2012 Ford F-250 recalls and problems

The 2012 Ford F-250 has 1 recall and 266 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is suspension.

2012 Ford F-250
Photo: 2012 Ford F-250 by U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2012 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 15 F-250 model years — 2nd most.

1recalls
266complaints
4crashes
5fires
5injuries
79,500median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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1 recall

Power Train

Dec 8, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V582000 · 16,091 vehicles

Problem: 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, â“theft protection.┠the transmission can be shifted out of the park position without pressing the brake pedal due to brake shift interlock switch problem.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This will allow the operator to inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without the brake pedal being depressed, increasing the risk of a crash or injury to a nearby pedestrian.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS WILL ALLOW THE OPERATOR TO INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2011: 1 complaints20112012: 4 complaints2013: 13 complaints20132014: 18 complaints2015: 19 complaints20152016: 15 complaints2017: 17 complaints20172018: 17 complaints2019: 25 complaints20192020: 47 complaints472021: 38 complaints20212022: 20 complaints2023: 10 complaints20232024: 8 complaints2025: 10 complaints20252026: 4 complaints20264

NHTSA investigations

Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown

RQ14005 · opened Jan 13, 2015 · closed Mar 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000
Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made nume…

2012 vs. other Ford F-250 years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2012 Ford F-250, the latest from Dec 8, 2011 (power train). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention suspension (125), steering (112), engine (39). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.