2012 Ford F-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Ford F-450 has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 13th worst of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict that's capped due to 11 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit. Owners most often reported Engine problems, at a median 60,836 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 F-450 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2012 Ford F-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (41%)
- Steering5 (29%)
- Other4 (24%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (24%)
- Brakes3 (18%)
- Electrical System3 (18%)
- Fuel System3 (18%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine loses power or shuts down without warning, sometimes while the vehicle is in motion or carrying a patient.
- EGT exhaust gas temperature sensors fail and disable the engine, in one case preventing the vehicle from starting for an emergency call.
- Steering shakes or wobbles violently at highway speed, especially after hitting bumps or bridges, making the truck hard to control.
- High-pressure fuel pump sheds metal shavings, requiring repeated fuel system replacement.
- Turn signal switch only blinks a partial number of times instead of engaging a full turn signal.
- A front tire suddenly went flat at highway speed, followed by loud suspension noise.
2012 Ford F-450 recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V175000Mar 25, 2015Transmission & Powertrain6,322 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.
Risk: Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.
- NHTSA 14V498000Aug 13, 2014Other3 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V360000Jun 23, 2014Other10 vehicles
Equipment
Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet 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.
Risk: 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: Palfleet will notify 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 July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.
2012 compared with other F-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford F-450 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 F-450 a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 13th worst out of 21 model years for this model. Its verdict is Caution, driven mainly by Engine complaints and capped by 11 recall campaigns.
- What year Ford F-450 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2024 F-450s carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 80, 90, 75, 95, and 85 respectively. The 2012 model is rated Caution, not Avoid.
- Does the 2012 Ford F-450 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2012 F-450, most involving PTO pressure switch replacements from various truck body upfitters and one Powertrain Control Module software update.
- What is the top problem area for the 2012 Ford F-450?
- Engine complaints lead at 7 complaints, or 41% of reported problems, with a median failure mileage of 60,836 miles.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Ford F-450 have?
- NHTSA has 17 complaints on file for the 2012 F-450, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.