Most common 2012 Ford F-550 problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-550 complaints by model year
Best F-550 years: 2013, 2016. Years to avoid: 2020, 2019, 2017. Compare all years →
2012 Ford F-550 recalls (5)
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.
Fuel system, other › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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.
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.
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 2 possible defects involving the 2012 Ford F-550:
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.
CNG Fuel Container Securement
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is aware of 1 incident related to the alleged defect. By letter dated January 10, 2014, Almared, Inc. (doing business as A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems) has notified ODI that it has conducted a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 14V-040) to address a safety defect in 18 model year 2011-2012 Ford F-550 transit buses manufactured between May 2011 and April 2013.
What 2012 Ford F-550 owners say
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-550 chassis with an Earth Roamer RV. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the turbocharger needle on the instrument cluster fell to zero. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the abnormal banging sound was louder, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled off the highway and then stated that the power steering had failed. The contact was turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering and the abnormal engine sound remained present. The contact was able to drive several yards before the vehicle stalled. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact made multiple attempts to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle repeatedly failed to start up. Due to the failure, the contact called the dealer and had the vehicle towed there for an inspection. The contact then called an independent mechanic who informed him that based on what he described; his vehicle had experienced engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 35,800.
Fuel & propulsion system
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 get this problem fixed. Ford had gotten many complaints about this issue. They should pay to have this repair done. I only had this vehicle for a short time and paid over $59,000 for it. I tried to contact several Ford executives over two weeks ago and heard back from none.
I have only used the truck for five months and have had several business interruptions and issues with the truck from the gas tank leaking, problems with the brakes and the box hoist that would not raise. I have had the box hoist fixed multiple times but the weld keeps breaking. I am sure Ford knows about the hoist problem but they have not issued any recalls for it. As a consumer I feel cheated. My recent problem is the engine, it had stalled unexpectedly and shut down completely for no reason at all and without warning while my son was driving on the highway. It was a safety issue and put my son's life at risk. I looked up the above VIN number on the internet but could not find direct recalls relating to it. Ford has put out recalls on some of the engines for Ford f550s yr 2012 but only for ambulance type trucks not dump trucks. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-550 a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 F-550 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-550 at the same age. 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-550?
The engine & cooling — 10 complaints, 77% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-550 have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2012 Ford F-550, 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-550?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2013 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2020, 2019 and 2017. See the full Ford F-550 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-550 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 27% 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.