2012 Ford F-450
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Ford F-450 has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: this vehicle is an ambulance and was dispatched on an emergency call. the crew attempted to crank the vehicle, but the starter would not even engage. another ambulance had to be dispatched to the call. it was later determined that one of the four egt exhaust gas temperatur sensors had failed and di. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.
26
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
9 complaints- • THIS VEHICLE IS AN AMBULANCE AND WAS DISPATCHED ON AN EMERGENCY CALL. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT EVEN ENGAGE. ANOTHER AMBULANCE HAD TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE CALL. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR EGT EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATUR SENSORS HAD FAILED AND DI
- • THIS VEHICLE IS AN AMBULANCE AND WAS DISPATCHED ON AN EMERGENCY CALL. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT EVEN ENGAGE. ANOTHER AMBULANCE HAD TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE CALL. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR EGT EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATUR SENSORS HAD FAILED AND DI
- • THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS AN AMBULANCE, WAS DISPATCHED TO AN EMERGENCY CALL. AS THEY TURNED INTO THE DRIVE OF THE FACILITY THE CHIMES SOUNDED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. HAD THIS VEHICLE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE CREW INVOLVED. AT THE VERY LEAST
“THIS VEHICLE IS AN AMBULANCE AND WAS DISPATCHED ON AN EMERGENCY CALL. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT EVEN ENGAGE. ANOTHER AMBULANCE HAD TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE CALL. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR EGT EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATUR SENSORS HAD FAILED AND DI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Ford F-450
Based on 21 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 63K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
ENGINE
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 (4)
Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. 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.
Risk: Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
Fix: Manning Equipment has notified owners, and dealers will install tailpipe extensions free of charge. The recall has already begun. Owners may contact Manning Equipment at 1-502-426-5210.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Ford F-450
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford F-450 Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2012 F-450, 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
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: THIS VEHICLE IS AN AMBULANCE AND WAS DISPATCHED ON AN EMERGENCY CALL. THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO CRANK THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT EVEN ENGAGE. ANOTHER AMBULANCE HAD TO BE DISPATCHED TO THE CALL. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR EGT EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATUR SENSORS HAD FAILED AND DI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: I WAS DRIVING ALONG MY 2012 FORD F450SUPERDUTY TURBO DIESEL ALONG THE INTERSTATE 495 DC BELTWAY IN MARYLAND WITH MY SEVEN YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK SEAT, WHEN A LCD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPEEDOMETER GAVE A WARNING WHICH READ "REDUCED POWER" AND COULD IMMEDIATELY FEEL A REDUCED RESPONSIVENESS OF THE TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN TRUCK STARTED SHAKING COULD NOT HOLD STEERING WHEEL . TRUCK STARTED GOING SIDEWAYS ON HIGHWAY FROM SHAKING/ WOBBLE. TRUCK SHUTS OFF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING NO STEERING OR BRAKES TOWING EQUIPMENT. I HAVE HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN TRUCK ALMOST IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN TRUCK STARTED SHAKING COULD NOT HOLD STEERING WHEEL . TRUCK STARTED GOING SIDEWAYS ON HIGHWAY FROM SHAKING/ WOBBLE. TRUCK SHUTS OFF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WARNING NO STEERING OR BRAKES TOWING EQUIPMENT. I HAVE HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN TRUCK ALMOST IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford F-450 — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 26
- Recalls
- 4
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 26
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Ford F-450