VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 50 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median F-350 Sd year — the 2012 model ranks #16 of 34 F-350 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (12), suspension (10), and steering (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

50

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1224%
Suspension1020%
Steering918%
Tires & Wheels816%
Electrical System24%
Fuel System24%
Brakes12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%
Other12%
Speed Control12%
Body & Structure12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2012 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20E090000OtherDecember 9, 2020 · 102 units

Defect

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Consequence

If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

15V175000TransmissionMarch 25, 2015 · 6,322 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.

Consequence

Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

14V453000OtherJuly 24, 2014 · 6 units

Defect

Godwin Manufacturing Company, Inc. (Godwin) is recalling certain model year 2010 Ford F-450; 2011 Ford F-550; 2012 Ford F-350 and 2013 F-350 Super Duty trucks modified by Godwin 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

Godwin will notify 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 October 28, 2014. Owners may contact Godwin customer service at 1-800-892-0181.

14V360000OtherJune 23, 2014 · 10 units

Defect

Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet 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

Palfleet will notify 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 July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.

14V328000OtherJune 13, 2014 · 21 units

Defect

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

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

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify 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 July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

14V326000OtherJune 13, 2014 · 10 units

Defect

Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Manning 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

Manning will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. This action is the same as the service campaign action. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Manning at 1-800-876-8768.

14V327000OtherJune 12, 2014 · 10 units

Defect

Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl 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

Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.

14V379000OtherJune 10, 2014 · 16 units

Defect

Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Utility Truck) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 UTLI41A, 2011 UTLN41, and 2012 UTLN46 aerial trucks manufactured December 2010 to September 2013 equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies installed on 2010-2013 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles. 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

Utility Truck will notify 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 in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1-254-857-8813.

14V382000OtherJune 10, 2014 · 4 units

Defect

Somerset Welding & Steel, doing business as J&J Truck equipment (J&J), is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis with 6.8L gasoline engines modified by J&J to be 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

Somerset will notify 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 August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1-800-777-2671.

14V307000OtherJune 4, 2014 · 19 units

Defect

Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical 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

Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 45 MPH IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC AND A STOP SAFELY NOW MESSAGE CAME ON MY MESSAGE BOARD AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT MY TRUCK DOWN ON THE ROAD BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND I WAS PULLING A DUMP TRAILER. THERE WAS NO WAY TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE ROAD AND NO WHERE TO PUSH IT TO IF I WAS ABLE .…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 26, 2014

FORD SUPER DUTY TRUCK DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION AT 70MPH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT INSTANTLY. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, I HAD TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY WHICH CAUSED OTHER TRAFFIC TO HAVE TO AVOID ME. INVESTIGATED ONLINE,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 25, 2016

THIS TRUCK WHILE DRIVING DOWNTOWN THE INTERSTATE AFTER CROSSING A BRIDGE DID A VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND NEARLY CAUSE ME TO HIT ANOTHER CAR AND WRECK. I HAD TO SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A COMPLETE STOP TO GET IT TO STOP. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ALSO FAMILY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 3, 2017

DRIVING 70 MPH ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM BELTS ON TIRE DAMAGING THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, BODY, TRIM AND BUMPER. TIRE WAS A FACTORY INSTALLED (BOUGHT THE 2012 F350 NEW) GENERAL GRABBER HTS SIZE 245/75 R 17 WITH 54,000 MILES ON THEM. DOT # IS A343 47DB

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 2, 2017

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 3, 2014

2012 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 50 complaints put the 2012 model at #16 of 34 F-350 Sd years. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 F-350 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (12 complaints), suspension (10 complaints), steering (9 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford F-350 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 Ford F-350 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.