2012 Ford F-550 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (6) · Service Brakes (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-550 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (5)
Equipment 2014-08-13 · campaign 14V498000 · 3 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:mounting 2014-02-06 · campaign 14V040000 · 18 vehicles
Defect: Almared, Inc., dba A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems, is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-550 transit buses manufactured May 2011 through April 2013, altered to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the brackets securing the passenger side CNG fuel tank may break.
Risk: If the brackets break, the CNG tank may separate from the vehicle frame increasing the risk of a crash or possible fire.
Fix: Almared, Inc. has notified owners and all affected vehicles have been remedied, free of charge. Owners may contact Almared at 1-559-485-4427.
Engine 2013-10-30 · campaign 13V535000 · 2,951 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2013-08-23 · campaign 13V380000 · 37 vehicles
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.
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2011-12-08 · campaign 11V582000 · 16,091 vehicles
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 INTE
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (12)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2016-04-20 · TSB160066 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
touchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
Electrical System 2016-04-20 · 16-0066 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to arabic may exhibit a blank screen. this may be the result of the ribbon cables not being fully seated inside the front display interface module (fdim) or an improper software configuration of the fdim.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-07-01 · 44863 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. please use at your discretion. various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear door window(s) or sunroof are open. *ta
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter 2014-02-01 · ASI-44390 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: a possible intermediate clutch piston lip seal is worn and can cause an intermediate rough clutch piston bore to slip 1-3 and/or no 2-3 upshift condition. model 2012-2013 e series, f-450, 550, 53 motorhome, f 59 stripped chassis. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2013-06-18 · TSB-13-6-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: in some diesel trucks, the mil may illuminate and is most common with trucks operating in low speed driving and/or operating in stationary idle mode for an extended periods of time, where the exhaust regeneration process is not fully completed. model 2012 f-450, f-550 super duty.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel 2013-05-16 · TSB-13-5-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: when truck is prevented, after an extended time period of stationary idleness or low speed driving, it fails to complete exhaust regeneration process and illuminates mil and dtc p207f with/without dtc p204f. model 2012 f-450, 550. *pe
Showing the 6 most recent of 12 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-05-23 · Steering · 72,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 ford f-550 chassis with an earth roamer rv. the contact stated while driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. the contact stated that the turbocharger needle on the instrument cluster fell to zero. the contact stated no warning light was illuminated. the co…”
2022-04-28 · Engine · 35,800 mi“the contact owns a 2012 ford f-550. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact made multiple attempts to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle repeatedly failed to start up. due to the failure, the contact called the dealer and had the vehicle towed there for an inspection. th…”
2020-09-10 · Engine · 🔥 fire“while driving vehicle on trail it was noticed that smoke and fire were coming from the undercarriage. driver attempted to put the fire out with the vehicle supplied fire extinguisher. after the extinguisher ran out the vehicle fire accelerated and totally engulfed the vehicle.*dt*jb…”
2019-09-17 · Service Brakes · 55,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-550. while the contact was hauling sand and reground gravel up a hill, the emergency brake was engaged and the gear shifter was placed into park. the engine was running and the contact exited the vehicle. when the contact re-entered the vehicle, shifted gears, and released the emergency brake to drive, the engine …”
2019-08-29 · Service Brakes“i have only used the truck for five months and have had several business interruptions and issues with the truck from the gas tank leaking, problems with the brakes and the box hoist that would not raise. i have had the box hoist fixed multiple times but the weld keeps breaking. i am sure ford knows about the hoist problem but they have not issue…”
2018-12-29 · Unknown Or Other · 267,000 mi“ecm loosing information, on high way truck shut down would not move due to emission and pcm problem. ecm need to reflash on updated version or replace…”
2018-06-26 · Engine · 114,484 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-550. the contact stated that the cam shaft fractured internally within the cylinder head and destroyed the engine assembly. the dealer (mathews ford oregon, 2811 navarre ave, oregon, oh 43616, (419) 698-4444) and the manufacturer indicated that the vehicle's three year warranty had expired and service was denied p…”
2018-04-03 · Engine · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-550. while driving on an incline at 60 mph, the engine power loss indicator illuminated. suddenly, the contact heard a loud pop sound and the engine stalled and lost power. the vehicle was towed to worthington ford (2950 n bellflower blvd, long beach, ca 90815, (562) 420-3333) where it was diagnosed that the high …”
2017-03-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 102,000 mi“diesel exhaust fluid system failed shutting down my vehicle while driving and i had to be towed to a ford dealer. this is a safety issue and could have caused a major accident on the highway. i never got a recall notice about this major problem. now i am told i would have to spend over $5000.00 to get this problem fixed. ford had gotten many co…”
2016-11-02 · Engine · 36,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-550. while driving 65 mph with the exhaust cleaning cycle operated, the cycle suddenly stopped. the vehicle lost power, stalled, and the check oil warning indicator illuminated. the failure recurred on two separate occasions. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.