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2012 Ford F-550 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 Ford F-550 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 15safety recalls
- 19owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 1fire report
- 1injury reported
19 complaints, against an average of 9 for the other 13 Ford F-550 model years.
Every Ford F-550 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 Ford F-550?
The components named most often in the 19 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 Ford F-550 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 19 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2012 Ford F-550 been recalled?
15 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks manufactured February 22, 2010, to January 30, 2015, and equipped with ambulance or fire engine preparation packages. The affected vehicles may detect an incorrect Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor (EGT) fault indicating that the vehicle is too hot, causing the engine management system to shut down the engine and prevent its immediate restart.
Risk: Engine shut down and a subsequent cool down period may delay medical treatment or assistance to those needing it, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S09.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Fix: Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Equipment 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.
Equipment Palfleet Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Palfleet) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 super duty vehicles modified by Palfleet 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: Palfleet will notify 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 July 29, 2014. Owners may contact Palfleet customer service at 1- 502-376-2458.
Equipment Dual-Tech, Inc. (Dual-Tech) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-550 Super Duty trucks modified by Dual-Tech, 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: Dual-Tech will notify 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 June 20, 2014. Owners may contact Dual-Tech customer service at 1-800-852-0345.
Equipment Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Manning 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: Manning will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. This action is the same as the service campaign action. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Manning at 1-800-876-8768.
Equipment Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify owners and dealers to inspect the Muncie PTO pressure switch to determine if it is from the range of defective switches and if required, remove the pressure switch assembly and put a plug in the port where the PTO switch had been installed. This switch was never being utilized. This will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-July 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
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: Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. will notify 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 July 28, 2014. Owners may contact Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc. at 1-800-247-5958.
Equipment Stahl is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Ford F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles modified by Stahl 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: Stahl will notify owners, and dealers will install a new pressure switch kit that moves the switch away from the exhaust system, free of charge. Owners may contact Stahl customer service at 1-800-277-8245, or Muncie at 1-800-367-7867.
Equipment Utility Truck Equipment Company, LLC (Utility Truck) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 UTLI41A, 2011 UTLN41, and 2012 UTLN46 aerial trucks manufactured December 2010 to September 2013 equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies installed on 2010-2013 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 vehicles. 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: Utility Truck will notify 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 in June 2014. Owners may contact Utility Truck customer service at 1-254-857-8813.
Equipment Somerset Welding & Steel, doing business as J&J Truck equipment (J&J), is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis with 6.8L gasoline engines modified by J&J to be 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: Somerset will notify 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 August 2014. Owner's may contact Somerset customer service at 1-800-777-2671.
Equipment Tactical Vehicle Outfitters (Tactical) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Ford F-350 and F-550 vehicles modified by Tactical 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: Tactical will notify owners, and dealers will install a new PTO pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2014. Owners may contact Tactical customer service at 1-405-603-6700.
Fuel System, Other: Storage: Tank Assembly: Mounting 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 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 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 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.
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.
What do 2012 Ford F-550 owners report?
12 of the 19 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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 contact stated that the vehicle was losing motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the abnormal banging sound was louder, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact pulled off the highway and then stated that…
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. The contact then called an independent mechanic who informed him that based on what he described; his vehicle had experienced engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The…
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
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 STALLED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE JUNE 05,2019 AND SEPT.6, 2019. THERE…
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 ISSUED ANY RECALLS FOR IT. AS A CONSUMER I FEEL CHEATED. MY RECENT PROBLEM IS THE ENGINE, IT HAD STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY FOR NO REASON AT ALL AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PUT MY…
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 PER THE CAMPAIGN FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NUMBER: 17B30. THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY ONCE BEFORE AND INDICATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE…
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 PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY SHOULD PAY TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A SHORT TIME AND PAID OVER $59,000 FOR IT. I TRIED TO CONTACT SEVERAL FORD EXECUTIVES OVER TWO WEEKS AGO AND HEARD BACK FROM NONE.
WE JUST HAD TO PAY AN $800.00+ BILL FOR PINCHED WIRES UNDER THE CAB OF THE TRUCK CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER NOT PROPERLY ROUTING THE HARNESS, THEREFORE CAUSING A DEAD SHORT IN THE TRUCK AND CAUSING THE REPLACEMENT OF 4 BATTERIES SINCE JUNE 2015. THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THIS WAS DONE BY FORD AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY! BECAUSE OF THE PINCHED WIRE THE DRIVER HAD TO FIRST STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THEN TURN TO KEY TO START
VEHICLES PTO PRESSURE SWITCH IS LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST AND PER JERR-DAN WHO HAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT ON THE SAME VEHICLE RANGE AND APPLICATION (REF NUM. 14V-507) THIS VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED? VEHICLE IS A 2012 F550 WITH A MUNCIE POWER TAKE OF UNIT WITH A PRESSURE SWITCH MOUNTED NEXT TO EXHAUST. *TR
INCIDENT #1: IT WAS DETERMINED DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS THE MANUFACTURER OF MY EXPEDITION VEHICLE/MOTOR HOME (MH) WAS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN., DOT REGULATION UNDER 571.108 COVERING LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. SPECIFICALLY MY MH WAS MISSING TWO AMBER CLEARANCE LAMPS ON THE FRONT, AND TWO RED SIDE MARKER LAMPS ON THE REAR. AFTER MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE VIOLATION THEY CORRECTED THE MISTAKE. INCIDENT #2: IT WAS DETERMINED 08/07/2012 DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS THE MANUFACTURER OF MY MH WAS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE…
THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAF CNG FUEL CONVERSION. THE WELDS BROKE ON THE BRACKETS HOLDING THE RIGHT HAND FUEL TANK TO THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE RIGHT FRAME RAIL ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO DROP TO THE PAVEMENT. AS THE FUEL TANK WAS BEING DRAGGED ON THE PAVEMENT THE DRIVER SAW SPARKS FLYING IN BOTH REAR VIEW MIRRORS AND SO SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS SHE WAS TRYING TO PULL OVER THE FUEL TANK SLID OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND WEDGED IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR TIRES BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STILL PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE RIGHT…
2012 Ford F-550: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 Ford F-550 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-550; the most common categories were engine (12, 63.2%), electrical system (2, 10.5%), equipment (2, 10.5%). There are 15 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford F-550?
Across 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (63.2% of complaints), electrical system (10.5% of complaints), equipment (10.5% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (10.5% of complaints), service brakes (10.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 Ford F-550 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2012 Ford F-550; the most recent (campaign 15V175000, 2015-03-25) concerns Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2012 Ford F-550 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
8 of the 19 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 Ford F-550 (42.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. A related recall exists: campaign 13V535000 (engine). The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the exhaust gas temperature sensor, free of charge. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11083152, April 2018). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own F-550
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2012 only; combines NHTSA's entries for F-550 and F-550 SD. How these reports are made.