POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
2012 Ford F-450 Sd
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Ford F-450 Sd, most frequently naming the brakes, steering and electrical categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 143 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 3 months of data.
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes240.0%
- Steering240.0%
- Electrical120.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
7 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this RQ to investigate allegations that the scope and remedy of safety recall 13V-535 were inadequate. Recall 13V-535 was limited to a relatively small population of Ambulance Package vehicles and ODI received complaints of pickup trucks and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles being affected by the same defect. Ford manufactured approximately 555,985 subject vehicles between February 22, 2010 and January 30, 2015 that may be affected by defective EGT sensors and Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software calibration. The subject vehicles are equipped with four (4) EGT sensors to monitor engine operating conditions. An EGT sensor fault may produce false exhaust over-temperature signals. If these signals are produced, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) implements a Failure Management Effects Mode (FMEM) and the driver receives a Stop Safely Now (SSN) system warning on the instrument cluster message center. The FMEM triggers a 70% reduction in available engine power over a period of no more than 45 seconds, during which it may not be possible to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed. The PCM then commands the engine to shut down when vehicle speed reaches approximately 1 mph. There is no immediate restart capability. Depending on the PCM software calibration, ignition key position and ambient temperature conditions, the engine may not restart until the end of a 10-60 minute cool down period.Ford and its component supplier(s) made numerous changes to the PCM software calibration and the design, material and manufacture of the EGT sensors over the period of subject vehicle production. This continuous product improvement affected vehicle performance regarding the alleged defect. Ford acknowledges the defect condition in the subject vehicles but argues that an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety is limited to Ambulance Package and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles where commanded shutdown could impact emergency response and patient care. Ford also argues that the defect trend is in decline. Ford also initiated a new safety recall (15V-175) to address the 13V-535 remedy concerns in the Ambulance Package vehicles and Fire Engine Prep Package vehicles. The 15V-175 remedy reprograms the PCM with a new software calibration that stops a single EGT sensor fault to cause the vehicle to enter the FMEM shutdown mode.Ford also initiated an EPA emissions recall (14E03) for all subject vehicles that reprograms the PCM with the software calibration employed in safety recall 15V-175. Finally, Ford initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program (15M01) providing extended warranty coverage of 8 years or 80,000 miles for the the EGT sensors on certain MY2011-2012 subject vehicles.Due to the EPA emissions recall, that had a 66.6% completion rate in Ford's December 2015 progress report to the EPA, the defect trend is in decline. ODI is not aware of any crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect.ODI believes the alleged defect poses a safety risk but notes that the EPA emissions recall is addressing the safety problem.Compelling issuance of a duplicate recall would not represent a wise use of agency resources.Accordingly, this Recall Query is closed.This action is not a finding that no defect exists and NHTSA will take further action if such action is warranted.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE A/C COMPRESSOR JUST WENT OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME AND FROM WHAT IT LOOKS TO ME IS WHY THE SECOND FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IS BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPLACE THE CONDENSER AS WAS REQUIRED AND ALSO PAID FOR BY ME. THE TRUCK HAS THE "DEATH-WOBBLE" EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REINFORCED THE STEERING IN GENERAL AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. HOWEVER, DUE TO JUST THESE TWO ISSUES AND THE OTHERS IT HAS HAD WHICH ARE FAILED WATER PUMP, TURBO, STARTER AND HYDRO-BOOST BRAKE BOOSTER WITH THE WATER PUMP GOING OUT AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES AND THEN THE TURBO AT ABOUT 82,000 MILES WITH THE WORK PERFORMED AT TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AT A VERY POOR QUALITY I REPLACED THE STARTER MYSELF AND THE HYDRO-BOOST. YOU CANNOT TRUST A DEALERSHIP WHEN THE WORKED PERFORMED IS AT BEST NO BETTER THAN WHAT I CAN PERFORM. JUST LIKE RIGHT NOW OR FOR QUITE A LONG TIME IT HAS HAD THE TWO FIELD SERVICE ACTION ITEMS BEING NUMBERS: 15M02 AND 18M01 AND AFTER READING THE HORROR STORIES ABOUT AND OR AFTER A DEALERSHIP HAS PERFORMED THESE TWO FUNCTIONS ON OTHER SUCH PERSON(S) VEHICLES, I MOST LIKELY WILL NOT LET A DEALERSHIP TOUCH MINE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11161082
