Recall 12V198 affects 101 2012 Ford F-150 trucks for incorrect passenger airbag sensor software. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 101 2012 F-150 pickups because incorrect occupant classification software can misread the passenger seat occupant and trigger the passenger airbag at the wrong time. The defect can prevent the airbag from deploying as intended or deploy it when it should not, increasing injury risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The occupant classification system module in the 2012 Ford F-150 is the air bag computer for the front passenger seat. It uses passenger-seat information to decide how the passenger-side front air bag should respond in a crash. When the software is correct, the module helps the truck match air bag deployment to the person in that seat.
In affected F-150 trucks, the wrong software was installed in that module, either during assembly or when the module was replaced during service. Under certain driving conditions, that software can classify the passenger seat occupant incorrectly. The result is an air bag that does not deploy when it should, does not deploy as intended, or deploys when it should not.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the module software, so an owner should not expect a noise, light, smell, or change in how the truck drives.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Ford F-150 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 101 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup is included.
What's the safety risk?
The passenger side air bag can fail to deploy, deploy differently than intended, or deploy when it should not. That increases injury risk for the passenger side seat occupant. Schedule the recall repair soon, especially if passengers use that seat. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Ford F-150 is included in recall 12V198.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask whether the free OCSM replacement is open for your truck.
- Tell the dealer the repair addresses incorrect occupant-classification software that can prevent the passenger-side air bag from deploying correctly.
- Bring Ford's owner notice if you have it, and reference recall number 12V198 when you call.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions before your appointment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the occupant classification system module, the sensor control module used by the passenger airbag system to classify the front seat occupant. Ford's recall remedy covers the replacement free of charge. The source remedy does not list a separate reimbursement plan, so this section does not add one. Ask the Ford service desk to confirm the OCSM replacement is tied to recall 12V198 when the vehicle is written up.
Timeline
| May 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 30, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V198?
Recall 12V198 covers 101 2012 Ford F-150 trucks with incorrect occupant classification system module software. The passenger seat sensor can classify the occupant incorrectly, causing the passenger side airbag to deploy incorrectly, fail to deploy as intended, or deploy when it should not.
What should I do if my 2012 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 12V198. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the occupant classification system module replacement. Reference recall number 12V198 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford dealers will replace the occupant classification system module free of charge. Ford's customer relationship center is 1-866-436-7332 if you need help arranging dealer service.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is passenger injury from incorrect airbag behavior. Under certain driving conditions, the passenger side airbag can fail to deploy when needed, fail to deploy as intended, or deploy when it should not, increasing injury risk for the passenger seat occupant.
What if I bought my Ford F-150 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012 Ford F-150 is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 12V198.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V198000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V198 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V198000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →