2012 Ford F-250 SD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 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 10568111 · 2014-03-10 (March 10, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 EQUIPPED WITH A SET OF CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE: 275/65/R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXHIBITED TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568111 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 10585101 · 2014-04-26 (April 26, 2014)
DRAMATIC WHEEL AND FRONT END WOBBLE WHEN HITTING A BRIDGE TRANSITION. VEHICLE BECOMES UNCONTROLLABLE AND CONTINUES TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY UNTIL VEHICLE COMES TO ALMOST A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE IN MY 2005 F250 AND HAD TO CHANGE ALMOST ALL THE COMPONENTS OF THE FRONT END TO FIX. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SPEAKING ABOUT THIS ON THE FORUMS AND STATE THAT THERE ARE TSBS THAT COVER THIS BUT THAT THE PARTS FAIL AGAIN IN ABOUT 25K MILES. I PULL A BOAT QUITE OFTEN AND IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH A TRAILER BEHIND MY TRUCK THERE WOULD HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585101 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 10627957 · 2014-08-25 (August 25, 2014)
THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE TRUCK FLASHES A CODE "SAFETY SHUT OFF". IT IS RELATED TO THE EGT EXHAUST TEMP SENSOR PART OF THE EMISSIONS CONTROLS. AFTER IT FLASHES THE TRUCK WILL SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING, NO TIME TO MOVE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK WILL NOT RESTART AND THE STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN 4 TIMES AND EACH TIME I WAS LUCKY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PROGRAMMING ERROR I BELIEVE AND IS A PROBLEM FORD MUST ADDRESS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE OR BE INJURED IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED!!…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10629639 · 2014-08-30 (August 30, 2014)
AFTER HITTING PATCHED PORTION ON ROAD FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. STOPPED VEHICLE AND INSPECTED. SAW NO DAMAGE SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. I THEN TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. NOT FINDING ANYTHING AS OF THIS DATE 8/30. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 82,387 miles reported. Look up ODI 10629639 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.