Home · 2012 Ford F-250 Supercab · Complaints

What 323 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-250 Supercab

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (323)Crash / fire / injury (12)Suspension (139)Steering (130)Engine (42)Electrical system (28)Engine & cooling (19)Fuel system (19)Wheels (19)Transmission & drivetrain (18)Brakes (14)Body & structure (9)

18 of 323 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters

Jul 23, 2025Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I just had to replace the ECM because it fired. after replacing that it still won't start. I've talked to multiple people who have had the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11675751

Jul 7, 2025Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine seizure due to coolant intrusion in the engine. The contact stated that while the dealer was in the process of replacing the engine, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission also needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the engine and the transmission. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was bucking and jerking. The gear shift indicator light displayed that the transmission was slipping from drive(D) to neutral(N) and reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced; however, the part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,500.

NHTSA ODI 11671757

Mar 20, 2023Transmission & drivetrainFuel System, Diesel

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over 50 MPH, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted and that the transmission was slipping while shifting. The contact also stated that prior to entering the vehicle, he noticed a fluid leak underneath. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where unknown transmission repairs were completed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the fuel pressure regulator and heater malfunction failure codes were retrieved, and it was diagnosed that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,100.

NHTSA ODI 11512823

Aug 24, 2022SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake abnormally without warning. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the death wobble. The contact also stated that the EGR cooler was defective, causing the vehicle to downshift while driving at various speeds. The contact had the EGR cooler repaired by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired for the death wobble. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,700.

NHTSA ODI 11480961

Aug 6, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Very intermittently, when I brake this vehicle to bring it to a stop, the engine will start to rev uncontrollably. I have to practically "stand" on the brake to keep it from charging forward. I have to turn off the truck to stop this high speed revving. After this happened 3 times in 2 months we took it to the dealer to check. There was nothing on the floor that could cause the gas pedal to accelerate. The dealer in Kingwood, WV could not duplicate, and found nothing wrong when inspected. We only use the truck once or twice a month so it is a low use vehicle. For this reason the problem does not occur frequently enough to replicate "on demand". While there was not a crash, it almost revved through an intersection and almost ran into another vehicle. Fortunately I was able to throw it into park (Not Good for the vehicle) and then turn it off.

NHTSA ODI 11477905

Feb 5, 2021Transmission & drivetrainEngine

THE 6.2 ENGINE HAS BROKEN VALVE SPRINGS 3 TIMES NOW. FIRST TWO TIMES WAS ABLE TO JUST REPLACE THE BROKEN VALVE SPRING. THE 3RD TIME IT BROKE A VALVE SPRING IT DROPPED THE VALVE IN THE MOTOR AND PUT HOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE BLOCK AND SEIZED THE MOTOR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK

NHTSA ODI 11394899

Feb 16, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 85 AT 65MPH PASSING A VEHICLE AND ALL THE SUDDEN TRUCK STARTS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE, MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL UNTIL WE GOT BELOW 30 MPH. FELT AS IF TIRES WERE GOING TO FALL OFF OR WE WERE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI 11309562

Feb 15, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

SHIFTS TO WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11180327

Jul 16, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

EGT SENSORS FAILING AND LEAVING ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

NHTSA ODI 11005536

Jun 4, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

EGT SENSOR FAULT RESULTED IN A "STOP SAFELY NOW" ALERT, SHUTDOWN OF POWER WHILE APPROACHING THE NECHES RIVER BRIDGE IN BEAUMONT, TX, A BRIDGE ON A 3-LANE INTERSTATE (I-10). ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY SHUTDOWN WHILE IN HEAVY AFTERNOON WORK TRAFFIC CAUSING HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT. TRAFFIC BEHIND AND NEXT TO ME SWERVED AND BRAKED ON THE 75 MPH INTERSTATE WHILE THE TRUCK LOST POWER AS IT JUST MADE THE CREST. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. EGT WAS REPLACED. BANK 1, SENSOR 4. SECOND SUCH FAILURE. FIRST WAS IN AUGUST, 2015. REPLACED WITH AC3Z-5J213-B IN AUG, 2015 (THE CURRENT FAILED EGT). THIS TIME REPLACE WITH AC3Z-5J213-C, SEE PHOTO FOR DIFFERENCES IN SENSOR DESIGN. I HAVE READ RQ 14-005, VEHICLE COMMANDED ENGINE SHUTDOWN, AND CANNOT BELIEVE THIS TOPIC WAS REVISITED WITH NO ACTION RESULTING TO REQUIRE THE 15V-175 REMEDY REPROGRAMMING FOR NON-EMERGENCY VEHICLES. I ASK THE THE NHTSA REVISIT THIS TOPIC TO CONSIDER ALLOWING OWNERS TO HAVE THE SAME PCM CHANGE TO STOP A SINGLE EGT SENSOR FAULT TO RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER AND CAUSING HIGH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY TO THE PUBLIC. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER IN THE PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY, AND HAVING PARTICIPATED IN MANY HAZARDS ANALYSES OVER 20 YEARS, I STRUGGLE TO SEE THAT THE CONSEQUENCE OF CONTINUED USE WITH A BAD SENSOR FOR A LONGER PERIOD, BUT AT SOME REDUCED POWER, COULD EVER BE GREATER THE CHAOS, CONFUSION, AND HIGH INJURY POTENTIAL FROM PROMPT REMOVAL OF 70% VEHICLE POWER FROM THE DRIVER IN 45 SECONDS. TOWING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER AND EXPERIENCING THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" POWER CUTOUT IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND I HOPE TO HEAR OF THE REOPENING OF INVESTIGATION ON THIS TOPIC AND ALLOWANCE TO REPROGRAM THE PCM.

NHTSA ODI 10993095

Apr 28, 2017Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE JUST HIT 75,500 MILES AND THE WATER PUMP BROKE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK. CONSIDERING THAT I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR HAULING ANIMALS, THIS PUTS ME IN A BIND AND I AM LUCKY THAT SOMETHING DIDN'T GO WHILE ON THE TRIP TO PICK UP A HORSE THAT HAD TO BE CANCELLED FOR THIS WEEKEND. CONSIDERING THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR TRUCKS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO IT AS AN AREA TO BE ADDRESSED IN FUTURE PRODUCTION OF THESE VEHICLES AND POSSIBLY EXISTING VEHICLES AS WELL. SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR WATER PUMPS REPLACED WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE IT FALL UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER SOME, LIKE MYSELF, ARE NOT THAT FORTUNATE AND HAVE A NICE, HEFTY BILL TO PAY FOR A RECURRENTLY FAULTY PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI 10981277

Jan 3, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

EGT FAILURE CAUSES TRUCK TO LOSE POWER AND SHUT DOWN ON SIDE OF ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO DIFFERENT TRUCKS OF THE SAME MODEL & YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 10817468

Mar 30, 2015Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

RADIATOR FAILED AT 47,500 MILES. FORD REFUSES TO FIX. HAVE READ MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF DEFECTIVE RADIATORS FAILING FROM NEW TO 100,000 MILES. THIS WEBSITE LISTS COMPLAINTS AND AVERAGE MILEAGE. HTTP://REPAIRPAL.COM/COOLANT-LEAK-FROM-RADIATOR-931. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10702758

Jan 12, 2015Transmission & drivetrainSeat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN UNBUCKLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADJUSTED THE SEAT BELT CLIP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND DESCENDING DOWN A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD RAPIDLY DOWNSHIFT, REDUCING THE SPEED AND CAUSING THE PASSENGERS TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO A COMPUTER, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 03/04/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEATBELT DOESN'T ALWAYS RETRACT CAUSING IT TO BECOME DAMAGED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWNSHIFT WHILE GOING DOWNHILL. THE RPMS WOULD REACH 2000 WHEN IT SHOULD BE 1250. THE VEHICLE WOULD DOWNSHIFT 8 TIMES IN LESS THAN 7 MILES. UPDATED 10/8/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI 10671832

Nov 24, 2014Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngineCrash

AFTER DRIVING FOR 5 MINUTES A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE REAR LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL- NO CHANGE IN THE DRIVABILITY. ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER THAT THE COMPUTER STARTED FLASHING DIFFERENT SYMBOLS INDICATING MANY PROBLEMS- THE ALARMS WERE GOING OFF NON-STOP- THEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE COMPUTER. THIS TRUCK IS HEAVY AND I MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD AND WENT INTO THE OTHER LANE! IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE TOWING A LOAD ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN PASSES I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED- AND HURT OR KILLED OTHERS! FORD HAS HAD BAD DIESEL ENGINES SINCE THEY DROPPED THE 7.3 YEARS AGO AND ARE RIPPING OFF PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY- PLEASE DON'T LET SOMEONE DIE OVER A KNOWN PROBLEM. SEEMS CHEAPER FOR FORD TO PUT US IN DANGER BY SHUTTING DOWN THIS ENGINE AND THEREFORE NOT REPLACING THE ENGINE AND COMPUTER SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10660713

Jul 22, 2014Transmission & drivetrainEngine

STOP SAFELY NOW: WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AND YOU HAVE TO ROLL AS FAR AS YOU CAN TO HOPEFULLY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC AND DRIVER OF "NOT SO GREAT RUNNING VEHICLES" AS I HAVE TEST AND TUNE THEM TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE IS TO REPAIR THEM. E.G. NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, NON WORKING FUEL PUMPS...ETC. WITH THAT SAID, I DO NOT THINK AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OF A NON WORKING VEHICLE WOULD DO SO WELL IN THIS SITUATION AND COULD END UP POSSIBLY HARMING OTHERS AS A RESULT. I JUST KNEW FOR SURE THIS WOULD BE ON THE RECALL LIST FOR SAFETY ISSUES AND TO FIND OUT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR "EMERGENCY VEHICLES ONLY". MY QUESTION IS... WHO SAYS A PERSONAL VEHICLE IS NOT EVER GOING TO BE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE FOR YOUR FAMILY, FRIEND OR A COWORKER. COME ON FORD, IF YOUR CUSTOMERS BUY A 65,000 TRUCK SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE THE COMFORT OF TRUSTING THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STRAND THEM DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY OR STOP RUNNING IF THEY ARE TAKING SOMEONE TO THE ER... FORD DID REPAIR MY TRUCK UNDER WARRANTY, BUT, I THINK THIS COULD HAVE ALL BEEN AVOIDED IF THE RECALL WAS OUT FOR ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10615330

Jan 9, 2014SteeringFuel System, DieselTransmission & drivetrainEngine

VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED RUNNING IN TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY 231 IN MONTGOMERY AL. ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER, SECOND INCIDENCE OF VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION [SEE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT (ODI NUMBER) IS: XXX59219. CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSIST. I HAVE 125K EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OF ANY KIND FROM ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS . VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH "EVIDENCE OF WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM" . THERE WAS NO WATER PRESENT IN SYSTEM , NO "WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT ,HAS NEVER LIT UP ON THIS VEHICLE , HAD IT CHECKED IN THE PAST ,WAS TOLD WAS FUNCTIONAL], WAS TOLD REPAIRS WERE "NOT COVERED " .ALL SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE TO FORD SPECIFICATIONS AND AT FORD FACILITY. THESE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY IF THE WARNING SYSTEM WAS OPERABLE . I AM IN A BUSINESS THAT SELLS, OPERATES AND USES DIESELS EVERY DAY AND ALL MODERN DIESELS HAVE WATER IN FUEL SENSORS . CASE IS STILL OPEN WITH FORD CUSTOMER CARE . THIS NEEDS DOCUMENTATION . THERE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE IF THE TRUCKS SYSTEMS WERE OPERATING PROPERLY. THE REPAIRS ARE MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD FOR A TRUCK THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS CLEARLY A SYSTEM FAILURE . *TR

NHTSA ODI 10559221

Jul 21, 2013Transmission & drivetrain

I STARTED THE TRUCK ONE MORNING TO HEAD TO CHURCH PUT THE TRUCK IN (D) DRIVE HEADED OUT DOWN THE HWY PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN ON THE WAY WHEN TRAFFIC CLEARED I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE REVIVED UP REAL HIGH BUT THE TRUCK DIDN'T MOVE AND ABOUT THE TIME I STARTED TO LET OFF, THE TRANSMISSION CLUNKED AND TOOK OFF AND SHIFTED WEIRD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. THE TRUCK HAS RESPONDED TWO OTHER TIMES IN THE VERY SAME WAY ONCE GOING ABOUT 40MPH IT REACTED LIKE THE TRUCK SHIFTED IN NEUTRAL. FORD DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT PUMP IN TRANSMISSION, IT STILL SHIFTS WEIRD AND MAKES A TERRIBLE WHINING NOISE. TWO OR THREE TIMES UNDER ACCELERATION TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE TRANS DOWN SHIFTED FROM 6TH GEAR TO 4TH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK UP, AND THEN THE OPPOSITE OCCURRED PRESSED ACCELERATOR TO FLOOR RUNNING ABOUT 45MPH TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE TRANS NEVER DOWN SHIFTED AND I HAD TO BRAKE AND FALL BACK IN BEHIND THAT CAR BEFORE A HEAD ON OCCURRED. THERE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS TRUCK, I HAVE FILED LEMON LAW ACTION AND FORD ENGINEER CAME AND DROVE THE TRUCK AND HE SAID THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL CONCERNS WITH THE TRUCK. SOMEONE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10526028

Working with the data? Download all 323 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ford F-250 Supercab verdict →