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2012 Ford F-450 SD problems

The most common problem on the 2012 Ford F-450 SD is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical F-450 SD model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
142
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2012 Ford F-450 SD problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Electrical
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Electrical
    1

Recalls 7

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported March 25, 2015 · 6,322 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.

Recall number 15V175000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported June 23, 2014 · 10 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
Palfleet will notify 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 July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502‑376‑2458.

Recall number 14V360000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported June 13, 2014 · 10 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
Manning will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. This action is the same as the service campaign action. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Manning at 1‑800‑876‑8768.

Recall number 14V326000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported June 13, 2014 · 21 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify 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 July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1‑800‑247‑5958.

Recall number 14V328000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported June 12, 2014 · 10 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1‑800‑277‑8245, or Muncie at 1‑800‑367‑7867.

Recall number 14V327000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported June 10, 2014 · 16 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
Utility Truck will notify 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 in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1‑254‑857‑8813.

Recall number 14V379000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported June 10, 2014 · 4 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Somerset Welding & Steel, doing business as J&J Truck equipment (J&J), is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis with 6.8L gasoline engines modified by J&J to be 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.
Remedy
Somerset will notify 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 August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1‑800‑777‑2671.

Recall number 14V382000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2012 Ford F-450 SD

Defect investigations

Vehicle Commanded Engine ShutdownOpened January 13, 2015, closed March 15, 2016

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 the federal safety agency will take further action if such action is warranted.

RQ14005

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Ford F-450 SD 142

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 142 bulletins for the 2012 Ford F-450 SD

What 2012 Ford F-450 SD owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Brakes, Steering · 52,000 miles · OK

The A/C compressor just went out for the second time and from what it looks to me is why the second failure has occurred is because the dealership did not replace the condenser as was required and also paid for by me. The truck has the "death-wobble" even though I have reinforced the steering in general and is very dangerous. However, due to just these two issues and the others it has had which are failed water pump, turbo, starter and hydro-boost brake booster with the water pump going out at about 50,000 miles and then the turbo at about 82,000 miles with the work performed at two different ford dealerships at a very poor quality I replaced the starter myself and the hydro-boost. You cannot trust a dealership when the worked performed is at best no better than what I can perform. Just like right now or for quite a long time it has had the two field service action items being numbers: 15m02 and 18m01 and after reading the horror stories about and or after a dealership has performed these two functions on other such person(s) vehicles, I most likely will not let a dealership touch mine.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Electrical · 57,665 miles · NY

As per your odi resume #rq14-005, my rv built on 2012 chassis experienced egt sensor malfunction to number 13 and 14. This occurred on I-75 outside of lexington, ky. I was very lucky to be in the right lane and just barely pulled to the shoulder before the engine shutdown. Had to call state police because of the close proximity to travel lane and very dangerous situation for other vehicles. This trip started in clemmons, nc, and included 2 tunnels which could have been a disaster if the incident occurred in either one. Called ford about recall for ambulance chassis since this seems to be same type. They stated the computer program is different and therefore the recall does not pertain to my unit.

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 23,000 miles · AL

Vehicle was initially not running and in driveway. There had been no prior indication of any problem, and no issue noted with on-board diagnostic system. Vehicle had recently been serviced at local ford dealer for oil/filter change. Dealer inspection noted no issues with the vehicle. Vehicle was cranked up and put into drive. Vehicle experienced a sudden, immediate, and total loss of power steering and brake capability. Vehicle lurched forward. Extreme pressure was applied to brake pedal but it would not stop vehicle from moving forward. Power steering was non-functional causing extreme difficulty in steering vehicle. Vehicle was immediately put into neutral until it slowed enough to put into reverse and stop the vehicle from moving forward. Vehicle almost hit road sign before coming to a stop. Brakes and power steering were non functional. Vehicle was slowly moved backward to get it out of the road path using reverse/neutral positioning. Vehicle was shut off and checked for possible loss of power steering/brake booster system fluid. Fluid level was just below maximum level mark, so no loss of fluid in power steering/power braking booster system had occurred. Upon restart, power steering system was marginally functional with grinding noise coming from power steering/power braking booster system when steering wheel turned or brake pedal applied. Pulsating feel coming from brake pedal when pressure applied. Power brakes were still non-functional. Vehicle was not drivable due to complete loss of braking function and only marginal steering function. Vehicle had to be towed to ford dealer for diagnostic testing. After 4 days, dealer has still not looked at vehicle.

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Questions about the 2012 Ford F-450 SD

Is the 2012 Ford F-450 SD reliable?

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2012 Ford F-450 SD, fewer than a typical F-450 SD model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford F-450 SD?

Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is steering (2).

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-450 SD have?

7 recalls, covering power train and equipment.

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