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2012 Ford F-450: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

14 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

58,380 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 14 complaints (35.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation321.4%
Fuel system concerns214.3%
Braking behavior17.1%
Steering behavior17.1%

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.

Engine
5
Unknown Or Other
4
Steering
3
Suspension
3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Electrical System
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine5
Unknown Or Other4
Steering3
Suspension3
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Electrical System1

Engine: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Steering: 3; Suspension: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electrical System: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 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.

2012
2
2014
2
2015
2
2016
4
2019
1
2020
2
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20122
20142
20152
20164
20191
20202
20261

2012: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10451899 · 2012-03-16 (March 16, 2012)

WHEN PARTIALLY DEPRESSED THE TURN SIGNAL WILL ONLY BLINK 3 TIMES. I THINK I HAVE ACTIVATED A PROPER TURN SIGNAL ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS A PARTIAL. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO PROGRAM THIS DIFFERENTLY. DOES 3 BLINKS CONSTITUTE A TURNSIGNAL? *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451899 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10471319 · 2012-08-17 (August 17, 2012)

ON AUGUST 15, 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 HOURS, I WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED LIMIT NORTH ON I-95 NEAR MILE MARKER 78, LIBERTY COUNTY, MIDWAY, GEORGIA. THE HIGHWAY WAS CLEAN AND NO DEBRIS IN SIGHT, WHEN SUDDENLY A POP SOUND TOOK PLACE AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT INSTANTANEOUSLY FLAT FOLLOWED BY HEAVY NOISE OF DESTRUCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE EMERGENCY LANE (SIDE OF THE ROAD). I CONDUCTED AN EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS DESTROYED (DISINTEGRATE) AND THE TOP OF THE TIRE THREAD WAS REMOVED…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,041 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471319 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10567290 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)

THIS VEHICLE IS AN AMBULANCE AND WAS DISPATCHED ON AN EMERGENCY CALL. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT EVEN ENGAGE. ANOTHER AMBULANCE HAD TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE CALL. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR EGT EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATUR SENSORS HAD FAILED AND DISABLED THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THERE WAS NOT AN OVER HEATED EXHAUST CONDITION NOR AN EXHAUST EMISSION PROBLEM AT THE TIME, WHICH IS WHAT THESE SENSORS ARE DESIGNED TO…

Owner-reported narrative. 53,760 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567290 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10567358 · 2014-03-04 (March 4, 2014)

THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS AN AMBULANCE, WAS DISPATCHED TO AN EMERGENCY CALL. AS THEY TURNED INTO THE DRIVE OF THE FACILITY THE CHIMES SOUNDED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. HAD THIS VEHICLE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE CREW INVOLVED. AT THE VERY LEAST, ANOTHER AMBULANCE HAD TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE CALL AND DELAYED CARE TO THE PATIENT. IT WAS DETERMINED LATER THAT THE EGT SENSOR HAD FAILED, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS APPARENTLY NO PROBLEM IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AT THE TIME.

Owner-reported narrative. 50,017 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567358 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10779531 · 2015-10-03 (October 3, 2015)

I WAS DRIVING ALONG MY 2012 FORD F450SUPERDUTY TURBO DIESEL ALONG THE INTERSTATE 495 DC BELTWAY IN MARYLAND WITH MY SEVEN YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT, WHEN A LCD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPEEDOMETER GAVE A WARNING WHICH READ "REDUCED POWER" AND COULD IMMEDIATELY FEEL A REDUCED RESPONSIVENESS OF THE TRUCK TO THE ACCELERATOR. A MOMENT LATER ANOTHER SIGN READ " CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER" WHICH DISAPPEARED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. A MOMENT LATER A FINAL WARNING CAME UP WHICH READ" STOP AT A SAFE LOCATION. I BEARLY PULLED OVER TO A DANGEROUS SHOULDER WHEN MY…

Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10779531 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10808462 · 2015-12-04 (December 4, 2015)

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN TRUCK STARTED SHAKING COULD NOT HOLD STEERING WHEEL . TRUCK STARTED GOING SIDEWAYS ON HIGHWAY FROM SHAKING/ WOBBLE. TRUCK SHUTS OFF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING NO STEERING OR BRAKES TOWING EQUIPMENT. I HAVE HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN TRUCK ALMOST IN A ACCIDENT 2 TIMES NOW FROM TRUCKS DEATH WOBBLE AND MOTOR SHUTTING OFF TOWING EQUIPMENT.

Owner-reported narrative. 65,378 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808462 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10863436 · 2016-05-05 (May 5, 2016)

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PARKWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT, WE TRAVELED OVER SEVERAL BRIDGES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD AND OVER THE BRIDGES THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WE HAD TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP TO HOLD IT IN THE ROAD. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED, I AM SCARED TO RIDE OR DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE, IT IS MY HUSBANDS AND HE DOES. WE PULL A HORSE TRAILER AT TIMES AND I AM SCARED TO DO SO BECAUSE IT PUTS OUR LIVES AS WELL AS OTHE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10863436 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10871367 · 2016-05-28 (May 28, 2016)

1/28/14- HPFP METAL SHAVINGS FOUND AFTER ENGINE POWER DOWN, ALL FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED. AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS (4/10/14) SAME THING. ON 4/25/16 SAME THING. NO WARRANT. FORD KNOWS THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUE, REFUSES TO WARRANTY WHILE OTHER MFG, IE VW DOES COVER SAME PART. I WOULD WELCOME CLASS ACTION SUIT.

Owner-reported narrative. 36,220 miles reported. Look up ODI 10871367 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

11V582000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2011-12-08 (December 8, 2011)

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, “THEFT PROTECTION.” THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.

Consequence: THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH FUNCTION AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
13V380000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

Reported: 2013-08-23 (August 23, 2013)

Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. The tailpipe on the exhaust system does not extend out beyond the edge of the body, allowing heat to build up in rear curbside storage compartment.

Consequence: Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.

Remedy: Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1-502-426-5210.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
13V535000 · Engine

Reported: 2013-10-30 (October 30, 2013)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.

Consequence: An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V498000 · Equipment

Reported: 2014-08-13 (August 13, 2014)

PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

Consequence: The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.

Remedy: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.

NHTSA campaign record ↗