Is the 2012 Ford F-350 SD reliable?

The 2012 Ford F-350 SD has 50 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Ford F-350 SD?

Top problems: ENGINE (12 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (10 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (9 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Ford F-350 SD?

Yes, there are 10 recall(s): EQUIPMENT, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, STEERING. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Ford F-350 SD?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Ford F-350 SD is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Ford F-350 SD

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Ford F-350 SD has 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: while driving an alarm sounded and the driver display stated " stop safely now" and lost all throttle response. when the vehicle stopped, the engine shut off and it would not crank or restart. it had to be towed from a busy intersection. the fault turned out to be a failed egt exhaust temperature se. There are 10 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

12 complaints

24%

• WHILE DRIVING AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE DRIVER DISPLAY STATED " STOP SAFELY NOW" AND LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK OR RESTART. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAULT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED EGT EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SE
• WHILE DRIVING AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE DRIVER DISPLAY STATED " STOP SAFELY NOW" AND LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK OR RESTART. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAULT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED EGT EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SE
• DUE TO EGT SENSOR READING HIGH EG TEMPS TRUCK SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET UNTIL A GOOD SAMARITAN PULLED ME TO THE CURB. TRUCK WAS FULLY LOADED, BUT NOT OVER LOADED. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE DRIVER DISPLAY STATED " STOP SAFELY NOW" AND LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK OR RESTART. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAULT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED EGT EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Ford F-350 SD

Based on 45 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 34K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 35K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (10)

EQUIPMENT10/06/2014

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.

Fix: 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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Ford F-350 SD

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-350 SD Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2012 F-350 SD, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 50 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING AN ALARM SOUNDED AND THE DRIVER DISPLAY STATED " STOP SAFELY NOW" AND LOST ALL THROTTLE RESPONSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND IT WOULD NOT CRANK OR RESTART. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAULT TURNED OUT TO BE A FAILED EGT EXHAUST TEMPERATURE SE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE UPPER B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE UPPER B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: THIS IS PROBABLY ABOUT THE 30TH TIME MY FORD F-350 HAS HAD A DEATH WOBBLE. THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 69 BETWEEN PRESCOTT VALLEY AND PRESCOTT WHEN IT STARTED. IT WAS SHAKING SO BAD THAT I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE MEDIAN. THE OTHER VEHICLES MUST HAVE NOTICED THE VEHICLE SHAKING BECAU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)