EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
2012 Ford E-450
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 2 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 4 |
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.govEQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 50.0 |
| 2021 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 50.2 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 41.8 |
| 2016 | 17 | 4 | 0 | 60.0 |
| 2015 | 6 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2014 | 5 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 37.4 |
| 2012Viewing | 4 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 7 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 5 | 7 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 2 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 6 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 2007 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 63.3 |
| 2006 | 20 | 12 | 1 | 62.1 |
| 2005 | 34 | 7 | 1 | 57.4 |
| 2004 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 54.8 |
| 2003 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 54.1 |
| 2002 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 52.2 |
| 2001 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 46.4 |
| 2000 | 42 | 3 | 3 | 56.7 |
| 1999 | 73 | 2 | 3 | 54.5 |
| 1998 | 5 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1997 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 46.7 |
| 1996 | 1 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.