2012 Ford F-150 Air Bags & Restraints Problems

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle downshifted with the check engine, transmission, and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The contact also noticed the vehicle had gone into LIMP Mode after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lead frame failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

My truck would shift gears and I would feel a kick. Then the speedometer would drop, and the airbag sensors would turn off. At times the dealership states it is an issue with the Transmission Lead Frame.

I had just purchased this well-used 2012 F150XL [XXX] ) because well into retirement at [XXX] and officially handicapped, it was all I could afford and had to get a personal loan for it anyway. First thing was a Lake Keowee Ford (REFLASH RECALL) which was performed and within a few days, everything electrical stopped and the battery started draining overnight over and over. The truck would not start, the column shifter was locked in Park and I could not even push it clear of a carport for a tow truck. With endless research, I find that this Shift Interlock failure is very, very common on these trucks of all related years and mileages. Below is a quote from a site: According to a survey, more than 75000 complaints reported against this problem across the USA in the last 15 to 17 years. In addition, it has affected the reliability of these F150 models due to sudden column shifter failure with minor internal damage. In my case, the Horn stopped working, the seats no longer adjust, the truck is in Limp Mode only and the steering is now only manual. It is a danger to drive, yet Lake Keowee is too busy to return my calls and chat efforts, a local repair facility charged $800 to NOT fix it and refuse to look at it again for “maybe” two weeks” As said, I am disabled and a lifelong type one Diabetic so very brittle. I require a means of transportation, yet no one cares enough to offer / or knows how to fix it. This is a known problem that Ford has gotten away with for decades now and an official Recall on the Shift Interlock needs to be fixed. The ball is in your court now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Summary VIN [XXX] Airbag light continues to come on after beinig serviced multiple times by the dealer. 1)1-4-18 the airbag light turned on. The dealer completed $1,180.82 in repairs replacing the RCM. 2)11-6-18, a second issue occurred with the air bag light. Cost was $943.46 to replace the seat belt tensioner 3)11-12-18 CAS 16338506. On 11/23/18 the case was still under review. On 12/14/18 I was told the case was closed with no action taken. Escalated case CAS [XXX]was created. 4)4-30-19 – same issue as #2. 5)2-11-20 RCM replaced again. As the repair was 1 month out of warranty I paid $106.52 after negotiations with Ford Service Representative. 6)3-23-20 $635.88 (less ~ $200 for battery) Told by dealer a loose pin at a connector was the cause. 7)1-2-2021 Air bag light on again. (letter #5) 8)10-24-21 B1211 restraint control module code 9)11-16-22 B11D8 restraint control module code 10)1-28-23 B1211 restraint control module code 11) 11-27-2023 Codes B1211 and B0091 (Attached Airbag light on) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle collided head-on with another vehicle that failed to stop at a red light. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact stated that he had suffered minor injuries to his jaw but had not sought medical attention. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 320,000.

Hello, this is an update to ref 11396297 Since the last incident 1-3-21 letter, I have had 3 more air bag related codes: 10-24-21 B1211 Restraint contol module code 10-24-22 B11D8 Restraint contol module code 1-28-23 B1211 Restraint contol module code, air bag light on. Dealer has done about $2600 in repairs and the issue(s) continue. I have written to Ford again (Attached) Please update your file, and please let me know if you have any new information on regarding Ford F150 air bag issues. Thank you, Pete

Safety belts have become locked & unusable after a collision. The seat belts on the driver and front passenger side will not pull out from the retracted position. Vehicle was inspected by State Farm Insurance & Caliber Collision, in connection with Boggus Ford Dealer, & all have determined that this is NOT collision related. This decision was made because the front passenger seat was unoccupied at the time of collision. Therefore I am reaching out to whoever will listen, this vehicle is no longer safe to drive as it apparently has a potential deadly defect.

Smacked a gard rail on the front, spun around and smacked the driver rear end no air bags deployed. 55 miles per hour

Over a couple years had several occasions where the air bag light came on. First time was in 2017 and several times through 2021. See repair reports. Sometimes the light went out on its own, sometimes the dealer couldn’t find anything and cleared the fault or just cleaned the contacts. Finally in August 2021 the light came on and stayed on and the dealer had to replace the Restraint Control Module. It was unclear if the air bag system was functional over these numerous faults and months. Very expensive repair.

WHEN VEHICLE STARTS HAS WRENCH LIGHT ON, TRACADVANCE LIGHT ON, AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON. TRUCK WANTS TO CALL 911 ABOUT 1 MINUTE AFTER STARTED. AUTO SHOP DIAGNOSTIC HAS AIR BAG MODULE IS NOT RESPONDING. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN BUYING FORDS FOR YEARS AND FORD HAS TREATED US VERY WELL. I BOUGHT MY FIRST BRAND NEW CAR FOR MY WIFE IN 2016 AND WAS A FORD EXPLORER. DESPITE OF THE ISSUES THAT THAT VEHICLE HAS HAD FORD HAS ALWAYS DONE THE RIGHT THING AND HAS TAKEN CARE OF THEM. MY GRANDFATHER OWNED A FORD DEALERSHIP WHEN I WAS A CHILD AND GREW UP RIDING IN FORD VEHICLES. THIS AIRBAG MODULE THAT WENT BAD IS NOT A PART THAT CAR WEAR OUT. FROM MY RESEARCH OTHER 2012 F150'S LIKE MINE HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND SOME HAVE A RECALL ON THEM FOR THIS. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART THAT I THINK IS FAULTY BY MANUFACTURE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND IN THE TRUCK WITH MY KIDS WITH THIS MODULE BAD AND AM NOT SURE IF IT IS SAFE OR NOT. PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO PROCEED. THANKS

