Model year report

2012 Ford F-350: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2012 Ford F-350

On the 2012 Ford F-350, the failure owners report most often is other suspension problem, and the reports cluster around 120,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other engine problem, reported by a median of 55,000 miles. Overall it scores 70 out of 100, high risk for a 2012.

High risk for a 2012 — 161st riskiest of the 271 2012 vehicles we can rate. 252 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

The failures owners actually file about

Owners have reported 36 named failure modes on the 2012 Ford F-350, and the three most-reported carry 55% of everything filed.

Other suspension problem leads with 58 reports, about 18 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 64k to 150,000 miles.

Other steering problem follows with 57 reports, usually reported between 58k to 145,000 miles.

Other engine problem follows with 24 reports, usually reported between 26k to 90,000 miles. 1 of those report mention a fire.

By system, the reports fall mostly into suspension (67), steering (61) and engine (28).

The mileage the reports cluster at

177 of the reports on the 2012 Ford F-350 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 90,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 28% by 50,000 miles, 54% by 100,000 miles and 83% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed, with 16 filed above the top of the chart.

16% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.

In the order they tend to show up: other engine problem around 55k, other steering problem around 116k and other suspension problem around 120k.

Median

Other suspension problem

120k
Other steering problem

116k
Other engine problem

55k
Fuel pump failure

11k
Other wheel or tire problem

71k
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure

104k
Other powertrain problem

42k
Cruise control failure

50k
Other fuel system problem

96k
Other brake problem

90k
Other speed control problem

71k
Other electrical problem

59k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 36. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 90k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A further 16 reports came in above that, which is why the line stops short of the top. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

What happens when these parts fail

Across the named modes, 8 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 3 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.77, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other suspension problem at $350–$2,000, other steering problem at $350–$2,400, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and fuel pump failure at $600–$2,600. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

15% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Other suspension problem	suspension	58	39	64k	120k	150k	18.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Other steering problem	steering	57	39	58k	116k	145k	17.7	$350–$2,400	High
Other engine problem	engine	24	21	26k	55k	90k	7.5	$300–$4,000	High
Fuel pump failure	fuel	9	1	—	11k	—	2.8	$600–$2,600	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	8	5	—	71k	—	2.5	$200–$1,500	High
Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure	suspension	7	7	—	104k	—	2.2	$400–$2,200	High
Other powertrain problem	transmission	6	6	—	42k	—	1.9	$400–$4,500	High
Cruise control failure	adas	5	2	—	50k	—	1.6	$200–$1,400	High
Other fuel system problem	fuel	5	3	—	96k	—	1.6	$300–$2,200	High
Other brake problem	brakes	5	5	—	90k	—	1.6	$300–$1,800	High
Other speed control problem	adas	5	4	—	71k	—	1.6	$250–$2,000	Critical
Other electrical problem	electrical	4	4	—	59k	—	1.2	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other body or interior problem	body	4	3	—	42k	—	1.2	$200–$2,000	Moderate
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	3	2	—	210k	—	0.9	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	3	3	—	83k	—	0.9	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	3	3	—	109k	—	0.9	$700–$2,600	High
DPF, EGR or DEF system failure	emissions	3	2	—	138k	—	0.9	$800–$5,000	High
Radiator or coolant leak	cooling	2	2	—	39k	—	0.6	$350–$1,900	High
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	2	0	—	—	—	0.6	$700–$3,000	High
Lane keep or steering assist fault	adas	2	0	—	—	—	0.6	$200–$1,600	High
Strut, shock or spring failure	suspension	2	2	—	20k	—	0.6	$500–$2,000	Moderate
Exhaust leak or fumes in the cabin	emissions	2	1	—	72k	—	0.6	$250–$2,000	High
Other lighting problem	lighting	2	2	—	26k	—	0.6	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Other visibility problem	glass	2	2	—	104k	—	0.6	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Stalling while driving	engine	1	1	—	68k	—	0.3	$300–$2,500	Critical
Overheating	cooling	1	0	—	—	—	0.3	$400–$3,500	High
Transmission will not engage a gear	transmission	1	1	—	164k	—	0.3	$1,500–$6,000	Critical
Differential or transfer case failure	drivetrain	1	1	—	300	—	0.3	$900–$4,200	High
Fuel leak or fuel odor	fuel	1	0	—	—	—	0.3	$300–$2,500	Critical
Master cylinder or brake booster failure	brakes	1	1	—	165k	—	0.3	$450–$2,200	Critical
Parking brake failure	brakes	1	1	—	26k	—	0.3	$250–$1,300	Moderate
Seat belt or retractor failure	airbag	1	0	—	—	—	0.3	$200–$900	High
Steering column or shaft failure	steering	1	1	—	160k	—	0.3	$600–$2,500	Critical
Tire blowout or tread separation	wheels	1	1	—	94k	—	0.3	$200–$1,500	Critical
Air conditioning failure	hvac	1	1	—	47k	—	0.3	$400–$2,800	Moderate
Other driver assistance problem	adas	1	1	—	141k	—	0.3	$250–$1,800	High
Unclassified problem	other	17	10	69k	90k	119k	5.3	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2012 Ford F-350 draws about 78 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 98th percentile of complaint rates among 2012 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 3,218 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2012 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Recalls on the 2012 model year

NHTSA has issued 4 recall campaigns covering the 2012 Ford F-350, affecting an estimated 3,721 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover equipment, engine, engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muf and power train:automatic transmission. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

14V498000

EQUIPMENT

3 vehicles 2014-08-13

Defect: PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: PJ's has notified 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 on August 28, 2014. Owners may contact PJ's customer service at 1-866-475-8782.

13V535000

ENGINE

2,951 vehicles 2013-10-30

Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an engine stall.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S10.

13V380000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

37 vehicles 2013-08-23

Defect: 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.
Consequence: Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
Remedy: 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.

11V582000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

16,091 vehicles 2011-12-08

Defect: 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. 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2012 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2012 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Where 2012 sits in the model line

High risk for a 2012 — 161st riskiest of the 271 2012 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 18 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 1998 comes out best at 56 and 2004 worst at 78, with 2012 itself at 70.

If the model year is negotiable, 1998, 2009, 1997, 2014, 2013, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1996 score lower than 2012 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2008–2014 generation specifically, 2009 is the strongest year at 57 and 2011 the weakest at 74.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2008-2014 generation, 2009 Ford F-350 scores best at 57 and 2011 Ford F-350 worst at 74.

What to look at before buying one

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other engine problem from about 26k, other steering problem from about 58k and other suspension problem from about 64k.

On a 2012 Ford F-350 with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other engine problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

Where these figures stop being useful

252 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 252 reports, 177 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 70% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

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

The most-reported failures are other suspension problem (58 reports, median 120,000 miles), other steering problem (57 reports, median 115,000 miles) and other engine problem (24 reports, median 55,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2012 Ford F-350 problems start?

Other engine problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 55,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 25,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 90,000 miles.

Is the 2012 Ford F-350 reliable?

It scores 70 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 161st riskiest of the 271 2012 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2012 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Ford F-350 is best?

Within the 2008–2014 generation, 2009 scores best at 57 out of 100 and 2011 worst at 74. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed