2012 Ford F-550 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Ford F-550 has a complaint index of 60, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 19 complaints, 15 recall campaigns, one fire, one crash, and no deaths for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 F-550 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 15
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2012 Ford F-550 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine13 (68%)
- Electrical System3 (16%)
- Fuel System3 (16%)
- Other3 (16%)
- Brakes2 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (11%)
- Steering1 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine losing power or stalling suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes with all interior power cutting out.
- Some describe a turbo becoming stuck with a loud banging noise and reduced engine power at low speed.
- One owner reported smoke and fire coming from the undercarriage while driving off-road, requiring a fire extinguisher.
- Fuel tank mounting brackets have broken loose, dragging the tank on pavement and throwing sparks.
- Wiring harnesses reportedly were routed incorrectly under the cab, pinching wires and causing dead shorts that drained batteries.
- A diesel exhaust fluid system failure shut down the vehicle while driving, requiring a tow.
2012 Ford F-550 recalls
15 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 15V112000Feb 25, 2015Other117 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Remedy: Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- 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.
2012 compared with other F-550 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford F-550 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 F-550 a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 21 model years. Engine problems make up 68% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford F-550?
- Engine issues account for 68% of complaints, followed by electrical system and fuel system problems at 16% each. Median mileage at failure across complaints ranges widely, with fuel system failures reported around 83,316 miles.
- Does the 2012 Ford F-550 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2012 F-550, mostly involving power take-off (PTO) pressure switches on upfitted trucks and a transmission control module software update for ambulance and fire engine packages. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 F-550 compare to other years?
- The 2012 model's complaint index of 60 is worse than years like 2005 (35, Good) and 2007 (45, Good), but better than 2022 (100, Avoid) and 2021 (95, Avoid), which rank as the worst years for this model.