NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Ford F-550 Recalls & Complaints
The 2012 Ford F-550 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 13 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Ford F-550. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Ford F-550 owner complaints
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford F-550, describing incidents dated October 5, 2012 to May 17, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Engine 10 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
- Service Brakes 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Power Train 1 complaint
- Steering 1 complaint
Of the 13 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 1 a fire; across all 13 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11590361 · Filed
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…
ODI #11462602 · Filed
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…
ODI #11354215 · Filed
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
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2012 Ford F-550 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Recall Query RQ14-005: Vehicle Commanded Engine Shutdown
Closed March 15, 2016
- Preliminary Evaluation PE13-038: CNG Fuel Container Securement
Closed March 9, 2014
PTO Pressure Switch Oil Leak may Result in Fire
NHTSA #14V498000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported August 13, 2014 · PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co.
Potentially affected: 3 vehicles
Repair completion: 0% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified November 12, 2014 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Broken CNG Tank Brackets
NHTSA #14V040000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice
Reported February 6, 2014 · Almared, Inc.
Potentially affected: 18 vehicles
Owners notified January 10, 2014 · Vehicles built May 1, 2011 – April 13, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
If the brackets break, the CNG tank may separate from the vehicle frame increasing the risk of a crash or possible fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Ambulance Engine Stall
NHTSA #13V535000 · Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported October 30, 2013 · Ford Motor Company
Potentially affected: 2,951 vehicles
Repair completion: 87.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Ford campaign 13S10 · Owners notified November 25, 2013
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Insufficient Tailpipe Length
NHTSA #13V380000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · NHTSA notice
Reported August 23, 2013 · Manning Equipment Inc. LLC
Potentially affected: 37 vehicles
Owners notified July 24, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Excessive heat build up in rear compartment could result in fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER
NHTSA #11V582000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice
Reported December 8, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 16,091 vehicles
Ford campaign 11C21 · Owners notified December 22, 2011 · Vehicles built September 12, 2011 – September 22, 2011 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Other Ford F-550 model years
Check your 2012 Ford F-550 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-550 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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