Recall 13V380 affects 37 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks for tailpipe heat buildup. Free repair at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 37 2012 F-350, F-450, and F-550 gasoline dual rear wheel chassis vehicles because the exhaust tailpipe does not extend beyond the body edge, letting heat build up in the rear curbside storage compartment. That heat creates a fire risk, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The tailpipe on the 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 is the last section of the exhaust system. Its job is to carry hot exhaust gases away from the engine and release them past the outside edge of the body. On these dual rear wheel chassis vehicles, that outlet position matters because the body and storage areas sit close to the exhaust path.
On affected trucks, the tailpipe does not extend far enough beyond the body. Instead of moving heat fully outside the vehicle, the exhaust outlet leaves heat near the rear curbside storage compartment. That compartment can heat up during operation because the hot exhaust is ending too close to the body edge.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is about tailpipe placement under the body, so an owner should not expect a dashboard alert or a clear change in how the truck drives before the rear curbside compartment overheats.
Who's affected?
Covers three Super Duty truck classes from the same model year, all tied to the exhaust manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe component.
| 2012 Ford F-350 | Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ford F-450 | Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe |
| 2012 Ford F-550 | Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe |
| Units affected | 37 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Excessive heat buildup in the rear compartment creates a fire risk. This recall involves the exhaust outlet area, so schedule the repair soon and use the truck with caution until the tailpipe extension is installed. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, or F-550 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to ask about the free tailpipe-extension repair that moves exhaust heat away from the rear storage compartment.
- Bring the owner notice if you received one. If not, reference recall number 13V380 when you call.
- Avoid storing heat-sensitive items in the rear curbside compartment until the tailpipe-extension repair is complete.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-502-426-5210 with questions about the recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician installs tailpipe extensions so the exhaust outlet reaches beyond the vehicle body instead of ending near the rear curbside storage compartment. The notice says owners have been notified and the recall has begun. If the repair is not open in the dealer system when you call, the dealer repair will still be free once available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| July 24, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| August 23, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V380?
Recall 13V380 covers 37 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 gasoline dual-rear-wheel chassis vehicles with an exhaust tailpipe that does not extend beyond the body edge. Heat can build up in the rear curbside storage compartment and result in fire. Ford dealers will install tailpipe extensions for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, or F-550 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V380. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the tailpipe-extension repair. Reference recall number 13V380 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and the remedy for recall 13V380 is a free tailpipe-extension installation. Parts and labor are covered at the dealer for included 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V380?
The safety risk is fire. NHTSA campaign 13V380 states that excessive heat buildup in the rear compartment can result in fire. Until your included truck is repaired, keep heat or cargo concerns in mind and arrange the free tailpipe-extension repair with a Ford dealer.
What if I bought this Ford truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or purchase history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Ford F-350, F-450, or F-550 is included, then reference recall number 13V380 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V380000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-502-426-5210 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V380 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V380000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →