The 2012 Ford F-450 has 4 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (5 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints14filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment
NHTSA recall 14V498000 · Aug 13, 2014 · 3 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: The leaking oil may soak into the thermal blanket covering the exhaust, which when combined with heat from exhaust, may result in an increased risk of fire.
Fix: PJ's has notified owners and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. The recall began on August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.
Engine
NHTSA recall 13V535000 · Oct 30, 2013 · 2,951 vehicles
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
Risk: An unexpected engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, if this were to occur when the ambulance is transporting a patient, there is an increased risk of injury to the patient.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
NHTSA recall 13V380000 · Aug 23, 2013 · 37 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. The tailpipe on the exhaust system does not extend out beyond the edge of the body, allowing heat to build up in rear curbside storage compartment.
Risk: Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
Fix: Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1-502-426-5210.
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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
5
0
0
0
71,455 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Diesel; Exhaust system
4
0
0
0
51,888 mi
Unknown or other
4
0
0
0
65,378 mi
Steering
3
0
0
0
—
Suspension
3
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 9, 2026 · 98,188 milesFuel system, gasoline The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact was unaware whether the fuel pump needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,188.
Nov 23, 2020 · 67,911 milesElectrical system KEY IN IGNITION CIRCUIT IS OPEN - ENGINE LIGHT ON ' FIXD INDICATES INSPECTION ISSUE.
Feb 20, 2020Engine WE HAVE TO REPLACE OUR FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE LINING HAS DELAMINATED. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THE LINING DETERIORATION.
Apr 11, 2019 · 38,500 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-450. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT STALLED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO BAYSHORE FORD TRUCK SALES (LOCATED AT 4003 N DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720, (302) 656-3160) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500.
Jun 8, 2016 · 63,000 milesSteering I TOOK MY FORD F-450 LARIAT FOR ITS 60,000 MILES SERVICE. AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE, WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP (AUTONATION FORD IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX), ON THE FREEWAY AS SOON AS I GOT TO AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE'S FRONT STARTED TO SHAKE/WOBBLE VERY VIOLENTLY. SPEEDING UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT (60 MPH) DID NOT HELP AND THE SHAKING GOT ACTUALLY WORST, I HAD TO STOP FOR THE SHAKING/WOBBLING TO STOP, THANKFULLY I WAS STILL ON THE RIGHT LANE AND THERE WAS A WIDE ENOUGH SHOULDER FOR ME TO STOP. AS SOON AS I RESTARTED AND GOT TO ABOUT 50 MPH THE VIOLENT SHAKING RESTARTED, AND I HAD TO STOP AGAIN FOR THIS SHAKING TO STOP. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE FIRST EXIT AND…
May 30, 2016 · 75,000 milesEngine WHILE TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE ENGINE ON OUR 2012 FORD AMBULANCE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DERATED. THIS CAUSED OUR AMBULANCE TO SLOW DRAMATICALLY AND DELAYED TRANSPORT TO THE HOSPITAL. WE BROUGHT THE AMBULANCE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE ENTIRE DEF SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5,000! I RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE REGIONAL MANAGER FOR FORD AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE.
Apr 12, 2016 · 36,220 milesFuel/propulsion system 1/28/14- HPFP METAL SHAVINGS FOUND AFTER ENGINE POWER DOWN, ALL FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED. AFTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS (4/10/14) SAME THING. ON 4/25/16 SAME THING. NO WARRANT. FORD KNOWS THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUE, REFUSES TO WARRANTY WHILE OTHER MFG, IE VW DOES COVER SAME PART. I WOULD WELCOME CLASS ACTION SUIT.
Mar 13, 2016Steering WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PARKWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT, WE TRAVELED OVER SEVERAL BRIDGES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD AND OVER THE BRIDGES THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WE HAD TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP TO HOLD IT IN THE ROAD. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED, I AM SCARED TO RIDE OR DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE, IT IS MY HUSBANDS AND HE DOES. WE PULL A HORSE TRAILER AT TIMES AND I AM SCARED TO DO SO BECAUSE IT PUTS OUR LIVES AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS LIVES AND MY HORSES IN DANGER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED ASAP....HE PURCHASED SOME EXPENSIVE PART AND HAD IT PUT ON UNDER…
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…