CSR

Ford · NHTSA safety record

2012 Ford F-250

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

266

Complaints

4

Crashes

5

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Ford F-250 have filed 266 safety complaints with NHTSA between December 2011 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the suspension, named in 125 of them (47%). The typical failure was reported at 79,750 miles, the median across the 198 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle.

Recalls (1)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

11V582000 · December 8, 2011

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · up to 16,091 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown

RQ14005

Closed recall query · opened January 13, 2015 · closed March 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000

the electrical system, the engine, the engine and its cooling

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 numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 266.

SUSPENSION 125 47%
STEERING 112 42%
ENGINE 27 10%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 7%
WHEELS 16 6%
POWER TRAIN 15 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14 5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 3%
STRUCTURE 9 3%
AIR BAGS 5 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 47.

2011 2020 2026
2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

Driver and passenger front air bags did not deploy. Side air bags did deploy. Was hit front passenger side by ford explorer. Then hit by dodge truck head on. Then stuck by dodge truck on passenger side behind back door.

NHTSA complaint 11509470. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 59,667 miles

COLLIED WITH A VEHICLE STOPPING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. DAMAGES INCLUDE FRAME DAMAGE, SMASHED IN FRONT END. HAD TO KICK THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN TO GET OUT. NO AIRBAGS EVER DEPLOYED. ENDED UP WITH HEAD LACERATIONS. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10610938. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

1 injured · 101,000 miles

ON MY 2012 FORD F250 IT HAS THE CRANK CASE VENTILATION FILTER THAT LEAKS OIL INTO THE INTAKE I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF POST ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM IT SORTA FEELS LIKE FORD WANTS OUR TRUCKS TO BREAK SOBWE HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE THE FILTER IS CHEAP BUT ITS A DEFECT THAT THE DEALER MADE THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE ALREADY BC OF THE DEF SENDING UNIT AND NOW WITH THIS PROBLEM THIA TRUCK ONLY HAS 101K MILES AND I FORGOT TO SAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT BUILDS UP EXTREAM PRESSURE ON THE OIL CAP WHEN IT OPENS UP IT THROWS OIL IN YOUR FACE I NEEDED TO GO TO THE EYE DOCTOR SO I COULD GET A FLUSH TRUST ME FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON THESE 6.7 THEY JUST HAVENT FIGURED OUT A SOLUTION TO KEEP THERE

NHTSA complaint 11403986, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 injured

Today, while my wife was exiting my F250, the passenger A pillar handle failed and my wife fell to the ground. She sustained injuries to her hand and leg.

NHTSA complaint 11428398. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

477,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that they discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 141,000. It was later discovered upon checking Carfax, that the mileage was 477,000.

NHTSA complaint 11741810. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Over 1 year (2025) steering front end shaking began. Our dealership on oil changes did not tell us to watch for anything and we should have been warned. When the shaking occurred we changed Ford shock asborbers from Ford dealership. Problem still occured. We lost faith in Ford and our regular dealership. We then at Moore's tires purchased 4 Michelin premium tires for F250 heavy duty truck and told them about the severe shaking in front end that we will crash because we can't maintain control only to pull off the road with a prayer. Very difficult when this happens on the route 80 highway going 70 mph speed limit. So, Moore's tires store replaced with new tires and replaced some suspension

NHTSA complaint 11732808, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CP4 pump continuous failure sending metal into the fuel system. Ford still uses an inferior product causing truck owners up to $18000 in repairs.

NHTSA complaint 11730059. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

330,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 219,825 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was over 330,000.

NHTSA complaint 11724570. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STEERING
I bought this truck used from a dealership in 2022-23 haven't really had any problems till about 2 months ago. Front end started a wobble. A friend of mine just sent me information NHTSA put out about the Death Wobble. I believe it expired in 2024. I never received any kind of recall on this. I was wondering if it would still be something I could get looked into. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint 11703811. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I just had to replace the ECM because it fired. after replacing that it still won't start. I've talked to multiple people who have had the same problem.

NHTSA complaint 11675751. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford F-250

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2014 142 0
2013 95 0
2011 248 2
2010 73 0

Other 2012 Ford models

Every Ford on this site — 348 vehicles, 1210 recall campaigns and 10 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst