The 2012 Ford F-450 is a serious truck with major towing and hauling capacity. What it lacks in gas mileage, it more than makes up for in durability, suspension, power, and torque. Plus, with a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission, you have all of the control you need to drive in even the worst conditions.
Key Features
The turbo diesel V8 engine is this truck’s most prominent feature, as it has the power and torque to haul even the heaviest loads. As you drive it around town or to and from work sites, though, you’ll probably appreciate the roomy cab and surprisingly smooth ride more than the towing capacity.
Changes for 2012
The 2012 F-450 got an upgrade in both power and torque for better towing and carrying, especially in tough terrain.
What We Like
We really like the way the cab is designed in this truck. It’s roomy and comfortable, whether you go with the regular cab, SuperCab, or crew cab option. The stiff suspension and durable chassis also put us at ease when driving over rough, uneven terrain, especially when carrying a load.
What Concerns Us
It’s difficult to find a truck with high hauling capacity and good fuel efficiency, but we’d prefer it if Ford would actually include the gas mileage rating in the vehicle specs on the F-450. With gas prices on the rise, we aren’t the biggest fans of vehicles that don’t get decent mileage.
Available Models
As with the other F-series trucks, the 2012 F-450 comes in three cab options: regular, SuperCab, and crew cab. Unlike other models, the F-450 only comes with a diesel engine option and is not available with a regular engine. The engine’s specifications include:
- Engine – 6.7-liter V8 twin turbo diesel
- Power – 400 HP at 2800 RPM
- Torque – 800 lb-ft at 1600 RPM
Major Recalls
Some F-450 models were affected by the same recall that affected some F-350 models manufactured in 2011. Due to a faulty sensor, the vehicle’s computer would read that the vehicle was overheating when it was actually running at normal temperatures. This would force the engine management system to activate, and the truck could not be restarted without a cooling down period.
Common Issues
There have been very few issues with this truck, but the most common include poorly functioning air conditioning units, especially if the vehicle was operating under a load and premature wear on factory-installed brake pads. These issues seem to be few and far between, but be aware of them when shopping for a 2012 Ford F-450.
