2012 Ford E-350 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Ford E-350 has a Caution verdict, capped by 12 recall campaigns despite a complaint index of 45. It ranks 12th worst out of 21 model years, with engine and transmission complaints tied as the top problem areas at 25% each.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 E-350 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 16
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 12.5
- 10.5 city / 14.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Ford E-350 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (25%)
- Other3 (19%)
- Brakes2 (13%)
- Electrical System2 (13%)
- Fuel System2 (13%)
- Steering2 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine dies or stalls suddenly while turning or driving around 35 to 40 mph, sometimes tied to a bad fuel pump.
- Vehicle loses power and shuts off without warning at highway speed, requiring a restart.
- Transmission planetary gears fail, with one owner linking the issue to a recall for vans built at the Ohio plant in 2011 and 2012.
- Vehicle drifts to the right on its own at highway speed, with a dealer unable to fix it by adding weight.
- Original tires separate with three of four failing before 20,000 miles.
- High beam headlights suddenly stop working with no warning.
2012 Ford E-350 recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V350000May 24, 2016Other2 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 15V779000Nov 20, 2015Other278 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
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: 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.
- NHTSA 15V763000Nov 17, 2015Other285 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
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. 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.
2012 Ford E-350 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 10.5 MPG
- Highway
- 14.5 MPG
- Combined
- 12.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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-350 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Ford E-350 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 E-350 carries a Caution verdict. It has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 12th worst among the 21 model years with data, with engine and transmission problems most common.
- Why is the 2012 Ford E-350 rated Caution instead of by its complaint index alone?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit for this year, which caps the verdict at Caution even though the complaint index of 45 is not the worst among E-350 years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2012 Ford E-350?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine and Transmission & Powertrain problems tied as the top areas, each accounting for 25% of complaints, followed by Brakes, Electrical System, Fuel System, Steering, and Suspension at 13% each.
- Does the 2012 Ford E-350 have a transmission recall?
- Owner complaints reference a recall for planetary gear defects tied to vans built at the Ohio plant in 2011 and 2012, though one owner reported their VIN was not included in that campaign. NHTSA also lists 12 separate recall campaigns for this year, mostly involving wheelchair lift equipment.
- What year Ford E-350 should I avoid instead of 2012?
- Among E-350 years, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2021, and 2022 carry Avoid verdicts with higher complaint indexes (85, 100, 95, 75, 90, and 80) than the 2012 model's 45.