2012 FORD F-250 Engine Problems

27 complaints about Engine

27
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Engine Complaints (27)

Jul 23, 2025

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.

Jun 9, 2025

it keeps throwing a check engine light for miss fire but ive replaced all of the ignition and fuel parts and it keeps happening now its loosing power and getting hot for no reason.

Jun 6, 2024

Leaving oil spots on ground. Inside Cab smelling very strongly like burnt oil.

Feb 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle began to make an abnormal cranking sound with several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was discovered that piston rod #3 had snapped inside the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. After a year, the engine was replaced; however, three weeks later, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the exhaust gas cooling system had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,500.

Mileage: 42,500

Dec 31, 2022

Ford previously issued warranty extension for this vehicle 18-M-01 related to the replacement of the reductant heater unit. I acquired the subject vehicle above and had the repair done at my expense on September 9, 2015 with 115,710 miles on the vehicle using an OEM part. Eventually, Ford would reimburse me for this expense. The truck currently has 150,000 miles and once again the DEF heater failed . So, roughly 35,000 miles on a single unit. That seems ridiculous to me that an emissions part would fail after a mere 35,000 miles. My experience is far from being alone and others have reported similar experiences on internet forums. I will preserve this unit that failed for 60 days after the submission of this claim in case Ford or you would like to inspect it. Unfortunately, the result of having to perform repeated repairs is that people decide to remove and bypass the DEF system completely. That seems to be a terrible outcome for the environment. However, in communities where there is no emissions testing, no one will find out. Please require Ford to extend the warranty on this part again.

Aug 6, 2022

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.

Jun 20, 2022

Many early model vehicles with the 6.7 Powerstroke experience broken exhaust manifold bolts. Ford corrected this problem after the first few years of known defects but never issued a recall for the faulty design on 2011-2012 models. The exhaust leak can lead to a lack of power, “limp mode”, and/or a fire as the exhaust is located on top of the engine (not a common design). While Ford is aware of the problem, they’ve done nothing to rectify the situation.

Mar 20, 2021

ON MY 2012 FORD F250 IT HAS THE CRANK CASE VENTILATION FILTER THAT LEAKS OIL INTO THE INTAKE I HAVE SEEN ALOT OF POST ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM IT SORTA FEELS LIKE FORD WANTS OUR TRUCKS TO BREAK SOBWE HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE THE FILTER IS CHEAP BUT ITS A DEFECT THAT THE DEALER MADE THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE ALREADY BC OF THE DEF SENDING UNIT AND NOW WITH THIS PROBLEM THIA TRUCK ONLY HAS 101K MILES AND I FORGOT TO SAY WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT BUILDS UP EXTREAM PRESSURE ON THE OIL CAP WHEN IT OPENS UP IT THROWS OIL IN YOUR FACE I NEEDED TO GO TO THE EYE DOCTOR SO I COULD GET A FLUSH TRUST ME FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON THESE 6.7 THEY JUST HAVENT FIGURED OUT A SOLUTION TO KEEP THERE FORD CUSTOMERS SATISFIED I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PUT IN A NEW CCV FILTER BECAUSE OF THERE POOR DESIGN ON THIS TRUCK..

Mileage: 101,000

Feb 5, 2021

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

Mileage: 174,000

Mar 18, 2020

EGR SISTEM FAILS TO SOON AND I HAVE DEAD WOBBLE FRONT SUSPENSION

Apr 8, 2019 Fire

STARTED MY TRUCK TO LET IT WARM UP BEFORE I TOOK IT IN TO TOWN. WENT INSIDE FOR AROUND 150 MIN, COME OUTSIDE AND I SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM MY DOORS AND AS SOON AS I OPENED IT FEOM THE PASSENGER DOOR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE AND I SEEN A FIRE ON MY DRIVER SIDE FEINT SEAT. IT COMPLETELY BURNT MY TRUCK AND ANOTHER F250 THE WAS PARKED NEXT TO IT.

