With Ford’s stiffest chassis to date, the 2012 F-350 is one of the most reliable heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market today. With the quiet cabin and plush ride, though, you’ll feel like you’re driving in the comfort of a sedan – a sedan with a huge towing capacity and a lot of room for equipment and gear.
Key Features
The F-350 has a lot of comfort features that drivers love, but among them the suspension really stands out. With an independent I-beam front suspension and solid live axle rear suspension, this truck can take just about any terrain, and it can take it under a load.
Changes for 2012
Ford increased the power and torque on the PowerStroke turbo diesel engine for 2012, and they included a standard gooseneck hitch with all models, as well.
What We Like
We love the smooth ride and comfort of the F-350. It’s definitely a workhorse of a truck, but it feels like a much more comfortable vehicle, even when it’s loaded down. The added power and torque also make it a lot easier to haul heavy equipment and get the job done on a daily basis.
What Concerns Us
If you don’t need the towing and hauling capacity of an F-350, you might want to consider a smaller model, as it’s going to be a lot more fuel efficient. Also, some owners have reported issues with cracked rims and premature wear on the manufacturers’ tires.
Available Models
For 2012, the F-350 was available in three cab options – regular, SuperCab, and crew cab. You could also choose between a regular and diesel engine. Engine specs included:
Diesel:
- 6.7-liter V8
- 400 HP at 2800 RPM
- 800 lb-ft at 1600 RPM
Regular:
- 6.2-liter V8
- 385 HP at 5500 RPM
- 405 lb-ft at 4500 RPM
Major Recalls
Some 2012 F-350s were recalled due to a tendency to get an inaccurate reading from the exhaust gas temperature sensor. Basically, the vehicle’s sensors would read that it was overheating. The engine management system would then kick in and prevent the vehicle from restarting until a cooling period had passed.
Common Issues
This model year’s most common problems seem to all focus on the wheels and tires. There have been some reports of cracked OEM rims and early wear on the manufacturer’s tires. Be aware of these issues when you inspect any 2012 F-350 before buying.
