VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford F-550 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2012 Ford F-550 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

20

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other F-550 years?

F-550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted23 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 17 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 6 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 19 complaints2018: 9 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 23 complaints
F-550 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-550 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford F-550 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1050%
Fuel System315%
Brakes210%
Steering15%
Suspension15%
Transmission15%
Electrical System15%
Other15%

Does the 2012 Ford F-550 have recalls?

5 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.

14V040000Fuel SystemFebruary 6, 2014 · 18 units

Defect

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.

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 DRIVING VEHICLE ON TRAIL IT WAS NOTICED THAT SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH THE VEHICLE SUPPLIED FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AFTER THE EXTINGUISHER RAN OUT THE VEHICLE FIRE ACCELERATED AND TOTALLY ENGULFED THE VEHICLE.*DT*JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 2, 2020 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 15, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAULING SAND AND REGROUND GRAVEL UP A HILL, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED GEARS, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 5, 2019 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-550. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS HAULING SAND AND REGROUND GRAVEL UP A HILL, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT RE-ENTERED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED GEARS, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 5, 2019 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 5, 2012

2012 Ford F-550 — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford F-550 reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 F-550 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (10 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford F-550 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford F-550. 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-550 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-550 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-550 years to avoid are 2020. The cleanest record among F-550 years belongs to 2015.

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.