Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Ford F-250 SD
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Ford F-250 SD has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 57 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20E090000 Steering May Lock Up NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 18 complaints
- Engine 15 complaints
- Suspension 14 complaints
- Electrical System 10 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 7 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 4 complaints
Of the 57 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Ford F-250 SD exhibits an average reliability score. Common issues relate to steering and engine, which occur more frequently, affecting overall dependability. However, repair costs are moderate, aligning with similar models.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering | 50,000–90,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | very common |
| engine cooling | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | common |
| suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $400–$900 | common |
| electrical system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| power train | 90,000–130,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection every 10,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Loose steering feel
- Overheating engine
- Clunking sounds from suspension
- Warning lights on dash
- Sudden power loss
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Ford F-250 SD at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.