Skip to content
Ford F-250 SDModel year report

2012 Ford F-250 SD Problems

Compared with other Ford F-250 SD years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.2× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
57filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
55,118miles, 54 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this 2012 Ford F-250 SD most often describe engines that shut down or stall, often with a stop-safely warning and often linked to exhaust gas temperature sensor failures, and steering wobble or violent front-end shaking, often called death wobble. Fuel system faults and brake problems, such as sticking calipers and weak braking, are also reported. Shutdowns are often described as sudden with little warning, and listed mileage spans from about 7,000 to about 200,000 miles.

  1. Engine

    Engine shutdowns and stalls with stop warnings

    • 21 complaints (37%)
    • median 55,369 mi at 3.1 yrs old (20 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2013–2017

    Owners describe the engine shutting down or stalling while driving, often after a stop-safely message or similar warning appears on the instrument panel. Many describe little or no warning before the shutdown, and some say the engine would not restart, or that power steering and power brakes were lost. In several complaints the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor was replaced, and some owners describe a repeat failure or repeated shutdowns after that repair. Among complaints that list mileage, the range is about 13,800 to 96,000 miles, and several shutdowns happen at highway speeds of about 55 to 70 mph.

    What to check: Ask whether the EGT sensor was replaced and whether any stop-safely warning or shutdown has recurred, and review service records for repeat visits or towing for the same symptom.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving my son to school and as I approached the entrance to the school the alarm chimed. I slowed down on a busy 4 lane street to turn into the school parking lot. As I tried to accelerate the truck shut off leaving me sitting in the middle of an intersection with a 3 year old in the backseat in a car seat. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10695536, filed 2015-03, 24,000 miles

    “Caution light came on advising me to safely pull over and stop. I pulled over into a gas station and the truck stalled as I was coming to a stop. Engine would not restart immediately. I checked oil level and everything looked fine. After approximately 10 minutes the truck restarted and I drove strait to the Ford dealership in huntsville, alabama about 15 miles away and they replaced an egt sensor.”

    NHTSA complaint #10676921, filed 2015-01, 30,000 miles
  2. Steering

    Steering wobble and front-end shaking at speed

    • 19 complaints (33%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
    • filed 2014–2023

    Owners describe violent steering wheel shaking or front-end wobble, often called death wobble, that begins after a bump, a bridge joint, or a patched road surface. Several say the truck becomes hard or impossible to steer until they slow down, and some describe losing control or moving into another lane. Owners report that repairs such as steering stabilizers, tie rod ends, track bar bushings, steering arms, alignments, and tires did not always stop the problem, and some say the dealer could not find the source of it. Among complaints that list mileage, the range is about 20,000 to 168,000 miles, and many are triggered by a bump or road joint at speeds of about 35 to 65 mph.

    What to check: Ask whether the steering stabilizer, track bar, tie rod ends, and alignment were checked and whether the wobble returned, and test the steering on a rough road at highway speed during a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After hitting patched portion on road front wheels began to shake violently. Steering wheel shook. Stopped vehicle and inspected. Saw no damage so I continued to drive. I then took to local Ford dealer for repair. Not finding anything as of this date 8/30.”

    NHTSA complaint #10629639, filed 2014-08, 82,387 miles

    “While traveling east bound on interstate 10 crossing over siegen lane, truck passed over small bump in interstate and started to violently shake the entire truck almost to the point of no control. I immediately pulled over to inspect my truck. There was no damage and all tires were in good condition. When I started again the vehicle was fine. This was the first of 12 incidents of what I have come to know from research as the death wobble . …”

    NHTSA complaint #11298690, filed 2020-01, 168,000 miles
  3. Brakes

    Brake squeal, sticking calipers, and weak braking

    • 6 complaints (11%)
    • median 64,073 mi at 4.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2018

    Owners describe spongy brake pedal travel, with the pedal dropping far before the truck slows, and in one case the truck went through a stop light before the owner could react. Other complaints describe a loud squeal from the wheels, which dealers traced to brake calipers that were sticking. According to a complaint, the dealer replaced the front calipers, rotors, and pads without clear improvement. Another owner says braking did not work properly when the truck shook over bumps. Among complaints that list mileage, the range is about 29,000 to 66,000 miles, and a squeal is described when starting from a parked position.

    What to check: Check whether the brake pedal feels firm and stops the truck evenly on a test drive, and ask whether any caliper or brake pedal repairs are on record.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Ford dealer reviewed squealing and determined the brake calipers were sticking. This problem is noted in a tech service bulletin from Ford for model year 2011. Dealer indicated this problem has been noticed on other f250 model year 2012 but no TSB from Ford. Dealer replaced calipers on all wheels.”

