2012 Ford F-350 SD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 29 complaints (34.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 24.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 17.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Suspension: 10; Steering: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 4; Wheels: 4; Engine: 3; Tires: 3; Electrical System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 2 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 | 5 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2013: 5; 2014: 9; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10554360 · 2013-12-02 (December 2, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE UPPER BALL JOINTS REPLACED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE NEW TRACK BAR AND STEERING DAMPER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567064 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)
DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, HIT A SMALL BUMP ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONLY. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, THE FRONT END AND QUICKLY THE ENTIRE TRUCK FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS SHAKING APART AND WAS SWINGING BACK AND FORTH, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE SHAKING GOT WORSE UNTIL ABOUT 15 MPH, IT THEN STOPPED. I THEN GOT UP TO 60 MPH AND WHEN I HIT A BUMP THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN GOT UP TO 50 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN GOT UP TO 40 MPH AND IT DID NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AT THAT SPEED. I DROVE 100 MILES HOME AT 40 MPH ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557145 · 2013-12-24 (December 24, 2013)
WHEN CROSSING OVER SOME MINOR PAVEMENT IRREGULARITY, BRIDGE EXPANSION JOINT ETC - THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK SHAKES VIOLENTLY. I MUST HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN TO TRY AND KEEP FROM LOSING CONTROL. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN ON THE FORD TRUCK FORUMS AS "THE DEATH WOBBLE" HERE IS A UTUBE VIDEO OF IT HAPPENING HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8EUQ6F8RGT4 CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS ON THE FORD TRUCK FORUM THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED IT - AND THE FACT THAT MOST SUPER DUTY OWNERS ARE NOT EVEN ON THIS FORUM THIS IS A WIDESPREAD AND EXTREMELY DANGEROU…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557145 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567144 · 2014-03-05 (March 5, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE EGT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,538. UPDATED 04/17/14 MA *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 31,538 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945666 · 2017-01-17 (January 17, 2017)
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY STOP WORKING WITH OUT NOTICE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS MANY TIMES ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY ARE NOT BAD. THEY WILL STOP WORKING ONE SIDE AT A TIME AND SOME TIMES BOTH STOP WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. THIS LEAVES YOU NO INDICATION THAT YOU HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR TURN SIGNALS WORKING. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME TIMES WHEN I TURN ON MY TURN SIGNALS, ONE SIDE WILL FLASH FAST THAN THE OTHER, AT ABOUT TWICE THE RATE AS NORMAL. I WAS IN A LEFT TURN LANE…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11111981 · 2018-07-17 (July 17, 2018)
MY TRUCK HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT. 6.7 DIESEL. UPON STARTING THE TRUCK ( STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY ) #3 FUEL INJECTOR POPPED OUT OF THE ENGINE, CAUSING A MISFIRE AND SPRAYING DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ENGINE. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE #3 INJECTOR HOLD DOWN CLAMP HAD BROKEN CAUSED BY A CRACK IN IT. . FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT.. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. FORD AGREED TO REPLACE HALF OF THE DEFECTIVE INJECTOR CLAMPS. (4) THIS LEAVES THE OTHER 4 PRONE TO FAIL AT ANY TIME. I W…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111981 at NHTSA ↗