VehicleVerdict

2012 Ford E-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2012 Ford E-350 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 12 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

12

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other E-350 years?

See all E-350 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Ford E-350 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission418%
Other418%
Engine314%
Steering29%
Tires & Wheels29%
Brakes29%
Fuel System29%
Electrical System15%
Lighting15%
Speed Control15%

Does the 2012 Ford E-350 have recalls?

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

16V350000OtherMay 24, 2016 · 2 units

Defect

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the 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 platform side plates crack or the platform mounting fails from out-of-position bearings, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the vehicle's doors are opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

New England 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 June 29, 2016. Owners may contact New England customer service at 1-800-886-9247. New England's number for this recall is 16E-020.

15V779000OtherNovember 20, 2015 · 278 units

Defect

New England Wheels is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 cargo vans modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the 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

New England Wheels 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 January 5, 2016. Owners may contact New England Wheels customer service at 1-800-866-9247, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. New England Wheels' number for this recall is 15E-068. Note: These vans 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.

15V763000OtherNovember 17, 2015 · 285 units

Defect

Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified 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. Additionally, 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 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. Additionally, 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

Mobility Specialists will notify owners to take their vehicles 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 November 13, 2015. Owners may contact Mobility Specialists customer service at 1-877-777-5438, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.

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.

14V617000OtherOctober 3, 2014 · 286 units

Defect

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified by New England 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

New England will notify owners to take vehicles 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 November 17, 2014. Owners may contact New England customer service at 1-800-886-9247 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. New England's number for this recall is 14E-041.

14V595000OtherSeptember 24, 2014 · 437 units

Defect

Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-350 and Ford E-450 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to May 1, 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

Elkhart will notify owners to take the vehicles 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 1, 2014. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Owners may also contact Elkhart customer service at 1-574-264-5179. This recall has been superseded by campaign 15V-768.

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.

THE PLANETARY GEARS IN OUR TRANSMISSION HAVE FAILED. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A FORD RECALL SPECIFICALLY FOR VANS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN OHIO PLANT DURING 2011 AND 2012 BECAUSE OF DEFECTS IN THE PLANETARY GEARS WHICH CAUSE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CASE, BUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 15, 2017

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, STARTED SMELLING GAS, SO I PULLED OVER THE CHECK WHY I SMELLED GAS AND AS SOON ASI OPENS THE HOOD, THE VAN BURST INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT FULLY ENGULFED THE VAN IN ABOUT 3 TO 4 MINUTES AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVING FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 6, 2018 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS BAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 11, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME AND ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 22, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS BAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 11, 2014

2012 Ford E-350 — common questions

Is the 2012 Ford E-350 reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 12 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2012 E-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (4 complaints), other (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2012 Ford E-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Ford E-350. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford E-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-350 years to avoid are 1997, 1995, 2005, 1999, 2006, 1998, 2004, 2000, 2002, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2001, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1989, 2013, 2021. The cleanest record among E-350 years belongs to 2027.

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.