    NHTSA complaint #10763975, filed 2015-09, 62,000 miles

    “Brakes are spongy have blown through stop light twice without time to pump brakes. Dealer replaced front calipers resurfaced rotors and replaced pads at my expense no improvement. Pedal travels 1/2 to 3/4 to floor on initial braking without significantly slowing vehicle, better each time you pump brakes. While towing trailer gain has to be on full so trailer brakes can help stop vehicle, vehicle brakes are insufficient. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10883848, filed 2016-07, 36,000 miles
  4. Fuel system

    Fuel pump and fuel system contamination

    • 6 complaints (11%)
    • median 53,582 mi at 3.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2014–2015

    Owners describe engines that die, lose power, or will not run, with several diagnoses pointing to the fuel system. One complaint describes a high-pressure fuel pump failure, and the owner says debris from the pump can damage the injectors and fuel rail. Another reports reduced power and a check engine light at highway speed, and a second dealer found an unknown substance in the fuel tank. A further complaint describes a stall in traffic and a dealer diagnosis of water in the fuel system, which the owner disputes, noting no warning light came on. Among complaints that list mileage, the range is about 19,000 to 76,000 miles, and the symptoms are described while driving, including at highway speed and in traffic.

    What to check: Ask for repair records showing whether the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel tank were inspected for debris or contamination, and check the dash for fuel system warnings on a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The high pressure fuel pump failed. I have taken the truck to two different dealerships and they have said the same thing. They are saying that it is a fuel issue but the pump on the truck isn't equipped with the incorrect fuel pump for the diesel that is sold in the us. I have spent just about $2000.00 just fighting the warranty company to fix the truck I drove for 10 days before failing. The truck has been in the shop longer than I have had it.”

    NHTSA complaint #10701801, filed 2015-03, 76,000 miles

    “Traveling down the highway at 55mph with cruise set and hit brake to turn corner. Engine immediately died with subsequent loss of power brakes and steering--scary because it happened at a critical time while turning a corner on a highway. Absolutely no warning--engine seemed fine prior. Truck would not start. Towed the dead truck to nearest Ford dealer in wellington, ks. High pressure fuel pump failure was the diagnosis. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10746415, filed 2015-08, 72,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want a test drive on rough roads at highway speed to check for steering wobble, and ask for records of any steering, fuel system, or EGT sensor repairs. Asking whether any stop-safely warnings or shutdowns were reported and repaired can help show how these problems were handled.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 57 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD. 54 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,118 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 136 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 13 Ford F-250 SD model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (2), Air bags (1), Electronic stability control (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11234703, filed 2019-07, 70,000 miles

Engine: “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! …”

NHTSA complaint #10660713, filed 2014-11, 16,000 miles

Suspension: “Clear and dry road conditions. Factory truck. Driving at 65 MPH with steering wheel slightly turned to the left, the road made a transition from concrete to asphalt with a slight rise in road surface and the commonly worded death wobble took over violently and rapidly pulling my steering wheel back and forth until I eventually brought the vehicle to a stop as it the truck took itself into the median. Under nearly the exact same conditions around 100 miles later also ending with the vehicle in the median.”

NHTSA complaint #10629692, filed 2014-08, 105,000 miles

Electrical system: “Driving on a highway at about 65 MPH ,my truck stoped running. The computer said it was low on oil,it was not. This happened approx. 6 more times before I got home. I didn't where a Ford dealer was so I took my truck to a truck repair shop,the truck stopped 3 more times. They fixed a wireing problem in the engine compartment, thay charged me 526.58 for the repairs. Ford would not reimburse me. Has this been a problem?”

NHTSA complaint #11113376, filed 2018-07, 49,775 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 54 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 72,000 miles.

2%0–1013%10–2528%25–5033%50–7517%75–1004%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (54 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 55,118 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20132014182015201620172018201920202023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 136 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 136 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford F-250 SD

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20269128———Too new
2025173,1068———Too new
2024406,0004——Too new to compareToo new
2023434,50016——54 · TypicalToo new
202212639,00017——68 · MoreRising
202116745,95012——77 · MoreRising
202026751,49814——93 · MoreRising
20191,16520,20011——100 · MoreFalling
201839928,0009——100 · MoreFalling
20171,15529,00014——100 · MoreFalling
201629163,0003——45 · TypicalStable
201529669,3612——45 · TypicalFalling
20142668,5000——0 · FewerStable
20132142,0000———Falling
20125755,1180——0 · FewerStable
201112234,5000——25 · FewerStable
20103244,5180——0 · FewerStable
20092330,5070———Stable
200814143,9100——14 · FewerStable
20075430,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200627440,0001——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200529541,4503——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200425455,8382——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200317849,0004——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200224575,0003——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200128874,2542——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200023379,1502——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199924997,0002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19973995,0002——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199611104,0001———Not enough data
19959157,6051———Not enough data

All Ford F-250 SD model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford F-250 SD?

Owners of this 2012 Ford F-250 SD most often describe engines that shut down or stall, often with a stop-safely warning and often linked to exhaust gas temperature sensor failures, and steering wobble or violent front-end shaking, often called death wobble. The issues reported most often: Engine shutdowns and stalls with stop warnings; Steering wobble and front-end shaking at speed; Brake squeal, sticking calipers, and weak braking.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Ford F-250 SD have?

NHTSA recorded 57 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Ford F-250 SD is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 18 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine with 15.

Has the 2012 Ford F-250 SD been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Ford F-250 SD reported?

Among the 54 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,118 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 72,000 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.