RoadVitals

2012 Ford E-450

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.
4
Latest Oct 24, 2022
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.
4
Latest Feb 25, 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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Ford E-450, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 19 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

  • Other / unspecified240.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

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

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Feb 25, 2015
117 units potentially affected
The defect: Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with 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: Farber 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 March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Farber Specialty VehiclesManufacturer number 14E-041View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 24, 2014
437 units potentially affected
The 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.
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: 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.
Elkhart CoachView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Aug 6, 2014
28 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Adrian Steel CompanyView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Forest River Sunseeker built on a 2012 Ford E-450 chassis, equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: LTX MS2, Tire Size: LT225/75/R16. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal vibration in the front end. The contact became aware that the driver’s side front tire belt was going through the side wall. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed another tire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The tire failure mileage was approximately 13,000. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11490651
Incident
Oct 23, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 4, 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE MOTOR BLOCK BLEW. THERE WAS A LOUD, FAST CLICKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY CLUNKING AND SMOKE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. ALL FLUIDS WERE GOOD BUT THERE WAS A FEW DROPS OF OIL ON THE GROUND. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT HE HAS PREVIOUSLY SEEN. THE VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED AND THOROUGHLY CHECKED BEFORE THE ROAD TRIP.

NHTSA ID
11377864
Incident
Dec 1, 2020
Mileage
23,337 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 22, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR LUG NUT LOOSENED CAUSING THE WHEEL HUB TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WRONG TYPE OF WHEEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ALUMINUM WHEEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED STEEL WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE SPECS CALLED FOR A HUB CENTRIC WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN RV CENTER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE INCORRECT WHEEL BEING INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE WRONG STYLE WHEEL WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,600. *LN*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11340859
Incident
Jun 29, 2020
Mileage
16,600 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-450 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE WHEEL SIMULATORS SEVERING THE VALVE STEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567599
Incident
Mar 6, 2014

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-450 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010
2026210
2025200
2024400
2023230
2022133150.0
2021276150.2
2020000
2019500
2018540
2017112141.8
2016174060.0
2015611
2014530
2013122037.4
2012Viewing440
20117100
2010570
20092100
2008681
20071211163.3
20062012162.1
2005347157.4
2004276154.8
2003185154.1
2002133252.2
2001162346.4
2000423356.7
1999732354.5
1998522
1997182246.7
1996121
1995010
1994010
1993410
1992010

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.