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Exterior lightingPart report

2012 Ford F-250 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 266 total for the year
Median mileage
157,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 Ford F-250, 1% of the 266 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 157,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I bought a used 2012 f250 four wheel drive that had no dome, cargo, or map lights but everything else worked normal. After replacing bulbs, dimmer switch, and checking all fuses I took in to my Ford dealership and they found that due to moisture in the cab, it burned out the body control module aka bcm. Rumor has it that these trucks leak water from windshield or firewall. I paid 650 to have it replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #11120775, filed 2018-08, 157,000 miles

“Interior lights do not come on when door is opened, only can be manually turned on. The cargo lights and high brake like no longer work as well which is a safety issue with the center high brake light. Turns out a lot of 2012 f250 owners are complaining of the same issue and it's caused by the bcm. Body control module. It appears that a design flaw lets water drip on the module which eventually makes it no longer operate as explained by several repair shops I've contacted. The 2011 f250 has a recall for this same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11387243, filed 2021-01

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201411%
201333%
201231%
201110%
200811%
200712%
200631%
200311%
200232%
200031%
199971%
199824%
199731%
199621%
199511%
199443%
199311%
199133%
199011%
198835%

Other parts of the 2012 Ford F-250

Suspension
125 complaints
Steering
112 complaints
Engine
27 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Wheels
16 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaints
Engine cooling
12 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford F-250

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology