2012 Ford F-450 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-450, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine735.0%
- Steering315.0%
- Suspension315.0%
- Fuel system315.0%
- Tires & wheels15.0%
- Electrical15.0%
- Exterior lighting15.0%
- Driver assistance15.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEY IN IGNITION CIRCUIT IS OPEN - ENGINE LIGHT ON ' FIXD INDICATES INSPECTION ISSUE.
WE HAVE TO REPLACE OUR FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE LINING HAS DELAMINATED. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THE LINING DETERIORATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TOOK MY FORD F-450 LARIAT FOR ITS 60,000 MILES SERVICE. AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE, WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP (AUTONATION FORD IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX), ON THE FREEWAY AS SOON AS I GOT TO AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE'S FRONT STARTED TO SHAKE/WOBBLE VERY VIOLENTLY. SPEEDING UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT (60 MPH) DID NOT HELP AND THE SHAKING GOT ACTUALLY WORST, I HAD TO STOP FOR THE SHAKING/WOBBLING TO STOP, THANKFULLY I WAS STILL ON THE RIGHT LANE AND THERE WAS A WIDE ENOUGH SHOULDER FOR ME TO STOP. AS SOON AS I RESTARTED AND GOT TO ABOUT 50 MPH THE VIOLENT SHAKING RESTARTED, AND I HAD TO STOP AGAIN FOR THIS SHAKING TO STOP. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE FIRST EXIT AND DROVE BACK TO THE DEALER. ON THE WAY BACK THE VIOLENT SHAKING REPEATED AT LEAST 5 MORE TIMES, ONCE ON THE CITY STREET WITH 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WHEN I DESCRIBED THE SHAKING TO THE SERVICE ADVISER, HE SAID THEY HEARD ABOUT THIS, AND THEY CALL IT THE "DEATH WOBBLE". ACTUALLY ONE OF HIS MECHANIC EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE ON HIS TRUCK. NOW MY FORD F-450 IS IN SERVICE AGAIN AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX MY "DEATH WOBBLE" PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAIN WITH FORD TODAY, BUT I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH TO HAPPEN. GIVEN THAT THE MECHANICS KNEW ABOUT THIS "DEATH WOBBLE", AND AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH I FOUND THAT IS AFFECTING MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS (THERE ARE MANY GROUPS DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM), I CONSIDER THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES, BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. STOPPING ON THE FREEWAY, WHILE SEMI-TRUCKS WERE BEHIND ME DRIVING AT FULL SPEED WAS THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCE, AND DID NOT THINK THAT I WILL GET AWAY WITHOUT BEING HIT BY OTHER TRUCKS. PLEASE TELL FORD TO FIX THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THIS FIX.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PARKWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT, WE TRAVELED OVER SEVERAL BRIDGES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD AND OVER THE BRIDGES THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WE HAD TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP TO HOLD IT IN THE ROAD. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED, I AM SCARED TO RIDE OR DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE, IT IS MY HUSBANDS AND HE DOES. WE PULL A HORSE TRAILER AT TIMES AND I AM SCARED TO DO SO BECAUSE IT PUTS OUR LIVES AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS LIVES AND MY HORSES IN DANGER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED ASAP....HE PURCHASED SOME EXPENSIVE PART AND HAD IT PUT ON UNDER THE FRONT END AND IT HAS HELPED BUT LT STILL FEELS LIKE IT WILL START AT ANY MOMENT TO SHAKE WHEN YOU CROSS A BRIDGE OR HIT A POT HOLE, IT IS LIKE IT IS ON THE VERGE AND COULD START AT ANY MOMENT. IT DOES NOT DRIVE NORMAL!!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TOOK MY FORD F-450 LARIAT FOR ITS 60,000 MILES SERVICE. AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE, WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP (AUTONATION FORD IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX), ON THE FREEWAY AS SOON AS I GOT TO AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE'S FRONT STARTED TO SHAKE/WOBBLE VERY VIOLENTLY. SPEEDING UP TO THE SPEED LIMIT (60 MPH) DID NOT HELP AND THE SHAKING GOT ACTUALLY WORST, I HAD TO STOP FOR THE SHAKING/WOBBLING TO STOP, THANKFULLY I WAS STILL ON THE RIGHT LANE AND THERE WAS A WIDE ENOUGH SHOULDER FOR ME TO STOP. AS SOON AS I RESTARTED AND GOT TO ABOUT 50 MPH THE VIOLENT SHAKING RESTARTED, AND I HAD TO STOP AGAIN FOR THIS SHAKING TO STOP. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE FIRST EXIT AND DROVE BACK TO THE DEALER. ON THE WAY BACK THE VIOLENT SHAKING REPEATED AT LEAST 5 MORE TIMES, ONCE ON THE CITY STREET WITH 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT. WHEN I DESCRIBED THE SHAKING TO THE SERVICE ADVISER, HE SAID THEY HEARD ABOUT THIS, AND THEY CALL IT THE "DEATH WOBBLE". ACTUALLY ONE OF HIS MECHANIC EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE ON HIS TRUCK. NOW MY FORD F-450 IS IN SERVICE AGAIN AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX MY "DEATH WOBBLE" PROBLEM. I FILED A COMPLAIN WITH FORD TODAY, BUT I DO NOT EXPECT MUCH TO HAPPEN. GIVEN THAT THE MECHANICS KNEW ABOUT THIS "DEATH WOBBLE", AND AFTER AN INTERNET SEARCH I FOUND THAT IS AFFECTING MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS (THERE ARE MANY GROUPS DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM), I CONSIDER THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES, BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. STOPPING ON THE FREEWAY, WHILE SEMI-TRUCKS WERE BEHIND ME DRIVING AT FULL SPEED WAS THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCE, AND DID NOT THINK THAT I WILL GET AWAY WITHOUT BEING HIT BY OTHER TRUCKS. PLEASE TELL FORD TO FIX THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THIS FIX.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PARKWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT, WE TRAVELED OVER SEVERAL BRIDGES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER HITTING A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD AND OVER THE BRIDGES THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WE HAD TO ALMOST COME TO A STOP TO HOLD IT IN THE ROAD. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS ALMOST EVERY TIME WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. WE HAD JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED, I AM SCARED TO RIDE OR DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE, IT IS MY HUSBANDS AND HE DOES. WE PULL A HORSE TRAILER AT TIMES AND I AM SCARED TO DO SO BECAUSE IT PUTS OUR LIVES AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS LIVES AND MY HORSES IN DANGER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED ASAP....HE PURCHASED SOME EXPENSIVE PART AND HAD IT PUT ON UNDER THE FRONT END AND IT HAS HELPED BUT LT STILL FEELS LIKE IT WILL START AT ANY MOMENT TO SHAKE WHEN YOU CROSS A BRIDGE OR HIT A POT HOLE, IT IS LIKE IT IS ON THE VERGE AND COULD START AT ANY MOMENT. IT DOES NOT DRIVE NORMAL!!!!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with fuel pump failure. The contact was unaware whether the fuel pump needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,188.
WE HAVE TO REPLACE OUR FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE LINING HAS DELAMINATED. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THE LINING DETERIORATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON AUGUST 15, 2012, AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 HOURS, I WAS TRAVELING AT SPEED LIMIT NORTH ON I-95 NEAR MILE MARKER 78, LIBERTY COUNTY, MIDWAY, GEORGIA. THE HIGHWAY WAS CLEAN AND NO DEBRIS IN SIGHT, WHEN SUDDENLY A POP SOUND TOOK PLACE AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT INSTANTANEOUSLY FLAT FOLLOWED BY HEAVY NOISE OF DESTRUCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE EMERGENCY LANE (SIDE OF THE ROAD). I CONDUCTED AN EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS DESTROYED (DISINTEGRATE) AND THE TOP OF THE TIRE THREAD WAS REMOVED FROM THE TIRE. THIS CAUSED A DENT AND DAMAGES TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER, BENT THE UNDER FENDER WALL, FENDER LINER WAS ALSO DENT AND THE ROAD BOARD WAS CRACKED. IN ADDITION, THE RIM HAD STRUCK PAVEMENT PARTICLES WHICH CAUSED SMALL DENTS INTO THE RIM. THE VEHICLE FORCEFULLY TURNED LEFT ON HIGHWAY BUT I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT JC LEWIS FORD DEALER, FORD AUTO COLLISION, 9505 ABERCOM STREET, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, 31406. THE VEHICLE IS BRANDNEW, WITH 3,041.6 MILES. NOTE THAT THE TIRE IS AN LT245/75R17 RUGGED TERRAIN T/A. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
KEY IN IGNITION CIRCUIT IS OPEN - ENGINE LIGHT ON ' FIXD INDICATES INSPECTION ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN PARTIALLY DEPRESSED THE TURN SIGNAL WILL ONLY BLINK 3 TIMES. I THINK I HAVE ACTIVATED A PROPER TURN SIGNAL ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS A PARTIAL. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO PROGRAM THIS DIFFERENTLY. DOES 3 BLINKS CONSTITUTE A TURNSIGNAL? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 TRUCK TO THE ACCELERATOR. A MOMENT LATER ANOTHER SIGN READ " CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER" WHICH DISAPPEARED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. A MOMENT LATER A FINAL WARNING CAME UP WHICH READ" STOP AT A SAFE LOCATION. I BEARLY PULLED OVER TO A DANGEROUS SHOULDER WHEN MY TRUCK SHOT DOWN. AT THIS POINT I COULD NO LONGER MOVE MY TRUCK TO A SAFER LOCATION ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. THE HIGHWAY ON WHICH MY TRUCK STALLED IS THE BUSIEST HIGHWAY IN MARYLAND. THE TRUCK STALLING LIKE THE WAY IT DID PUT MY LIFE, MY SONS LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK AT MOMENT IT DID. WHILE I WAS SEARCHING ONLINE FOR WHAT MIGHT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH MY TRUCK, I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE ON WHICH AMBULANCES WERE RECALLED AND SENSORS IN THE EXHAUST WERE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ONE STRIKING SIMILARITY WAS THE FIVE AUDIBLE CHIME THE TRUCKS WERE EMITTING WHICH MY TRUCK ALSO EMITTED. I WAS NOT ABLE START THE TRUCK AT THAT STALL POINT SO I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .