2012 Ford F-550 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 69%of 13 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Ford F-550, 69% of the 13 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Diesel exhaust fluid system failed shutting down my vehicle while driving and I had to be towed to a Ford dealer. This is a safety issue and could have caused a major accident on the highway. I never got a recall notice about this major problem. Now I am told I would have to spend over $5000.00 to get this problem fixed. Ford had gotten many complaints about this issue. They should pay to have this repair done. I only had this vehicle for a short time and paid over $59,000 for it. I tried to contact several Ford executives over two weeks ago and heard back from none.”
NHTSA complaint #10966637, filed 2017-03, 102,000 miles“I have only used the truck for five months and have had several business interruptions and issues with the truck from the gas tank leaking, problems with the brakes and the box hoist that would not raise. I have had the box hoist fixed multiple times but the weld keeps breaking. I am sure Ford knows about the hoist problem but they have not issued any recalls for it. As a consumer I feel cheated. My recent problem is the engine, it had stalled unexpectedly and shut down completely for no reason at all and without warning while my son was driving on the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11252148, filed 2019-08“The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-550. While driving 65 MPH with the exhaust cleaning cycle operated, the cycle suddenly stopped. The vehicle lost power, stalled, and the check oil warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on two separate occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10923835, filed 2016-11, 36,000 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-550. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact made multiple attempts to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle repeatedly failed to start up. Due to the failure, the contact called the dealer and had the vehicle towed there for an inspection. The contact then called an independent mechanic who informed him that based on what he described; his vehicle had experienced engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11462602, filed 2022-04, 35,800 miles“While driving vehicle on trail it was noticed that smoke and fire were coming from the undercarriage. Driver attempted to put the fire out with the vehicle supplied fire extinguisher. After the extinguisher ran out the vehicle fire accelerated and totally engulfed the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11354215, filed 2020-09Related recalls
- 13V535000Oct 30, 2013Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October…Covers: Ford F-550 2011–2012, F-350 2011–2012, F-450 2011–2012
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Ford F-550
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Ford F-550
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology