Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2012 Ford F-550: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford F-550, most recently filed August 2014. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 5campaigns 2 engine · 1 equipment · 1 fuel system Source: NHTSA Complaints 13filed Owner reports, 2011–2020 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
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Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2012 Ford F-550. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2012 Ford F-550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V498000 Filed Aug 13, 2014

PTO Pressure Switch Oil Leak may Result in Fire

Equipment
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
0% repairedof 3 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V498000
Listed for 2012 Ford F-550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V040000 Filed Feb 6, 2014

Broken CNG Tank Brackets

Fuel system, other · storage · tank assembly · mounting
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
If the brackets break, the CNG tank may separate from the vehicle frame increasing the risk of a crash or possible fire.
Remedy
Almared, Inc. has notified owners and all affected vehicles have been remedied, free of charge. Owners may contact Almared at 1-559-485-4427.
Repair progress not yet reported18 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V040000
Listed for 2012 Ford F-550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V535000 Filed Oct 30, 2013

Ambulance Engine Stall

Engine
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
87.7% repairedof 2,951 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V535000
Listed for 2012 Ford F-550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V380000 Filed Aug 23, 2013

Insufficient Tailpipe Length

Engine and engine cooling · exhaust system · manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported37 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V380000
Listed for 2012 Ford F-550. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V582000 Filed Dec 8, 2011

TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported16,091 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V582000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which F-550 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford F-550All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (13)

13 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford F-550, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 13.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2012 compares with other F-550 years

Best and worst F-550 years →
12 13 6 2 9 13 8 14 17
201120122013201420162017201820192020
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2012 F-550 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All F-550 years

Where to next

Which F-550 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2013 Ford F-550 report6 complaints · 1 campaigns →2011 Ford F-550 report12 complaints · 5 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2012 Ford F-550 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford F-550 have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 14V498000 (equipment), 14V040000 (fuel system), 13V535000 (engine), 13V380000 (engine), 11V582000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2012 Ford F-550 problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (9), Fuel/propulsion system (2), Service brakes (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 2012 F-550 compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Ford F-550 model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2020 the most (17). The 2012 drew 13. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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