2012 Ford F-250 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Ford F-250.

20112013
Complaints
517
per 10K Sold
7.5
US Sales
692,589
Crashes
8
Fires
8
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2012 Ford F-250 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1133 complaints

Suspension Failures

Avg mileage:87,655 mi
Crash-related:1
#2129 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:90,779 mi
#342 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:62,747 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Ford F-250.

Suspension Failures
133
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
87,655
Steering Defects
129
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,779
Engine Problems
42
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
62,747
Electrical Faults
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
68,131
Wheel Issues
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
97,616
Fuel System
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
74,621
Transmission / Drivetrain
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
73,037
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,694
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,218
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
47,111
Body Structure
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
86,778
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
110,142
Diesel Fuel System
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
76,921
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
39,827
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
71,409
Suspension:Front
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
170,000
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Instrument Panel:Speedometer/Odometer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Diesel: Pre-Heater
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Ford F-250. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Ford F-250

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~16,091 vehicles.

11V582000Automatic Transmission
~16,091 affected

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.

Other Ford F-250 Years

2012 Ford F-250 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2012 Ford F-250 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Ford F-250 has 517 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Suspension Failures with 133 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Ford F-250?
Top reported problems: Suspension Failures (133 complaints, avg 87,655 mi); Steering Defects (129 complaints, avg 90,779 mi); Engine Problems (42 complaints, avg 62,747 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Ford F-250?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 80,798 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Ford F-250?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Ford F-250 include 8 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 16,091 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2012 Ford F-250?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford F-250 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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