2012 Ford F-250 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
55,118 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 57 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 22.8% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 21.1% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 12.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 18 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Suspension | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Steering: 18; Engine: 15; Suspension: 14; Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 18 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 18; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 18; 2015: 14; 2016: 11; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10556889 · 2013-12-21 (December 21, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK ON A BUSY SIDE ROAD, THE MESSAGE CENTER FLASHED A WARNING, "STOP SAFE SOON". A AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD AND THE TRUCK SHUT OFF. COMPLETE LOSE OF POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD COMPLETELY SINCE IT HAPPENED SO FAST. TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE WE DID OUR BEST TO PUSH THE 7,500 POUND TRUCK TO THE NARROW SHOULDER. SINCE THE SHOULDER WOULD NOT FIT THE ENTIRE TRUCK, IT WAS BASICALLY HALF IN THE ROAD. TRAFFIC HAS BACKED UP AND WE HAD TO WAIT CLOSE TO AN HOUR FOR A TOW T…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615330 · 2014-07-22 (July 22, 2014)
STOP SAFELY NOW: WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AND YOU HAVE TO ROLL AS FAR AS YOU CAN TO HOPEFULLY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC AND DRIVER OF "NOT SO GREAT RUNNING VEHICLES" AS I HAVE TEST AND TUNE THEM TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS TO REPAIR THEM. E.G. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NON WORKING FUEL PUMPS...ETC. WITH THAT SAID, I DO NOT THINK AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OF A NON WORKING VEHICLE WOULD DO SO WELL IN THIS SITUATION AND COULD END UP POSSIBLY HARMING OTHERS AS A RESULT. I JUST KNEW FOR SURE THIS WOULD BE ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,937 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576454 · 2014-04-01 (April 1, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND WOBBLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD ALSO VIBRATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE STEERING STABILIZER AND THE TRACK BAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,0…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559221 · 2014-01-09 (January 9, 2014)
VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED RUNNING IN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 231 IN MONTGOMERY AL. ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER, SECOND INCIDENCE OF VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION [SEE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBER) IS: XXX59219. CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSIST. I HAVE 125K EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OF ANY KIND FROM ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS . VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH "EVIDENCE OF WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM" . THERE WAS NO WATER PRESENT IN SYSTEM , NO "WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT ,HAS NEVER LIT UP ON THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10632229 · 2014-09-10 (September 10, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE EGT EXHAUST SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTICED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10632229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663076 · 2014-12-09 (December 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH, THE REDUCED POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SECOND DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN SUBSTANCE IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,877. UPDATED 01/23/14*LJ UPDATED 01/26/15*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 18,877 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10701801 · 2015-03-25 (March 25, 2015)
THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE SAID THE SAME THING. THEY ARE SAYING THAT IT IS A FUEL ISSUE BUT THE PUMP ON THE TRUCK ISN'T EQUIPPED WITH THE INCORRECT FUEL PUMP FOR THE DIESEL THAT IS SOLD IN THE US. I HAVE SPENT JUST ABOUT $2000.00 JUST FIGHTING THE WARRANTY COMPANY TO FIX THE TRUCK I DROVE FOR 10 DAYS BEFORE FAILING. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10701801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823047 · 2016-01-29 (January 29, 2016)
I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWICE NOW WITH MY 2012 F-250 SUPER DUTY WITH THE 6.7 DIESEL ENGINE. ON FRIDAY JANUARY 22ND AND WAS SIMILAR TO A PREVIOUS EVENT INVOLVING A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OF MY TRUCK WHILE IN DRIVE. BOTH INSTANCES HAVE OCCURRED FROM THE TRUCK BEING IN A PARKED POSITION WITH THE ENGINE OFF. UPON STARTING THE TRUCK AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, I BEGIN TO PULL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 40 FEET AND PREPARE TO STOP PRIOR TO ENTERING TRAFFIC OR REPOSITIONING. THE TRUCK WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. FORTUNATELY IN…
Owner-reported narrative. 200,048 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10884731 · 2016-07-14 (July 14, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AN UNKNOWN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RESERVOIR INTO THE VALLEY OF THE ENGINE AND THE FOUR POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY UNLOCK WHEN DRIVING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO S…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10884731 at NHTSA ↗