VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2012 Ford E-150 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

19

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other E-150 years?

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford E-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission316%
Seat Belts211%
Other211%
Body & Structure211%
Suspension211%
Tires & Wheels211%
Brakes15%
Steering15%
Electrical System15%
Engine15%
Lighting15%
Driver Assistance15%

Does the 2012 Ford E-150 have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V729000OtherNovember 4, 2015 · 667 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the bearings move out of position, the stowed platform may have excessive movement resulting in failure of the platform mounting. This failure could cause the wheel chair lift platform to fall out of the vehicle when the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.

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.

14V706000OtherNovember 5, 2014 · 34 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

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.

14V641000OtherOctober 10, 2014 · 834 units

Defect

Mobility Works (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E150, E250, and E350 vans modified by Mobility Works to be 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.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy

Mobility Works will notify owners, and Ricon will supply supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mobility Works customer service at 1-800-769-8267 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

14V584000OtherSeptember 23, 2014 · 45 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

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.

14V501000Fuel SystemAugust 6, 2014 · 28 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

14V426000Fuel SystemJuly 10, 2014 · 36 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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.

14V097000Fuel SystemMarch 4, 2014 · 343 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the cylinder dislodges, a CNG leak may result, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

13V261000OtherJune 21, 2013 · 37 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and, if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, a short circuit may occur that could result in a fire.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 5, 2020

THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 12-15 TIMES. AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON AND PUT INTO DRIVE, IT STARTS TO BUCK/HESITATE LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING GAS. SOMETIMES THIS IS VIOLENT AND OTHER TIMES SOFT. IT IS NOT BAD GAS. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO FOR 6-7 WEEKS WITHOUT DOING IT AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAPPEN TWO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 1, 2011

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 22, 2012

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 16, 2014

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 20, 2023

2012 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford E-150 reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (3 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), suspension (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.