2012 Ford F-450 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Ford F-450.

20112013
Complaints
31
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
14

Worst 2012 Ford F-450 Problems

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

#15 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:72,603 mi
#25 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:50,844 mi
#33 complaints

Suspension Failures

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Ford F-450.

Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
72,603
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,844
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Ford F-450. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 Ford F-450

14 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~25,688 vehicles.

15V175000Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~6,322 affected

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.

14V507000Other Equipment
~76 affected

Jerr-Dan Corporation (Jerr-Dan) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Superduty chassis modified by Jerr-Dan 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.

14V498000Other Equipment
~3 affected

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.

14V496000Other Equipment
~88 affected

Versalift East, LLC (Versalift) is recalling certain Aerial devices manufactured on 2009-2013 Ford, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty 6.8L gas engine chassis, modified by Versalift and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products FR67 PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

14V494000Other Equipment
~49 affected

Vanair Manufacturing, Inc. (Vanair) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperDuty chassis modified by Vanair and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies used with model 60-85 UDSM, 125-185 USDM, and Genair 125-185 driven air compressor systems. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

14V360000Other Equipment
~10 affected

Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet 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.

14V328000Other Equipment
~21 affected

Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.

14V326000Other Equipment
~10 affected

Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Manning 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.

14V327000Other Equipment
~10 affected

Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl 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.

14V379000Other Equipment · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
~16 affected

Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Utility Truck) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 UTLI41A, 2011 UTLN41, and 2012 UTLN46 aerial trucks manufactured December 2010 to September 2013 equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies installed on 2010-2013 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust.

+ 4 more recalls

Other Ford F-450 Years

2012 Ford F-450 — FAQ

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

Is the 2012 Ford F-450 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Ford F-450 has 31 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 14 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 5 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Ford F-450?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (5 complaints, avg 72,603 mi); Steering Defects (5 complaints, avg 50,844 mi); Suspension Failures (3 complaints). 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-450?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 61,724 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
Does the 2012 Ford F-450 have any recalls?
Yes — 14 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 25,688 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-450?
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-450 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2012 Ford F-450

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