Mileage: 113,000

Dec 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT FOUND METAL SHRAPNEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, WHICH TRAVELED TO THE ENGINE. MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BATTERY WAS CHANGED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,180.

Mileage: 188,180

Feb 15, 2018

THE VEHICLE TOLD ME TO PULL OVER SAFELY, THEN IT SLOWED DOWN. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, AND IT SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD NOT START.

Mileage: 76,000

Aug 2, 2017

WHILE IN MOTION HIGHWAY DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND WILL NOT START

Mileage: 50,000

Jul 17, 2017

DRIVING TRUCK IT TOLD ME TO PULL OVER AND SHUT ENGINE OFF. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO GET A TOW HOME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT MY TRUCK DID AS FOLLOWS. WHEN THE EGT SENSOR GOES ON THE BLINK, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THINKS THERE IS AN EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATING SITUATION. THE VEHICLE THEN GOES INTO A 'CONTROLLED POWER REDUCTION MODE' WHILE FIVE WARNING CHIMES ARE RINGING AWAY. THIS ENDS WITH THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN COMPLETELY AS SOON AS THE TRUCK SLOWS TO FOUR MPH, WITH NO ENGINE RESTART IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 74,500

Jul 5, 2017

I HAVE A 2012 FORD F-250 6.7 LITER DIESEL, THE TRUCK HAS 63,000 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH FORD, ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO TRUCK ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED, LUCKILY WE WERE NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I HAD TRUCK TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT AS CONTAMINATED FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF FUEL SYSTEM. COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS $10,500 AND FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER BAD FUEL. PROBLEM IS I ONLY GET MY FUEL FROM ONE STATION AND THEY TESTED NEGATIVE FOR CONTAMINATION. MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS IS THERE WAS NO CONTAMINATED FUEL, BUT INSTEAD A FAULTY COMPONENT IN MY FUEL SYSTEM. MEANING FORD SHOULD BACK UP THERE PRODUCT. AT THIS TIME THE PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED BUT FORD IS ALREADY SAYING I NEED TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE

Mileage: 63,200

Sep 14, 2016

THE DIESEL DEF SAFETY SWIRCHES GO OUT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE IF TRUCK GOING LESS THAN 10 MPH. A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE IF PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 90,000

Feb 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A "STOP VEHICLE" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Nov 2, 2015

THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WILL STALL (CUT OFF) WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OR NOTICE DURING MOTION OR AT A STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT CITY SPEEDS (LESS THAN 25 MPH) AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (GREATER THAN 55 MPH) THE VEHICLE WILL NOT IMMEDIATELY START BUT MAY START AFTER STANDING FOR SOME TIME. THIS CAUSES POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND OTHER IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES TO BE DEGRADED OR LOST.

Mileage: 49,000

Oct 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS OIL COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACK BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

May 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND OVER A BUMP, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHING BAR ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE PULL OVER SAFELY NOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

Apr 13, 2015

I HAVE A 2012 FORD F250 KING RANCH 6.7 DIESEL. THE RADIATOR STARTED LEAKING SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND OUT I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR. SINCE MY BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 36K MILES THIS REPAIR WAS ON MY DIME. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE FORUMS AND SUCH, THERE HAVE BEEN KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE DIESEL RADIATOR AS FAR BACK AS 2008. THE ENTIRE PREMISE BEHIND A DIESEL ENGINE IS "COMPRESSION-IGNITION" IN WHICH FUEL IS IGNITED DUE TO COMPRESSED AIR AT APPROXIMATELY 1000 DEGREES F. THERE IS NO SCENARIO WHERE THE EITHER THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RADIATOR AND/OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEMSELVES SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS FAULTY PART AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS OVER $2,000 ON A VEHICLE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. IN NO WAY SHOULD ANY NEW VEHICLE OWNER BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR A NEW RADIATOR MUCH LESS FOR THE LABOR TO INSTALL IT AND THAT GOES DOUBLE FOR THE OWNER OF A DIESEL ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 43,505

