2012 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 149 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (27% of complaints); the 2013 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 149 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the message "Loss of Engine Power" was displayed before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and DTC: P0087, P2291, and P2A00 were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,843.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2025
“Bosch CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump failed in transit cost $10,713 to repair only 155k miles on new engine. Diesel fuel spilled from engine on highway, lucky no fire. Ford no help.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2025
“Truck has a random death wabble and differnt speeds. I've taken the truck to three differnt ford dealers multiple times and they alll can't find any worn parts, the dealers all with say ford knows there is a saftey issue with the trucks but don't have a real fix for the issue. several other ford owners have the same issues”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“2012 F350 Lariat 4x4, 125000 miles. While driving at 65 mph. I hit a spilt in the highway and the truck went into a death wobble, the most violent and scary thing to experience on the crowded highway. Only thing I could do was let it slow down coasting when it finally went away I accelerated back to highway speed and hit yet another bump in the highway and it went into another death wobble so violent I could not control the truck. This truck has no lift and is stock. This will kill someone one day or cause a serious accident. Ford should own this defect and fix it before they responsible for actual death.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2024
“We have a 2012 Ford F30 Diesel and We are having issues with one of the Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors (Bank 1 Sensor 3) which would have been covered under Ford's Recall Campaign# 15M02. However, since our vehicle is 11 years and 9 mo old, they are declining coverage as the campaign is limited to 11 years.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2024
“I was on the road and I hit a bump on the freeway only going between 55 and 65 mph and the Truck immediately started to whobble out of control I almost hit the car next to me because I could not control it . It was a life and death experience I could never shake off . I spoke to the dealer and they claimed they had never heard of such thing and acted like they didn't believe me. What ever is wrong with it needs to be recalled because I'm surprised that no one was hurt on rush our in a busy city like Salt Lake City. Ford is being very irresponsible for not fixing the problem.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2024
“Component; Fuel filter Component Available; Yes Safety; Fuel leak on engine ( Fire Risk ) Reproduced; No Inspected; No Warnings; Smell of fuel/Fuel on ground and water”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2023
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the horn was not functioning properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clockspring. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V337000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“Bcm body control module is faulty so far my brights no longer work my fog lights no longer work and my left rear turn signal no longer works it is slowly getting worse taking out more and more components on the truck part is backorder with over 2070 of them requested threw ford with no update on when the part will be available”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2023
“While driving at speed higher than 60 miles, when hit a small road bump or imperfection, front wheels start to wobble uncontrollably, up to a point where steering becomes impossible to steer, making it very hard to control the vehicle. This is a life threatening event! As far as I know it is a problem that happens a lot on this particular model.”Owner report · Steering · May 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH FUNCTION AND REPLACE THE SWITCH IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
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.
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.
Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. The tailpipe on the exhaust system does not extend out beyond the edge of the body, allowing heat to build up in rear curbside storage compartment.
Remedy: Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1-502-426-5210.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 149 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is steering (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.