2012 Ford E-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Ford E-150 has a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 69, ranking 5th worst out of 14 model years. NHTSA lists 12 complaints, 8 recalls, and no crashes tied to the top problem area, suspension, wheels & tires.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 69/100
- #5 of 14 E-150 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12.5 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2012 Ford E-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (25%)
- Electrical System2 (17%)
- Other2 (17%)
- Seat Belts2 (17%)
- Structure & Body2 (17%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (8%)
- Steering1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the van tracks or drifts sideways on the road, causing steering difficulty and premature tire wear.
- Some describe the vehicle fishtailing or feeling uncontrollable at highway speed, especially when passing trucks or in wind.
- Multiple owners report the transmission downshifting unexpectedly or getting stuck in a gear, in one case at 105,000 miles causing the wheels to seize.
- One owner reported the engine blew a spark plug out of the cylinder head while accelerating at 40 mph, at 125,000 miles on the 4.6L engine.
- A tailgate reportedly popped off and fell on a person's leg at 60,000 miles.
- One owner reported the seat belt, tire sensor, horn, and dome light all stopped working at different times.
2012 Ford E-150 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V729000Nov 4, 2015Other667 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V706000Nov 5, 2014Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V641000Oct 10, 2014Other834 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 Ford E-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12.5 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other E-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford E-150 reliable?
- NHTSA data give the 2012 E-150 a complaint index of 69 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst among the 14 model years with data. It has fewer complaints (12) than several other years but carries 8 recall campaigns.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford E-150?
- NHTSA complaints point to suspension, wheels & tires and transmission & powertrain issues, each accounting for 25% of complaints. Electrical system, seat belts, and structure & body issues each make up 17%.
- Does the 2012 Ford E-150 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2012 E-150, mostly involving aftermarket modifications like wheelchair lifts and CNG conversions, plus fuel line fitting replacements. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 E-150 compare to other model years?
- The 2012 E-150's complaint index of 69 is worse than 2014, 2015, and 2016, which are rated Best with indexes of 8, 15, and 23. It is better than 2010, 2011, and 2013, which are rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Ford E-150?
- EPA rates the 2012 E-150 at 14 mpg combined (12.5 city, 16 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,650.