carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $20,480–$26,038 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Ford F-150 at 6.9/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.8/10, while Technology at 6.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.3/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.8/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance scores 7.6/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Technology scores 6.0/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $20,480–$26,038, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Ford F-150 sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Ford F-150 is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and reliability and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Ford F-150 ranks #457 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $20,480 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 42%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Across the F-150 model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.9/10 | $38,073 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $38,073 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $36,965 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $35,856 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $34,747 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.7/10 | $33,638 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.7/10 | $32,529 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $31,420 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $30,311 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.6/10 | $29,202 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $28,093 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $26,984 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 11/02/2019 · 19V075000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. |
|---|---|
| Power train / Automatic transmission 27/04/2016 · 16V248000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Sensor/control module-inactive 03/05/2012 · 12V198000 | FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 15, 2011. INCORRECT SOFTWARE FOR THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MODULE (OCSM) WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES EITHER AT THE TIME OF… |
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) 03/05/2012 · 12V190000 | FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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