Mar 10, 2014

RED FLUID FOUND ON GARAGE FLOOR. I TOOK MY TRUCK IN AND FORD COULD NOT FIND ANY LEAK. WITHIN A WEEK LATER I TOOK IT BACK AND SHOWED THEM WHERE IT WAS LEAKING. FORD BROUGHT THE MASTER MECHANIC OVER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS SOMETHING LOOSE ON THE RIGHT SIDE UP HIGH THEY DID NOT TELL ME WHAT IT WAS. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS I TOOK IT BACK AGAIN AND THEY DETERMINED THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING THEY HAD THE TRUCK FOR 3 DAYS. AFTER PICKING UP MY TRUCK WITHIN 200 FEET FROM THE FORD DEALER THE LOW POWER ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SYMBOL LIT UP. THEY 1ST TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE TOP OF THE ENGINE OFF TO CHECK IT OUT. A HOUR PASSED AND I GOT CALLED AND TOLD IT WAS THE DIESEL FUEL WAS GELLING UP AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO PUT A ADDITIVE IN THE FUEL AND THAT I SHOULD ADD IT AGAIN EVERY OTHER TANK OF FUEL. *TR

Mileage: 18,000

Jan 17, 2014

ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2012 I PURCHASED A NEW 2012 FORD F250 DIESEL PICKUP FROM A FORD DEALER. ON/ABOUT 1 NOVEMBER 2012 WHILE ACCELERATING (FROM APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES PER HOUR SPEED) INTO AN INTERSTATE TRAFFIC LANE THIS VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO AN ENGINE NEAR STALL/LOSS OF POWER CONDITION WHICH LASTED APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FIVE SECONDS AND THEN REGAINED NORMAL ENGINE POWER. THIS WAS A VERY ALARMING CONDITION AS I WAS ENTERING INTO HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC AND NEEDED CAPABLE ACCELERATION WHILE ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC. THE TRUCK HAD APPROXIMATELY 450 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED. I TOOK THIS TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN THE TRUCK HAD 551 MILES ON IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK ON 27 NOVEMBER 2013, THIS SAME ENGINE NEAR-STALL EVENT OCCURRED UNDER A SIMILAR HIGHWAY INGRESS CONDITION WHEN THE TRUCK HAD APPROXIMATELY 5,100 MILES ON IT. I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO A FORD DEALER FOR A SECOND CHECKUP. I THEN TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DIFFERENT FORD DEALER ON 6 JANUARY 2014 WHEN THE TRUCK HAD 5,510 MILES ON IT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. NEITHER OF THE TWO FORD DEALERS THAT I'VE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO FOR DIAGNOSIS WILL PROVIDE ME WITH A FURTHER COURSE OF ACTION TO FIX THIS RECURRING ENGINE MALFUNCTION. I WANT THIS MALFUNCTION FIXED OR A NEW PICKUP TO REPLACE IT, IT CREATES A PERSONAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN THE TRUCK FROM WHEN IT WAS ONLY A MONTH OLD AND HAD 450 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 450

Aug 26, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND A WARNING CHIME. IN ADDITION, A CAUTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED THAT ADVISED THE CONTACT TO STOP SAFELY. THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED CAUTIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE ONE OF THE FOUR ENGINE EGT EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE SENSORS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,285.

Mileage: 33,285

Jul 28, 2013

THE TRUCK ENGINE WILL STALL AT LOW SPEED FOR ONE TO FIVE SECONDS, ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC. I HAVE REPORTED TO NORTHSIDE FORD EVERY TIME I HAVE IT SERVICED, THEY FINALLY AGREED THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM, HOWEVER THEY HAVE FAILED TO FIX . I GET THE IMPRESSION THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM,BUT FOR THEIR OWN REASONS DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 100

Aug 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON AN INCLINE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS OVERHEATING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND ULTIMATELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,200.

Mileage: 7,000