2012 Ford F-250 SD problems & reliability
57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 18 | 32% |
| Engine → | 15 | 26% |
| Suspension → | 14 | 25% |
| Electrical System → | 10 | 18% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 12% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 7% |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 7% |
| Power Train | 3 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 3 | 5% |
| Wheels | 3 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 55,118 miles (middle 50% between 31,250 and 71,500 miles), based on 54 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Ford super duty has been in shop for death wobble numerous times and when we get vehicle back still is the issue. Very unsafe and hard to stable once it starts. Even auto shop people when thought fixed drove and scared them. Whole truck shakes uncontrollably. Very poor on Ford for no recall with this happening. Why…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Feb 27, 2023
“While traveling east bound on interstate 10 crossing over siegen lane, truck passed over small bump in interstate and started to violently shake the entire truck almost to the point of no control. I immediately pulled over to inspect my truck. There was no damage and all tires were in good condition. When I started…”
Wheels · filed Jan 8, 2020
“Vehicle mileage approximately 70,000. At speeds between 35-65 mph any minor bump will cause truck to begin to vibrate throughout the steering system and subsequently wobble violently. Applying the brakes makes it worse until the truck slows down below 35mph. The truck is not able to be steered during this event. I…”
Suspension · filed Jul 25, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
Recall Query RQ14005 · opened Jan 13, 2015 · closed Mar 15, 2016 · led to recall 15V175000
Technical service bulletins
136 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD. The 10 most recent:
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2026
Certain 2011-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with 6.7L Engine - Emission Control Information Label Update for Qualified Vehicles
24L05 · Other · issued Aug 23, 2025
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024…
SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 10, 2024
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the…
SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2024
2024 F-Super Duty vehicles are equipped with XL-22 (WSS-M2C184-A1) high temperature power steering fluid that looks like clear hydraulic fluid. This fluid is an improvement in high temperature and thermal oxidative…
SSM 52188 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 18, 2024
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 and/or P2074 Adding owner letter and corrected dealer…
22N14 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 11, 2024
Certain 2011-2012 Model Year F-Series Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with 6.7L Diesel Engine State Inspection and Maintenance Testing Failure Due to DTCs P2073 and/or P2074
23B63 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2023
Customer Satisfaction Program 22N14 â Supplement #1 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 and/or…
22N14 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 24, 2023
2011-2023 F-Super Duty and 2016-2024 F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an elevated idle condition. During prolonged idle time, vehicles may experience this elevated idle to reduce unburned…
SSM 51691 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 8, 2023
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle…
SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 4, 2023
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2012 Ford F-250 SD in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2012 Ford F-250 SD?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 55,118 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.