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2013
- Mileage
- 52,000 mi
AS PER YOUR ODI RESUME #RQ14-005, MY RV BUILT ON 2012 CHASSIS EXPERIENCED EGT SENSOR MALFUNCTION TO NUMBER 13 AND 14. THIS OCCURRED ON I-75 OUTSIDE OF LEXINGTON, KY. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND JUST BARELY PULLED TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. HAD TO CALL STATE POLICE BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TRAVEL LANE AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR OTHER VEHICLES. THIS TRIP STARTED IN CLEMMONS, NC, AND INCLUDED 2 TUNNELS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN EITHER ONE. CALLED FORD ABOUT RECALL FOR AMBULANCE CHASSIS SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE SAME TYPE. THEY STATED THE COMPUTER PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT AND THEREFORE THE RECALL DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY UNIT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10682653
- Incident
- Nov 29, 2014
- Mileage
- 57,665 mi
VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY NOT RUNNING AND IN DRIVEWAY. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM, AND NO ISSUE NOTED WITH ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY BEEN SERVICED AT LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR OIL/FILTER CHANGE. DEALER INSPECTION NOTED NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS CRANKED UP AND PUT INTO DRIVE. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, IMMEDIATE, AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CAPABILITY. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. POWER STEERING WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL CAUSING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY PUT INTO NEUTRAL UNTIL IT SLOWED ENOUGH TO PUT INTO REVERSE AND STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. VEHICLE ALMOST HIT ROAD SIGN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. BRAKES AND POWER STEERING WERE NON FUNCTIONAL. VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY MOVED BACKWARD TO GET IT OUT OF THE ROAD PATH USING REVERSE/NEUTRAL POSITIONING. VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE LOSS OF POWER STEERING/BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM FLUID. FLUID LEVEL WAS JUST BELOW MAXIMUM LEVEL MARK, SO NO LOSS OF FLUID IN POWER STEERING/POWER BRAKING BOOSTER SYSTEM HAD OCCURRED. UPON RESTART, POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS MARGINALLY FUNCTIONAL WITH GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM POWER STEERING/POWER BRAKING BOOSTER SYSTEM WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED OR BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. PULSATING FEEL COMING FROM BRAKE PEDAL WHEN PRESSURE APPLIED. POWER BRAKES WERE STILL NON-FUNCTIONAL. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FUNCTION AND ONLY MARGINAL STEERING FUNCTION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AFTER 4 DAYS, DEALER HAS STILL NOT LOOKED AT VEHICLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10734188
- Incident
- Nov 11, 2014
- Mileage
- 23,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
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 wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ENGINE
Certain 2011-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with 6.7L Engine - Emission Control Information Label Update for Qualified Vehicles
ENGINE
Certain 2011-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with 6.7L Engine - Emission Control Information Label Update for Qualified Vehicles
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 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
EQUIPMENT
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 vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.
STEERING
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 stability compared to Mercon LV. This power steering fluid is also compatible and highly recommended to use when filling or topping off power steering systems of all 2012-2023 F-Super Duty vehicles originally equipped with Mercon LV.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 13 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 24 | 14 | 0 | 57.7 |
| 2021 | 17 | 12 | 2 | 62.6 |
| 2020 | 0 | 10 | 3 | — |
| 2019 | 3 | 9 | 3 | — |
| 2018 | 0 | 7 | 3 | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 11 | 3 | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 2012Viewing | 3 | 7 | 1 | — |
| 2011 | 6 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 68 | 3 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2007 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 40.0 |
| 2006 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 45.5 |
| 2005 | 40 | 5 | 0 | 43.8 |
| 2004 | 33 | 3 | 1 | 50.5 |
| 2003 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 49.1 |
| 2002 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 50.1 |
| 2001 | 23 | 9 | 7 | 64.3 |
| 2000 | 43 | 7 | 5 | 62.1 |
| 1999 | 66 | 11 | 5 | 62.6 |
| 1998 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1996 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1994 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 1993 | 5 | 4 | 2 | — |
| 1992 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1991 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.