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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-FORD-F-250NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2012 Ford F-250 problems
The 2012 Ford F-250 has 323 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2012 Ford F-250 has 323 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 130 complaints, typically surfacing around 91,686 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 F-250?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Ford F-250? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 130 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,686 mi · ~$700 to fix
suspension — 50 owner reports
· tends to show around 101,186 mi · ~$900 to fix
engine — 45 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,044 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 24 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,574 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 93,574 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 F-250· engine
Ford previously issued warranty extension for this vehicle 18-M-01 related to the replacement of the reductant heater unit. I acquired the subject vehicle above and had the repair done at my expense on September 9, 2015 with 115,710 miles on the vehicle using an OEM part.…
Death wobble, any change in the road such as a bridge, older road, bump, ect.... The truck starts to shake uncontrollably, and have to come to a complete stop and start over.
The contact owned a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph when they came to a small unevenness in the road due to a merging of roads. The contact stated that when they passed that point the vehicle suddenly displayed the death wobble despite…
Power Mirror Driver's side doesn't retract /extend automatically. Driver's seat doesn't power adjust. It is stuck in one position and will not move. Electrical short w/ annoying hum over speakers when radio is on.
Had a problem with your 2012 Ford F-250?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Ford F-250 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 323 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Ford F-250 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Ford F-250?
The 2012 Ford F-250 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Ford F-250?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 130 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,686 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Ford F-250 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 323 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 91,686 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Ford F-250?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 130 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,686 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 91,686 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-250 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Ford F-250?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 323 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/F-250.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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