VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford F-450 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2012 Ford F-450 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other F-450 years?

F-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted33 complaints1990: 2 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 12 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 32 complaints2020: 33 complaints
F-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-450 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford F-450 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine935%
Other415%
Steering312%
Fuel System312%
Suspension312%
Electrical System28%
Lighting14%
Tires & Wheels14%

Does the 2012 Ford F-450 have recalls?

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

14V498000OtherAugust 13, 2014 · 3 units

Defect

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.

13V535000EngineOctober 30, 2013 · 2,951 units

Defect

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.

13V380000EngineAugust 23, 2013 · 37 units

Defect

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.

11V582000TransmissionDecember 8, 2011 · 16,091 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE ENGINE ON OUR 2012 FORD AMBULANCE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DERATED. THIS CAUSED OUR AMBULANCE TO SLOW DRAMATICALLY AND DELAYED TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BROUGHT THE AMBULANCE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ENTIRE DEF SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 30, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 3, 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 3, 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 3, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 12, 2016

2012 Ford F-450 — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford F-450 reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 F-450 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (9 complaints), other (4 complaints), steering (3 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford F-450 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford F-450. 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-450 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-450 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-450 years to avoid are 2020, 2019. The cleanest record among F-450 years belongs to 2010.

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.