RoadVitals

2012 Ford E-150

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Jul 26, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Nov 4, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Ford E-150, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), seat belts and suspension categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 21 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)317.6%
  • Seat belts211.8%
  • Suspension211.8%
  • Body & structure211.8%
  • Engine15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Other / unspecified15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
15V729000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 4, 2015
667 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)Manufacturer number 15E-068View on NHTSA.gov
14V706000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 5, 2014
34 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Cummings Mobility Conversion & SupplyManufacturer number 14E-041View on NHTSA.gov
14V641000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Oct 10, 2014
834 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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.
Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 12
BrakesExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Jul 26, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11534519
Incident
Jul 20, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 26, 2023

Is making a grinding noise and will jerk to the right. Will flash cruise control and traction control lights.

NHTSA ID
11534517
Incident
Mar 1, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 8, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11327898
Incident
Jun 5, 2020
Mileage
180,887 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 28, 2018

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, 888-722-6721) 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.

NHTSA ID
11132178
Incident
Jun 18, 2018
Mileage
56,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 26, 2017

ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, DRIVING S81 JUST BEFORE THE SALEM EXIT, THE 2012 FORD E-150 WHITE CARGO VAN 4.6L ROMEO ENGINE BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE #3 CYLINDER HEAD WHILE ACCELERATING FROM 40 MPH. THE PLANNED TRIP STARTED FROM HARRISBURG PA TO ANDREWS NC. TO WITNESS A SOLAR ECLIPSE. ENGINE FAILURE HAPPEN AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH JUST NORTH OF THE SALEM EXIT OFF 81 SOUTH. THERE WAS NO SHOP AVAILABLE TILL NEXT DAY TO REPAIR DAMAGE.. DAMAGES INCLUDED A OVERNIGHT STAY, MISSING THE SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 2017 AND REPAIR AND PARTS COST OF OVER $300.00 SPARK PLUG WAS DESTROYED. THE COIL WAS DESTROYED AND THE CYLINDER HEAD WAS RENDER USELESS. AT THIS TIME A TEMPORARY TAP WAS MADE AND HELI COIL WAS INSERTED TO HOLD A NEW SPARK PLUG IN PLACE AND CONTINUE OUR TRIP THE NEXT DAY. SINCE THEN IT BLEW AGAIN AND I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION FOR ME AND MY TOOLS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT TO CORPORATE FORD FOR REVIEW. FORD STATED THEY WILL RESPOND BY EMAIL WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 27. TO DETERMINE CULPABILITY FOR MANUFACTURING FLAW WITH INFERIOR ALUMINUM HEAD DESIGN. TOTAL DAMAGES ESTIMATE $2500 TO $4000. SINCERELY OWNER 12/22/17 SUBMITTED TO CAS & NHTSA. *TR

NHTSA ID
11056596
Incident
Aug 20, 2017
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jan 31, 2017
Crash reported

UGA

NHTSA ID
10948604
Incident
Jan 31, 2017
Mileage
355,470 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 13, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10874027
Incident
May 1, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 24, 2015
1 injury reported

MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE AND DIDN'T SEE THERE WAS SOMETHING LODGED IN THE CREVICE. THE TAILGATE POPPED OFF AND FELL ON HER KNEE. SHE IS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN. WE ARE AT THE ER. THIS IS NOT SAFE. THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER SAFER WAY TO ATTACH THE GATE. I HAVE OWNED 3 F150S AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. THANK GOD MY 6 YEAR OLD WAS OUT OF THE VECINITY. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY INJURED OR KILLED HIM AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
10730232
Incident
Jun 24, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 53040

While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

SSM 48130

VISIBILITY; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.

SSM 48123

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern. Positive battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-AA and negative battery cable clamp BT4Z-14450-BA are available for this type of repair. Do not cut or shorten the battery cable, instead carefully remove the affected battery cable clamp and clean the cable end as necessary to preserve wire length. Some rework may be necessary for some vehicle environments. Bend the new positive battery cable clamp as needed and crimp it to the existing battery cable. Make sure to use heat shrink tubing over the battery cable to battery cable clamp connection. Obtain the heat shrink tube locally.

SSM 47976

POWER TRAIN

On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify that the engine/transmission alignment dowel pins are present as well as the engine crankshaft dowel pin, if equipped, when installing the transmission. Failure to adequately lubricate the converter hub greatly increases the likelihood of the flexplate cracking in the future. Missing dowels may cause a misalignment issue also resulting in a premature failure. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023010—
2022000—
2021100—
2020000—
2019000—
2018000—
2016810—
2015810—
2014660—
2013196046.3
2012Viewing128052.9
20112313045.9
2010109054.4
20097140—
20081118049.0
20071219041.6
20061716046.5
2005164050.1
2004337153.8
2003216159.5
2002283155.1
2001374150.7
2000506153.5
1999836158.0
1998605155.7
19971026155.3
1996593161.3
1995713259.2
19941217260.5
1993714158.3
1992644364.9
1991151454.2
1990173455.5
1989312361.7
1988140248.7
1987170152.7
1986904—
1985304—
1984324—
1983111—
1982321—
1981111—
1980031—
1979051—
1978041—
1976210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.