Most common 2012 Ford F-250 SD problems
Share of the 57 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-250 SD complaints by model year
Best F-250 SD years: 2013, 2014, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2016. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Ford F-250 SD:
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect.
What 2012 Ford F-250 SD owners say
Engine & cooling all 22 →
While traveling I-10 west near crestview, fl at approximately 70 MPH, I received a Ford diagnostic screen notification to stop vehicle immediately. I pulled over on the side of the interstate and slowed the truck to a stop. The engine shut off immediately when I fully stopped. I attempted to restart the truck, but the truck engine would not even 'turn over'. There was no additional information provided by the Ford diagnostic screen. I was stranded on the side of the interstate with family members and luggage at 8 pm on a Sunday night, and 2 hours from home (mississippi). I had the truck towed to the nearest Ford dealership. The next day, the dealership informed me that it was a egt sensor failure. This is unbelievable that a failed sensor would leave me stranded without a previous warning stating the shutdown would occur. …
After driving for 5 minutes a warning light came on for the rear locking differential- no change in the drivability. About 5 minutes after that the computer started flashing different symbols indicating many problems- the alarms were going off non-stop- then the engine was shut down by the computer. This truck is heavy and I May have caused an accident when it happened because I had to use all my strength to keep it on the road and went into the other lane! If this happened while towing a load on one of the mountain passes I could have been seriously injured or killed- and hurt or killed others! Ford has had bad diesel engines since they dropped the 7.3 years ago and are ripping off people in this country- please don't let someone die over a known problem. Seems cheaper for Ford to put us in danger by shutting down this engine and therefore not replacing the engine and computer system.
Steering
Ford super duty has been in shop for death wobble numerous times and when we get vehicle back still is the issue. Very unsafe and hard to stable once it starts. Even auto shop people when thought fixed drove and scared them. Whole truck shakes uncontrollably. Very poor on Ford for no recall with this happening. Why buy truck if you can't drive it for work duties.
Vehicle mileage approximately 70,000. At speeds between 35-65 MPH any minor bump will cause truck to begin to vibrate throughout the steering system and subsequently wobble violently. Applying the brakes makes it worse until the truck slows down below 35mph. The truck is not able to be steered during this event. I have taken it to several reputable mechanics and they have assured me this discrepancy is in many f-250s and no one has the complete solution. I contacted Ford motor company customer service and they have no interest or expectation of a recall. They did tell me to take it to a Ford dealership for repair. The local Ford dealership gave me a quote to replace- tie rods, tie rod ends, ball joints, drag link, and 'steering components'. They said it was the second truck brought in this week. …
Suspension
Ford super duty has been in shop for death wobble numerous times and when we get vehicle back still is the issue. Very unsafe and hard to stable once it starts. Even auto shop people when thought fixed drove and scared them. Whole truck shakes uncontrollably. Very poor on Ford for no recall with this happening. Why buy truck if you can't drive it for work duties.
Vehicle mileage approximately 70,000. At speeds between 35-65 MPH any minor bump will cause truck to begin to vibrate throughout the steering system and subsequently wobble violently. Applying the brakes makes it worse until the truck slows down below 35mph. The truck is not able to be steered during this event. I have taken it to several reputable mechanics and they have assured me this discrepancy is in many f-250s and no one has the complete solution. I contacted Ford motor company customer service and they have no interest or expectation of a recall. They did tell me to take it to a Ford dealership for repair. The local Ford dealership gave me a quote to replace- tie rods, tie rod ends, ball joints, drag link, and 'steering components'. They said it was the second truck brought in this week. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-250 SD a good car?
Based on 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 F-250 SD rates better than average: 64% fewer complaints than a typical year of the F-250 SD at the same age. It is one of the best F-250 SD years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford F-250 SD?
The engine & cooling — 22 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › diesel. Next are the steering (18) and suspension (14).
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-250 SD have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-250 SD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013, 2014 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2016. See the full Ford F-250 SD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-250 SD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.