2012 Ford F-350 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 25, 2025 · 149 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other F-350 years
About as many complaints as other years 6th of 24 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-350. That ranks 6th out of 24 F-350 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (66 complaints, 44%), typically at around 112,040 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Ford F-350
Ford F-350 Super Duty photographed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2012 Ford F-350 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Steering66 · ~112,040 mi
Suspension65 · ~116,000 mi
Engine25 · ~77,666 mi
Unknown or Other17 · ~89,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System13 · ~89,500 mi
Power Train9 · ~38,500 mi
Wheels9 · ~98,750 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling8 · ~47,250 mi
Service Brakes8 · ~90,000 mi
Electrical System6 · ~58,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering problems6644%112,040“death wobble” (50%)—
Suspension problems6544%116,000“death wobble” (55%)—
Engine2517%77,666——
Unknown or Other1711%89,000——
Fuel/propulsion System139%89,500——
Power Train96%38,500——
Wheels96%98,750——
Engine and Engine Cooling85%47,250——
Service Brakes85%90,000——
Electrical System64%58,500——
Vehicle Speed Control53%70,500——
Exterior Lighting32%26,000——
Air Bags21%47,400——
Lane Departure21%———
Structure21%42,000——
Visibility/wiper21%103,500——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11%141,000——
Fuel System, Diesel11%116,000——
Seat Belts11%———
Seats11%———
Tires11%36,575——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 22 complaints
2012: 2201222013: 112013112014: 9201492015: 122015122016: 6201662017: 3201732018: 6201862019: 192019192020: 222020222021: 132021132022: 112022112023: 172023172024: 112024112025: 720257

n = 149 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2012 Ford F-350 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

EquipmentAug 13, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V498000 · 3 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

EngineOct 30, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V535000 · 2,951 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeAug 23, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V380000 · 37 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Power train:automatic transmissionDec 8, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V582000 · 16,091 vehicles

Problem: 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, â“theft protection.┠the transmission can be shifted out of the park position without pressing the brake pedal due to brake shift interlock switch problem.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown (RQ14005) — opened Jan 13, 2015, closed Mar 15, 2016, led to recall 15V175000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the message "Loss of Engine Power" was displayed before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P0087, P2291, and P2A00 were retrieved. The vehicle was…

Engine · received Sep 25, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11689728

Death wobble

Service Brakes · received Jul 4, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11671293

Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed in transit cost $10,713 to repair only 155k miles on new engine. Diesel fuel spilled from engine on highway, lucky no fire. Ford no help.

Engine · received Jun 26, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11669541

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while his son was driving 25 MPH, the front track bar unexpectedly fractured into two pieces, causing the vehicle to swerve off the road. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced the death wobble. The vehicle was towed to the dealer…

Suspension · received May 22, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11662602

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the contact rolled over a bump and the vehicle started to shudder and sway to the left and right violently. The contact slowed down to 20 MPH and regained control of the vehicle. The contact stated there…

Suspension · received May 5, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11659065

Other Ford F-350 years

← 2011 F-350 · 2013 F-350 →

See all Ford F-350 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford F-350?

Owners most often report steering, suspension, engine problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 66 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Ford F-350?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2012 Ford F-350 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-350 model years, the 2012 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.