2012 Ford F-250 SD

Routine

Owners filed 57 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
56,000 milesMedian miles at failure

54 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering15
000
Engine12
100
Electrical System7
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Diesel6
000
Service Brakes4
000
Suspension3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Tires2
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
000
Unknown or Other1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Equipment20E090000
Filed Dec 9, 2020102 vehiclesIcon Vehicle Dynamics, Llc

Defect. Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Risk. If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Feb 27, 2023NC

Ford super duty has been in shop for death wobble numerous times and when we get vehicle back still is the issue. Very unsafe and hard to stable once it starts. Even auto shop people when thought fixed drove and scared them. Whole truck shakes uncontrollably. Very poor on Ford for no recall with this happening. Why buy truck if you can’t drive it for work duties.

Steering
Filed Jan 6, 2020168,000 milesLA

WHILE TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 10 CROSSING OVER SIEGEN LANE, TRUCK PASSED OVER SMALL BUMP IN INTERSTATE AND STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE THE ENTIRE TRUCK ALMOST TO THE POINT OF NO CONTROL. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO INSPECT MY TRUCK. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND ALL TIRES WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN I STARTED AGAIN THE VEHICLE WAS FINE. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF 12 INCIDENTS OF WHAT I HAVE COME TO KNOW FROM RESEARCH AS THE "DEATH WOBBLE". I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK THE THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO CORRECT THE ISSUE TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS AND FORD CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. THIS IS THE MOST UNNERVING EXPERIENCE. THIS WAS A $70000 VEHICLE WHICH HAS BEEN KEPT UP TO DATE ON ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED OR EVER TAKE OFF ROAD. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN ENGINEERING AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TRUCK.

Steering
Filed Jul 25, 201970,000 milesIL

VEHICLE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 70,000. AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-65 MPH ANY MINOR BUMP WILL CAUSE TRUCK TO BEGIN TO VIBRATE THROUGHOUT THE STEERING SYSTEM AND SUBSEQUENTLY WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. APPLYING THE BRAKES MAKES IT WORSE UNTIL THE TRUCK SLOWS DOWN BELOW 35MPH. THE TRUCK IS NOT ABLE TO BE STEERED DURING THIS EVENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL REPUTABLE MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THIS DISCREPANCY IS IN MANY F-250S AND NO ONE HAS THE COMPLETE SOLUTION. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY HAVE NO INTEREST OR EXPECTATION OF A RECALL. THEY DID TELL ME TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP GAVE ME A QUOTE TO REPLACE- TIE RODS, TIE ROD ENDS, BALL JOINTS, DRAG LINK, AND 'STEERING COMPONENTS'. THEY SAID IT WAS THE SECOND TRUCK BROUGHT IN THIS WEEK. THE WOULD WARRANTY THE PARTS BUT NOT THE PROBLEM AND THIS WOULD HELP ELIMINATE WHICH COMPONENTS WERE THE CULPRIT. SO IN EFFECT I'D BE PAYING TO REBUILD THE FRONT END AND NOT NECESSARILY FIX THE MOST DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE IN I'VE HAD IN A VEHICLE. NHTSA PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND HELP HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE.

Steering
Filed May 8, 201980,700 milesMA

ON HIGHWAY DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE NO DEATH WOBBLE THEY SPEAK OF BUT WENT INTO NEXT LANE OVER AND COULD NOT CONTROL TRUCK UNTIL SPEED WAS LOWER. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST THREE TIMES ALREADY SENT IT INTO SHOP FRONT END TIGHT HAD ALL THE TIRES REPLACED FRONT END ALIGNED STILL PULLS LEFT AND RIGHT.

Steering
Filed Apr 13, 2019140,000 milesPA

DEATH WOBBLE - HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING VIOLENT SHAKING AND INSTABILITY WHILE AT SPEEDS OF 55-65 MPH. STEERING WHEEL CAN ALMOST BE SHAKEN OUT OF MY HANDS WITH A TIGHT GRIP. SOLUTION IS TO SLOW TO BELOW 25MPH. THEN START OVER. WOBBLE STARTS SOMETIMES ON ITS OWN OR IF HITTING SMALL UNEVEN SURFACE SUCH AS BRIDGE/ROAD JOINT.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 1, 201987,000 milesWV

VEHICLE HAS HAD RANDOM TIMES WHEN IT JUST CUT OFF COMPLETELY OR IT IS UNABLE TO START. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2015. DEALER HAS RECENTLY IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE BRB BUT THE REPAIR EXPENSE IS EXORBITANT DUE TO TIME INVOLVED.

Steering
Filed Feb 20, 201948,000 milesMA

OWNED TRUCK FOR LESS THAN A YEAR, I HAD LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON TRUCK AND HAD 'DEATH WOBBLE' ON HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. AFTER A $1000+ BILL FROM THE DEALERSHIP, IT STILL HAPPENS BUT NOT TO THE SAME EXTENT AS ORIGINALLY.

Suspension
Filed Nov 26, 201890,000 milesMO

EXPERIENCING WHAT IS KNOWN AS "DEATH WOBBLE". WHEN HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT, VEHICLE BEGINS SHAKING (SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY). MUST APPLY BRAKES AND SLOW SPEED TO REMEDY

Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 201880,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE VIOLENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE WOBBLE WAS TO REDUCE THE SPEED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENLY FORD INC (500 S GARNER AVE, KENLY, NC 27542) WHERE THE STEERING ARM AND TORSION BAR WERE REPLACED, AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 24, 201849,775 milesCO

DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65 MPH ,MY TRUCK STOPED RUNNING. THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL,IT WAS NOT. THIS HAPPENED APPROX. 6 MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT HOME. I DIDN'T WHERE A FORD DEALER WAS SO I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A TRUCK REPAIR SHOP,THE TRUCK STOPPED 3 MORE TIMES. THEY FIXED A WIREING PROBLEM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THAY CHARGED ME 526.58 FOR THE REPAIRS. FORD WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM?

Suspension
Filed Dec 15, 2017SD

DEATH RATTLE YOU HIT BUMP IN HIGHWAY AND STARTS TO SHAKE ALL OVER, LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GOING TO FLY OFF.

Tires
Filed May 30, 201748,309 milesAZ

ON HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH WHEN REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. TIRE FRAGMENTS TORE AND BENT FENDER WELL METAL CAUSING $2700 DAMAGE. STEEL BELTS WERE BROKEN ACROSS THE TIRE IN TWO LOCATIONS ON THE CIRCUMFERENCE. FENDER AND TIRE REPLACED. LIKELY WOULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERE BODILY INJURY OR DEATH IF A PERSON HAD BEEN STANDING NEXT TO THE TIRE. (PRIMARY REASON FOR FILING THIS REPORT) JUST PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION, MY WIFE SENSED A VIBRATION AND STOPPED TO INSPECT TIRES. NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS WERE FOUND. AFTER PROCEEDING APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. TIRE WAS RETURNED TO BF GOODIIDGE AFTER WHICH THEY CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY. PICTURES OF TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE AVAILABLE

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 2017TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EGT 14 SENSOR FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR OF "STOP SAFELY NOW" ALONG WITH FIVE CHIMES SOUNDING AS INDICATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE EGT SENSOR. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ON AN OFF RAMP EXITING THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DIESEL EXHAUST WARNING INDICATOR STATED THAT THE FLUID WAS LOW; HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT CHECKED, IT WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND ALL THE SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Oct 26, 201698,000 milesCA

AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-60 MPH THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK SHAKES/VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. THE TRUCK BECOMES DANGEROUS AND IS NO LONGER STEERABLE UNLESS YOU STOP COMPLETELY.

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 201656,000 milesVA

RADIATOR LEAK FROM DRIVERS SIDE LOWER PORTION. SAME AS PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR ISSUES. FORD CURRENTLY WARRANTIES EARLIER PRODUCTION, BUT WILL NOT EXTEND TO 2011 AND UP. TRUCK HAS ONLY 56000 MILES ON IT. LEAK OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND IS PARKED AND/OR TURNED OFF. INSPECTION CONDUCTED BY FORD DISCOVERED TANK CRIMPING HAS FAILED AND TRUCK NEEDS A NEW RADIATOR. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT STILL NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT IT.

Engine
Filed Aug 5, 201628,796 milesCO

ON THE FIRST DAY OF AN EXTENDED TRIP WITH OUR TRUCK AND RV, WE ARRIVED AT CAMP TO DISCOVER A MAJOR COOLANT LEAK. THE TRUCK DID NOT GIVE US ANY WARNING MESSAGES THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER. THANK GOODNESS THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED IN CAMP, RATHER THAN ON AN ISOLATED ROAD WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN 100+ MILES AWAY FROM ANY SORT OF SERVICE. IT TURNED OUT THAT BOTH THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR HAD FAILED, WITH UNDER 29,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE WATER PUMP WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE RADIATOR WAS NOT. THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED US THAT THEY HAD ALREADY REPLACED SEVERAL RADIATORS THIS YEAR, WITH LEAKS IN THE SAME PLACE (DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CORNER). WE ALSO DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT THIS FAILURE SEEMS FAIRLY COMMON. THE RADIATOR SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, WITH LIMITED MILES ON OUR TRUCK.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 14, 201620,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, AN UNKNOWN SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RESERVOIR INTO THE VALLEY OF THE ENGINE AND THE FOUR POWER DOOR LOCKS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY UNLOCK WHEN DRIVING. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 201636,000 milesWA

BRAKES ARE SPONGY HAVE BLOWN THROUGH STOP LIGHT TWICE WITHOUT TIME TO PUMP BRAKES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS RESURFACED ROTORS AND REPLACED PADS AT MY EXPENSE NO IMPROVEMENT. PEDAL TRAVELS 1/2 TO 3/4 TO FLOOR ON INITIAL BRAKING WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWING VEHICLE, BETTER EACH TIME YOU PUMP BRAKES. WHILE TOWING TRAILER GAIN HAS TO BE ON FULL SO TRAILER BRAKES CAN HELP STOP VEHICLE, VEHICLE BRAKES ARE INSUFFICIENT. TOOK TRUCK BACK TO FORD OF KIRKLAND AFTER SPENDING $1000 AND WAS TOLD BRAKING IS NORMAL, DROVE A FRIENDS 2011 F250 AND BRAKES ARE MUCH BETTER. THE LACK OF RESPONSE ON THE PEDAL HAS CREATED MORE THAN 1 NEAR ACCIDENT AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD FULLY AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE LACK OF BRAKE PEDAL RESPONSE IS CONSISTENT REGARDLESS OF TYPE OF DRIVING OR SPEED AND HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE ABOUT 36,000 MILES. TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 48,000 MILES.

Electrical System
Filed May 18, 201639,900 milesVT

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE LOCKED ON WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON. INDEPENDENT OF WEATHER. NO WAY TO TURN OFF UNTIL ELECTRONIC SWITCHES THAT CONTROL THE WIPERS, BLINKERS, AND HIGH BEAMS WERE REPLACED. PROBLEM STARTED ON THE HIGHWAY IN MOTION. RT 89 N VERMONT. CONTINUED UNTILLED REPAIRED. PART NUMBER WAS SW-6874.

Steering
Filed Apr 11, 201620,000 milesOH

SEVERAL TIMES, AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, GENERALLY AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH, I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN EXTREME "SHIMMY" IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING LIMITED CONTROL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE AND AFTER REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS THEY WERE STILL NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP AND HAD SEVERAL OTHER PARTS REPLACED AND STILL NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. BALANCING AND TIRE PRESSURE HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER AS WELL AS OTHER CERTIFIED MECHANICS. DUE TO THE LOSS OF CONTROL WHEN THIS WOBBLE OCCURS, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE

20 of 57 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20269510Routine
202515700Do not drive
202438410Routine
2023431630Routine
20221211740Routine
20211631300Routine
20202631530Above average
20191,16412110Above average
20183971090Above average
20171,15515130Above average
2016288450Above average
2015296360Above average
201426100Routine
201321100Routine
2012 — this page57100Routine
2011122121Fatalities reported
201032100Routine
200923111Fatalities reported
2008141230Routine
200754310Routine
2006274340Above average
2005295560Above average
20042544120Above average
20031786100Routine
20022455182Fatalities reported
20012884193Fatalities reported
20002334253Fatalities reported
19992495130Above average
19981100Routine
199739270Routine
199611120Routine
19959130Routine
19942110Routine
19934110Routine
19923000Routine
19911000Routine

Compare every F-250 SD year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 9, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.