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Ford F-450Model year report

2012 Ford F-450 Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
58,380miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Ford F-450 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford F-450. The part named most often is engine, with 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by other or unknown (4) and fuel system (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 58,380 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Engine: “While transporting a patient to the hospital the engine on our 2012 Ford ambulance suddenly and without warning derated. This caused our ambulance to slow dramatically and delayed transport to the hospital. We brought the ambulance to the dealer who stated the entire def system would need to be replaced at a cost of $5,000! I researching the internet this is not an uncommon problem. I contacted the regional manager for Ford and have had no response.”

NHTSA complaint #10872171, filed 2016-06, 75,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Driving down the highway in the rain truck started shaking could not hold steering wheel . Truck started going sideways on highway from shaking/ wobble. Truck shuts off driving down the road with no warning no steering or brakes towing equipment. I have had my 1 year old daughter in truck almost in a accident 2 times now from trucks death wobble and motor shutting off towing equipment.”

NHTSA complaint #10808462, filed 2015-12, 65,378 miles

Fuel system: “1/28/14- hpfp metal shavings found after engine power down, all fuel system replaced. After only a few months (4/10/14) same thing. On 4/25/16 same thing. No warrant. Ford knows this has been ongoing issue, refuses to warranty while other mfg, ie vw does cover same part. I would welcome class action suit.”

NHTSA complaint #10871367, filed 2016-05, 36,220 miles

Steering: “I took my Ford F-450 lariat for its 60,000 miles service. After the service was done, while driving it home from the Ford dealership (autonation Ford in corpus christi, tx), on the freeway as soon as I got to around 50 miles per hour the vehicle's front started to shake/wobble very violently. Speeding up to the speed limit (60 MPH) did not help and the shaking got actually worst, I had to stop for the shaking/wobbling to stop, thankfully I was still on the right lane and there was a wide enough shoulder for me to stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10873258, filed 2016-06, 63,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,500 and 67,911 miles.

17%0–100%10–2517%25–5042%50–7517%75–1008%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 58,380 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20122014201520164201920202026
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

Recall details for the 2012 Ford F-450 → · Check a 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. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 15 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford F-450

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20202487,0001———Rising
20192026,0004———Stable
20181018,0003———Not enough data
20172155,7004———Falling
2015634,8142———Not enough data
2013683,0001———Not enough data
20121458,3804———Not enough data
2011978,3362———Not enough data

All Ford F-450 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Ford F-450 have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford F-450 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Ford F-450 is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 4.

Has the 2012 Ford F-450 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Ford F-450 reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 58,380 miles and the middle half falls between 38,500 and 67,911 miles; 33% 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.