Most common 2012 Ford F-450 problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-450 complaints by model year
Best F-450 years: 2013, 2015. Years to avoid: 2020, 2017, 2019, 2012. Compare all years →
2012 Ford F-450 recalls (4)
Equipment
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.
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.
Engine
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Ford F-450:
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-450 owners say
Engine & cooling
I was driving along my 2012 Ford f450superduty turbo diesel along the interstate 495 dc beltway in maryland with my seven year old son in the back seat, when a lcd in the middle of the speedometer gave a warning which read "reduced power" and could immediately feel a reduced responsiveness of the truck to the accelerator. A moment later another sign read " cleaning exhaust filter" which disappeared almost immediately. A moment later a final warning came up which read" stop at a safe location. I bearly pulled over to a dangerous shoulder when my truck shot down. At this point I could no longer move my truck to a safer location on the highway shoulder. The highway on which my truck stalled is the busiest highway in maryland. The truck stalling like the way it did put my life, my sons life and the lives of other motorists at risk at moment it did. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford f-450. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to stall and the check engine and oil pressure warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road as it stalled and turned off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then to bayshore Ford truck sales (located at 4003 n dupont hwy, new castle, de 19720, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 38,500.
Steering
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 a accident 2 times now from trucks death wobble and motor shutting off towing equipment.
I took my Ford f-450 lariat for its 60,000 miles service. After the service was done, while driving it home from the Ford dealership (autonation Ford in corpus christi, tx), on the freeway as soon as I got to around 50 miles per hour the vehicle's front started to shake/wobble very violently. Speeding up to the speed limit (60 MPH) did not help and the shaking got actually worst, I had to stop for the shaking/wobbling to stop, thankfully I was still on the right lane and there was a wide enough shoulder for me to stop. As soon as I restarted and got to about 50 MPH the violent shaking restarted, and I had to stop again for this shaking to stop. I exited the freeway at the first exit and drove back to the dealer. On the way back the violent shaking repeated at least 5 more times, once on the city street with 45 MPH speed limit. …
Suspension
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 a accident 2 times now from trucks death wobble and motor shutting off towing equipment.
I took my Ford f-450 lariat for its 60,000 miles service. After the service was done, while driving it home from the Ford dealership (autonation Ford in corpus christi, tx), on the freeway as soon as I got to around 50 miles per hour the vehicle's front started to shake/wobble very violently. Speeding up to the speed limit (60 MPH) did not help and the shaking got actually worst, I had to stop for the shaking/wobbling to stop, thankfully I was still on the right lane and there was a wide enough shoulder for me to stop. As soon as I restarted and got to about 50 MPH the violent shaking restarted, and I had to stop again for this shaking to stop. I exited the freeway at the first exit and drove back to the dealer. On the way back the violent shaking repeated at least 5 more times, once on the city street with 45 MPH speed limit. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-450 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 F-450 rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-450 at the same age. It is one of the F-450 years we suggest avoiding. 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-450?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › diesel. Next are the steering (3) and suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-450 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2012 Ford F-450, the most recent from August 13, 2014 (equipment). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-450?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2017, 2019 and 2012. See the full Ford F-450 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-450 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 33% 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.