The 2012 Ford F-250 has 1 safety recall and 266 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (125 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints266filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 5reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
2012 Ford F-250 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 11V582000 · Dec 8, 2011 · 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, ÂTHEFT 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2012 Ford F-250 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x4
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
23.7%
2012 Ford F-250 Regular Cab PU/RC 4x2
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
2012 Ford F-250 Super Crew PU/CC 4x4
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
23.7%
2012 Ford F-250 Super Crew PU/CC 4x2
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
2012 Ford F-250 Supercab PU/EC 4x4
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
23.7%
2012 Ford F-250 Supercab PU/EC 4x2
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.1%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Suspension Front
125
1
0
0
86,700 mi
Steering
112
0
0
0
89,877 mi
Engine
27
0
1
1
50,000 mi
Unknown or other
25
0
1
0
89,755 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Diesel; Exhaust system
19
0
1
0
30,000 mi
Electrical system Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer; Wiring
18
0
4
0
98,202 mi
Wheels
16
0
0
0
108,657 mi
Power train Automatic transmission
15
0
0
0
82,750 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
14
0
0
0
75,000 mi
Service brakes
9
0
0
0
30,000 mi
Structure Body
9
1
0
2
100,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel Pre-heater
5
0
0
0
120,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2026 · 477,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer 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.
Jan 12, 2025Suspension 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…
Mar 27, 2026Fuel/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.
Mar 9, 2026 · 330,000 milesElectrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer 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.
Oct 10, 2025Steering 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.
Jun 9, 2025Engine 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.
Jul 7, 2018 · 27,500 milesPower train The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine seizure due to coolant intrusion in the engine. The contact stated that while the dealer was in the process of replacing the engine, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission also needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the engine and the transmission. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was bucking and jerking. The gear shift indicator light displayed that the transmission was slipping from drive(D) to neutral(N) and reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was…
Jun 21, 2025Structure › Body I purchased this truck new in 2013 and it has only been serviced by Ford, except for an Air Lift Suspension Kit install to allow load leveling when towing. Low miles: 54484 actual. No collision damage, original paint. Date of repair:06/25/2025. Jenkins Ford RO#[XXX]. My truck has a Supercab (Extended Cab) with short rear doors that open to the rear. Both of these rear doors failed within 5 minutes of each other. Specifically, the inside door handles and opening levers on the forward facing side of the doors failed. This is absolutely a safety hazard because a Child, Senior, Handicapped person, pet, etc., would be trapped from making an emergency exit in case of accident or fire. A more…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ14005 · opened Jan 13, 2015 · closed Mar 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown 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…