2012 Ford F-550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 13 complaints (69.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 7 | 53.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 23.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Engine: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10485361 · 2012-11-20 (November 20, 2012)
I NOTICED EXCESSIVE SWAYING BEGIN WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 RV. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED UNDER THE RV AND DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BOLT ON THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SWAY BAR TO THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS MISSING AND THE BRACKET WAS BENT. FAIRWAY FORD IN PLACENTIA, CA REPLACED THE BRACKET AND BOLT UNDER WARRANTY. THE WWW.IRV2.COM FORUM UNDER FORD CHASSIS HAS OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,706 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10534095 · 2013-08-07 (August 7, 2013)
THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAF CNG FUEL CONVERSION. THE WELDS BROKE ON THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE RIGHT HAND FUEL TANK TO THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO DROP TO THE PAVEMENT. AS THE FUEL TANK WAS BEING DRAGGED ON THE PAVEMENT THE DRIVER SAW SPARKS FLYING IN BOTH REAR VIEW MIRRORS AND SO SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS SHE WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER THE FUEL TANK SLID OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WEDGED IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR TIRES BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITH THE REAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 64,632 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10692327 · 2015-03-05 (March 5, 2015)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE COMPUTER SCANNER SYSTEM WAS SENDING THE INCORRECT READING TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SCANNING SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10923835 · 2016-11-02 (November 2, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE EXHAUST CLEANING CYCLE OPERATED, THE CYCLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, STALLED, AND THE CHECK OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10923835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10966637 · 2017-03-18 (March 18, 2017)
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID SYSTEM FAILED SHUTTING DOWN MY VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY. I NEVER GOT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THIS MAJOR PROBLEM. NOW I AM TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO SPEND OVER $5000.00 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. FORD HAD GOTTEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A SHORT TIME AND PAID OVER $59,000 FOR IT. I TRIED TO CONTACT SEVERAL FORD EXECUTIVES OVER TWO WEEKS …
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10966637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11083152 · 2018-04-03 (April 3, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. WHILE DRIVING ON AN INCLINE AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER LOSS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WORTHINGTON FORD (2950 N BELLFLOWER BLVD, LONG BEACH, CA 90815, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11083152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11104106 · 2018-06-26 (June 26, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT FRACTURED INTERNALLY WITHIN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER (MATHEWS FORD OREGON, 2811 NAVARRE AVE, OREGON, OH 43616, [phone removed]) AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S THREE YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND SERVICE WAS DENIED PER THE CAMPAIGN FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NUMBER: 17B30. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY ONCE BEFORE AND INDICATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 114,484 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11164007 · 2018-12-29 (December 29, 2018)
ECM LOOSING INFORMATION, ON HIGH WAY TRUCK SHUT DOWN WOULD NOT MOVE DUE TO EMISSION AND PCM PROBLEM. ECM NEED TO REFLASH ON UPDATED VERSION OR REPLACE
Owner-reported narrative. 267,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11164007 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 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 ↗14V040000 · Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2014-02-06 (February 6, 2014)
Almared, Inc., dba A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems, is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-550 transit buses manufactured May 2011 through April 2013, altered to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the brackets securing the passenger side CNG fuel tank may break.
Consequence: If the brackets break, the CNG tank may separate from the vehicle frame increasing the risk of a crash or possible fire.
Remedy: Almared, Inc. has notified owners and all affected vehicles have been remedied, free of charge. Owners may contact Almared at 1-559-485-4427.
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 ↗