Is the 2012 Ford F-350 SD a bad year?
183 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 43, 4.3× a quiet F-350 SD year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 34k–86k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 F-350 SD owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 54,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 75 (41%) | 44k–141k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 75 (41%) | 42k–145k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 43 (23%) | 34k–86k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 18 (10%) | 31k–90k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (5%) | 19k–74k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 9 (5%) | 27k–82k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Wheels | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 54,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 183 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 3 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Sep 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Driving along cold windy winter day, I got a message on the dash "Stop safely now". Motor immediately went into limp mode, complete loss of engine power to the point where I had all I could do to get out of traffic.
The exhaust gas temperature sensor (Egt) #13 on my 2012 Ford diesel F350 failed and immediately shutdown the truck in the middle of the tollroad at 65 mph.
June 23 2017, I was traveling down the road when a message the read stop when safe popped onto the truck instrument display.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 54,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Ford F-350 SD: 17
The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
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. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket covering the exhaust. 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.
Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall. 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.
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. Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 134
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Ford F-350 SD. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Certain 2011-2012 Model Year F-Series Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a 6.7L Diesel Engine State Inspection and Maintenance Test Failure Due to DTCs P2073…
Some 2011-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine may exhibit a ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change
Certain 2011-2014 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a 6.7L Diesel Engine Exhaust Gas Recirculation Cooler with Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0401 and/or…
Some 2011 2014 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engine may experience an exhaust leak due to broken exhaust manifold studs
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
Neighbouring years
2011 F-350 SD: 186 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2013 F-350 SD: 86 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford F-350 SD year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-350 SD years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-350 SD a bad year?
183 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 43, 4.3× a quiet F-350 SD year. At 54,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 34k–86k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford F-350 SD?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (75), suspension (75), engine (43), fuel system (18), transmission and drivetrain (10). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 34k–86k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-350 SD have?
17 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 20E090000), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 15V-175), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-507), Equipment (NHTSA 14V-498) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.