2012 FORD F-150. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ILLUMINATED AIRBAG LIGHT. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS TO DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PUT THAT INFORMATION INTO WRITING. THE CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED THE COST OF REPAIRS IN RELATION TO THE AIRBAG REPAIRS. *JS

ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, MY 2012 FORD F-150 WAS INVOLVED IN A 35MPH FRONT END COLLISION. THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM CONCERNED WHY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AFTER ACCIDENT, THERE WAS AN AMBER "AIRBAG MALFUNCTION" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN 2012, THERE WAS A FORD F-150 RECALL # 12V198000 FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG CONTROL SENSOR MODULE (OCSM). THIS VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. THIS VEHICLE MAY HAVE A FAULTY OCSM THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I AM GOING TO ASK THE REPAIR SHOP TO SAVE THIS VEHICLES "BLACK BOX" AND OCSM IN CASE THERE IS NEED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THESE PARTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR WITH THE AIR BAGS AND POWER TRAIN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY WHERE HE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON WHICH RESUMED BACK TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TODD JUDY FORD (EAST 7891 MACCORKLE AVE, CHARLESTON, WV 25304) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NO RECALL WAS SUBJECTED TO THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

PARASITIC BATTERY DRAIN BURNED AND CORRSION DAMAGE FROM WATER LEAKS INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS AFFECTED PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND SEAT RESTRAINT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, BATTERY DIED, NEW BATTERY PLACED IN VEHICLE AND DEAD NEXT DAY. FORD MOTOR UNRESPONSIVE AND WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR ONE MONTH!

TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON FOR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND "FOUND THAT FAULT CODE PRESENT B0091 93 LEFT SIDE RESTRAINT". THE WIRING WAS TESTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE "SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR" REPLACED. I WAS ADVISED THAT IF I DID NOT HAVE THIS SENSOR REPLACED THAT THEY COULD NOT SAY THAT THE REST OF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD WORK IF I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AT THE TIME OF THIS REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS JUST 5 YEARS OLD AND HAD 41,068 MILES ON IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A VEHICLE THAT IS JUST 5 YEARS OLD, ONLY HAS 41K MILES, NO COLLISIONS OR ANY DAMAGE SHOULD BE NEEDING SAFETY RELATED AIRBAG SENSORS REPLACED. TOTAL COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS $515.21.

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET THE LIGHT OFF. WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR ANYWHERE. I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF.

MY TRUCK DOES TWO THINGS, BOTH WITH THE TRANSMISSION. 1RST THIS IS RANDOM AND HAPPENS AT ANY UNSUSPECTING TIME AND AT ALL SPEEDS. THE TRUCK GOES INTO LIMP MODE (KILLING ALL POWER) STARTS TO CLUNK IN AND OUT OF GEARS TO THE POINT IT LOCKED UP THE TIRES ONCE GOING 55 MPH FOR A SECOND AS THIS IS HAPPENING MY MPH NEEDLE GOES TO 0, ALSO THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS RANDOM AS WELL. THE TRUCK DISPLAYS THE AIRBAG LIGHT WHILE DRIVING ALONG, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK IN THIRD AND WON'T SHIFT, SOME TIMES IT GETS STUCK IN FIRST AND NEVER MAKE IT UP TO 6TH GEAR IT WILL EVENTUALLY SHIFT THROUGH THE GEARS AS THIS IS HAPPENING THE MILES, AVG FUEL DISPLAY GOES TO ALL BLANKS. BOTH VERY UNSAFE AND VERY SCARY, AS I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I WILL NOT PUT MY DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL I FEEL IT'S SAVE TO DO SO.

SOMEONE STOPPED SHORT IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT AVOID HITTING CAR. THE BRAKE INDICATOR ON FRONT CONTROL DISPLAY SAID MY BRAKES ARE OK. ONCE I CRASHED THE SEAT BELT ENGAGED BUT I STILL HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY CHEST. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THERE WAS SOME HEAVY SMOKE THOUGH AROUND THE SEAT BELT AREA OR FROM PERHAPS THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS UNDER THE SEAT?

THE VISUAL (ORANGE OR YELLOW) SEAT BELT SYMBOL LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES REMAINS ON. SEAL BELTS ALWAYS USED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR REPAIR. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE FOR MONTHS.

I DRIVE ALONG AND MY SEATBELT JUST UNLATCHES. I PUT IT BACK IN THE RECIEVER BUCKLE IT CLICKS I TUG ON IT AND ITS LATCHED......I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD.....EVENTUALLY IT UNLATCHES AGAIN. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. WITH A PART THAT DOESNT APPEAR TO BE DAMAGED, AND APPEARS TO WORK BUT ISN'T. I DONT REALLY WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME PART.