2012 Ford E-150 Problems & Complaints

Better than average43% fewer complaints than a typical year of the E-150 at the same age

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2012 Ford E-150 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 43% fewer than a typical E-150 model year at the same age, making the 2012 one of the better E-150 years. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain (3 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles). 7 recalls cover this model year.

12complaints
7recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most common 2012 Ford E-150 problems

  • Transmission & drivetrain~105,000 miles
    325%
  • Suspension~5,000 miles
    217%
  • Other / not specified~2,000 miles
    217%
  • Wheels & tires~5,000 miles
    217%
  • Body & structure~355,000 miles
    217%
  • Seat belts~355,000 miles
    217%
  • Steering~5,000 miles
    18%
  • Electrical system~355,000 miles
    18%
  • Engine & cooling~125,000 miles
    18%
  • Driver assistance
    18%
  • Lights
    18%
  • Brakes
    18%

Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Ford E-150 complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’1671591026083503728213316161211710231219688
Owner complaints per model year, Ford E-150. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best E-150 years: 2009, 2014, 2015. Years to avoid: 2001, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1996. Compare all years →

2012 Ford E-150 recalls (7)

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 15V-729 · Nov 4, 2015 · 667 vehicles

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.

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.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 14V-706 · Nov 5, 2014 · 34 vehicles

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,…

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.

Equipment adaptive/mobility

NHTSA recall 14V-584 · Sep 23, 2014 · 45 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 14V-501 · Aug 6, 2014 · 28 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, other › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 14V-426 · Jul 10, 2014 · 36 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, other › Storage

NHTSA recall 14V-097 · Mar 4, 2014 · 343 vehicles

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).

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.

Show 1 more recall

Equipment

NHTSA recall 13V-261 · Jun 21, 2013 · 37 vehicles

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.

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.

What 2012 Ford E-150 owners say

Transmission & drivetrain

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford e-150. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle independently downshifted into first gear and the wheels seized. The vehicle stalled immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the speed sensor and the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was related to Ford recall number: 16s19. After repairs were made, a recall for the power train was issued. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

105,000 miles · May 2016

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, [phone]) 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.

56,000 miles · Jun 2018

2012 Ford E-150 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automaticRWD13 / 17 / 15
5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automaticRWD12 / 16 / 14

EPA ratings. Class: Van.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Ford E-150 a good car?

Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 E-150 rates better than average: 43% fewer complaints than a typical year of the E-150 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Ford E-150?

The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the suspension (2) and wheels & tires (2).

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford E-150 have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2012 Ford E-150, the most recent from November 4, 2015 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-150?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2014 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 1997, 1999, 1995 and 1996. See the full Ford E-150 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2012 Ford E-150 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.