2012 Ford E-150: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Passenger seat belt stopped working out of the blue. I've had tire sensor thing on my dash since I've bought it an I'm not sure what is happening. The horn stopped working recently. And the overhead dome light doesn't work.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2023
“Was driving vehicle felt jerking and heard grinding noise. Pulled off highway into parking lot. Check could not find anything wrong. Tried to back up vehicle jerk very badlywouldnotback-up. Vehiclewoulddriveforward. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford e-150. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shifted into first and second gears, but could not shift out of second gear. The contact stated that an unknown warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to holman ford lincoln maple shade (571 nj-38, maple shade township, nj 08052, 888-722-6721) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls and the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2018
Show 4 more owner reports
“My 11 year old daughter was attempting to close the tailgate and didn't see there was something lodged in the crevice. The tailgate popped off and fell on her knee. She is in excruciating pain. We are at the er. This is not safe. There has to be a better safer way to attach the gate. I have owned 3 f150s and have never had this issue. Thank god my 6 year old was out of the vecinity. This could have easily injured or killed him as well.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford econoline e150. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13t012000 (tires). The dealer was contacted and made him aware that the manufacturer did not have the tires available for replacement. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2014
“Driving this van is very difficult, it will not hold a straight line ,when you pass big trucks going approximately 65 mph ,the vacuum sucks it up ,and it gets more uncontrollable,causing a minor fish tale. Of course ford checked it out and found nothing wrong .m---ks could not duplicate the problem..do not drive this van if is at all windy,could become uncontrollable and unsafe . The wandering in the steering is not acceptable .I would not recommend this van for anyone. Or any business. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2013
“Vehicle tracks down road sideways by 6 inches. This will cause premature tire wear and steering problems. Local dealership said there was not a problem with the vehicle and ford customer care has not returned calls since initial contact. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: National Van will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2014. Owners may contact National Van customer service at 1-800-527-7477. National Van's number for this recall is Ricon2014.
MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.
Remedy: Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may contact Landi Renzo USA at 1-855-526-3400.
Mobility Works is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 vehicles manufactured August 2006 through August 2012. The vehicles are equipped with certain Ricon S series and K Series wheelchair lifts with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.
Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners and Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. This recall campaign is expected to begin July 15, 2013. Owners may contact Mobility Works at 1-877-275-4912 and Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford E-150 Wagons and Cargo Vans, E-250 Cargo Vans and Extended Cargo Vans, E-350 Wagons, Extended Wagons, Cargo Vans, and Extended Vans, and E-450 Cutaway models. These models were modified by Roush to be equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits manufactured January 2011 to August 2012 with an aluminum fuel line fitting. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected kits may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.
Remedy: Roush will notify owners and will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with new stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2014. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874.
Adrian Steel Company (Adrian) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 Commercial Cargo Vans modified by Adrian between September 21, 2012, to September 24, 2012. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits with an aluminum fuel line fitting manufactured by Roush CleanTech. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected kits may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.
Remedy: Adrian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began during July 2014. Owners may contact Adrian customer service at 1-800-677-2726.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-150 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Ford E-150 reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Ford E-150. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2012 Ford E-150 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.