warning light. Ford recalled 2013-2014 trucks (16V-345/Ford 16S24) and later expanded the campaign to 2014-2017 (20V-332) and 2016-2017 (22V-150). Dealers replace the master cylinder, plus the booster if it leaked.

Most affected: 2013-2014 (3.5L EcoBoost). Typical cost: Free under recall. Recall/TSB: NHTSA 16V-345 (Ford 16S24).

## Unintended downshift into 1st gear (recall) (major)

An intermittent output-shaft-speed-sensor signal loss can make the 6R80 suddenly downshift to first at any road speed, chirping or locking the rear tires. Ford recalled about 1.48 million 2011-2013 F-150s in 2019; the fix is a free PCM reflash (some 2013 5.0/6.2 trucks needed a follow-up recall after an incorrect first repair).

Most affected: 2011-2013. Typical cost: Free under recall (software update). Recall/TSB: NHTSA 19V-075 (Ford 19S07).

## MyFord Touch freezes and glitches (minor)

2011-2014 trucks with MyFord Touch (SYNC 2) suffer frozen screens, reboots, lost Bluetooth, and unresponsive climate controls. Software updates improved it but never fully cured it; some owners retrofit SYNC 3 hardware or aftermarket units. Annoying, not dangerous.

Most affected: 2011-2014 (with MyFord Touch). Typical cost: $0 (updates/reset) - $500+ (SYNC 3 retrofit or aftermarket head unit).

Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2012-2014 Ford F-150. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.

## Which Ford F-150 model years does this cover?

These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Ford F-150 built from 2012 through 2014, the 12th generation (2009-2014; covered from 2012), full-size pickup (steel body; regular cab, supercab, supercrew). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2012 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012)
- [2013 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2013)
- [2014 F-150](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2014)

## What changed during the 2012-2014 Ford F-150

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2012 | Second year of the modern engine lineup (3.7/5.0/3.5EB/6.2); 6-speed 6R80 on all engines |
| 2013 | Refresh: new grilles, HID-equipped trims, MyFord Touch available, Limited trim returns (22-in wheels) |
| 2014 | Final steel-body year; STX SuperCrew and Tremor (short-bed 3.5L EB sport truck) added |

## 2012-2014 Ford F-150 problems and recalls: common questions

### What are the most common problems with the 2012-2014 Ford F-150?

The recurring ones are: 3.5l ecoboost intercooler (cac) condensation misfire; early 3.5l ecoboost timing chain stretch; brake master cylinder fluid leak (recall); unintended downshift into 1st gear (recall); myford touch freezes and glitches. Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.

### Which 2012-2014 Ford F-150 years should you avoid?

The years to be most careful with are those affected by early 3.5l ecoboost timing chain stretch (2011-2013 (3.5L EcoBoost)) and brake master cylinder fluid leak (recall) (2013-2014 (3.5L EcoBoost)) and unintended downshift into 1st gear (recall) (2011-2013). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.

### Are there recalls on the 2012-2014 Ford F-150?

3 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: TSB 13-8-1 (and 12-11-15) (3.5l ecoboost intercooler (cac) condensation misfire), NHTSA 16V-345 (Ford 16S24) (brake master cylinder fluid leak (recall)), NHTSA 19V-075 (Ford 19S07) (unintended downshift into 1st gear (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.

### How much do 2012-2014 Ford F-150 repairs typically cost?

Typical figures for the issues above: 3.5l ecoboost intercooler (cac) condensation misfire, $0 under warranty/TSB; $150-$400 for a deflector/reflash out of warranty; early 3.5l ecoboost timing chain stretch, $1,500-$3,000 parts and labor; brake master cylinder fluid leak (recall), Free under recall; unintended downshift into 1st gear (recall), Free under recall (software update).

## Sources

- [Ford 2013 F-150 Owner's Manual, capacities (via VehicleHistory/engine oil DB summaries)](https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/2013-ford-f-150-oil-type-and-capacity)
- [Ford TSB 13-8-1, 3.5L GTDI intermittent stumble/misfire in humid conditions](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/pubs/content/~WT/~MUS~LEN/3569/tsb13-08-01.htm)
- [NHTSA recall 19V-075, unintended downshift, 2011-2013 F-150](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V075-8473.PDF)
- [NHTSA recall 16V-345, brake master cylinder, 2013-2014 F-150 3.5L EB](https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls?nhtsaId=16V345000)
- [Hardrock Offroad, F-150 OEM wheel/tire fitment guide by generation](https://hardrockoffroad.com/fitment-guides/ford-f150/)
- [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Ford F-150 EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Ford_F150.shtml)
- [O'Reilly/AutoZone battery fitment, 2012-2014 F-150 Group 65](https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/ford/f150/2012)

## Other Ford F-150 generations

- [2021-2025 Ford F-150 problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2021-2025/common-problems)
- [2015-2020 Ford F-150 problems and recalls](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2015-2020/common-problems)

Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/common-problems).

## More for the 2012-2014 Ford F-150

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/brakes)
- [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/fluids)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/service-schedule)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/f-150/2012-2014/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.