FORD E-250 · model year

2012 FORD E-250

13 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012FORDE-250 carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 E-250 is electrical system with 2 filings, followed by power train (2) and wheels (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2012 E-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

13
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 - Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN2
WHEELS1
TIRES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ENGINE1
SEAT BELTS1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1

Recalls (11)

16V35000024/05/2016

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. Additiona

14V58400023/09/2014

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van) is recalling certain 2007-2014 Ford E-150 and E-250 vehicles manufactured February 26, 2007, to August 19, 2014, and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform s

13V26100021/06/2013

EQUIPMENT

Mobility Works is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 vehicles manufactured August 2006 through August 2012. The vehicles are equipped with certain Ricon S series and K Series wheelchair lifts with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned

15V77900020/11/2015

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

15V76300017/11/2015

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 affec

14V42600010/07/2014

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

Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford E-150 Wagons and Cargo Vans, E-250 Cargo Vans and Extended Cargo Vans, E-350 Wagons, Extended Wagons, Cargo Vans, and Extended Vans, and E-450 Cutaway models. These models were modified by Roush to be equipped wi

14V50100006/08/2014

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

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 f

14V70600005/11/2014

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 wi

15V72900004/11/2015

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 fold

14V09700004/03/2014

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE

Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, all

14V61700003/10/2014

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified by New England 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 whe

Recent Complaints

20220523SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2012 Ford E-250. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat belt was locked as the seat belt was unable to be removed from the buckle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic test or repair. The contact stated that he called a dealer however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The contact stated the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20180910FireSEAT BELTS

POSSIBLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FIRE IN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THIS VAN WAS IN BUSINESS PARKING LOT UNOCCUPIED WHEN A VEHICLE FIRE OCCURRED THAT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCK (PICTURED ATTACHED). THE HOST COMPANY ALSO HAS VIDEO FOOTAGE SHOWING THE VEHICLE ON CAMERA WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE WINDOWS TURN FROM CLEAR TO BLACK.

Mileage: 200,000

20180910FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

POSSIBLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FIRE IN UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLE. THIS VAN WAS IN BUSINESS PARKING LOT UNOCCUPIED WHEN A VEHICLE FIRE OCCURRED THAT APPEARS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCK (PICTURED ATTACHED). THE HOST COMPANY ALSO HAS VIDEO FOOTAGE SHOWING THE VEHICLE ON CAMERA WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE WINDOWS TURN FROM CLEAR TO BLACK.

Mileage: 200,000

20160620POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-250. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DOWNSHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR AND THE WHEELS SEIZED. WHEN THE CONTACT SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE SUBSIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V248000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

20150311FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEM INDICATED TO SAFELY STOP TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. TRUCK WOULD NOT RESTART. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (~60 MILES). FORD REPLACED ONE OF THE EXHAUST GAS SENSORS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. MARCH OF 2015 SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEMS INDICATED TO SAFELY STOP TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. TRUCK CONTINUED RUNNING AND DROVE THE 80 MILES BACK TO DEALERSHIP. MILEAGE AT THE DATE OF THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ~54,500. A DIFFERENT EXHAUST GAS SENSOR WAS REPLACE, NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL CONTINUE TO INDICATE RECURRING PROBLEM AND IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. CONTACTED FORD, NO RESOLUTION ON COST INCURRED OR IF THERE IS A RE-DESIGN AND REPLACEMENT OF SENSOR (S). *TR

Mileage: 49,000

20150311ENGINE

VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEM INDICATED TO SAFELY STOP TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. TRUCK WOULD NOT RESTART. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (~60 MILES). FORD REPLACED ONE OF THE EXHAUST GAS SENSORS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. MARCH OF 2015 SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES, VEHICLE WARNING SYSTEMS INDICATED TO SAFELY STOP TRUCK IMMEDIATELY. TRUCK CONTINUED RUNNING AND DROVE THE 80 MILES BACK TO DEALERSHIP. MILEAGE AT THE DATE OF THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS ~54,500. A DIFFERENT EXHAUST GAS SENSOR WAS REPLACE, NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL CONTINUE TO INDICATE RECURRING PROBLEM AND IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. CONTACTED FORD, NO RESOLUTION ON COST INCURRED OR IF THERE IS A RE-DESIGN AND REPLACEMENT OF SENSOR (S). *TR

Mileage: 49,000

20141124CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD F250 DIESEL A LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SECONDS LATER THE COMPUTER SCREEN STATED FLASHING DIFFERENT WARNINGS- THE COMPUTER CHIMED NON-STOP WITH THE ALARMS UNTIL, WITHIN 10 SECONDS FROM THIS STARTING, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE COMPUTER AND I WAS LEFT TO COAST TO A STOP. IT WAS NOT AN EASY STOP- THIS TRUCK WEIGHS 8,500 POUNDS AND WITH NO POWER IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TWO CARS APPEARED TO COLLIDED WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I COULD NOT KEEP IN THE LANE ON THE CURVE. I WOULD SURELY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD OR INJURED/KILLED OTHERS IF I WAS TOWING A LOAD ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WHEN THIS SHUT DOWN OCCURED- THIS TRUCK HAS A DIESEL AND PURPOSELY DESIGNED FOR HEAVY TOWING- 16,000 MILES ON IT AND FORD'S NEW DIESEL IS A POTENTIAL KILLER. *TR

Mileage: 16,000

20141124CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD F250 DIESEL A LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SECONDS LATER THE COMPUTER SCREEN STATED FLASHING DIFFERENT WARNINGS- THE COMPUTER CHIMED NON-STOP WITH THE ALARMS UNTIL, WITHIN 10 SECONDS FROM THIS STARTING, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE COMPUTER AND I WAS LEFT TO COAST TO A STOP. IT WAS NOT AN EASY STOP- THIS TRUCK WEIGHS 8,500 POUNDS AND WITH NO POWER IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TWO CARS APPEARED TO COLLIDED WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I COULD NOT KEEP IN THE LANE ON THE CURVE. I WOULD SURELY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD OR INJURED/KILLED OTHERS IF I WAS TOWING A LOAD ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WHEN THIS SHUT DOWN OCCURED- THIS TRUCK HAS A DIESEL AND PURPOSELY DESIGNED FOR HEAVY TOWING- 16,000 MILES ON IT AND FORD'S NEW DIESEL IS A POTENTIAL KILLER. *TR

Mileage: 16,000

20141124CrashPOWER TRAIN

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 FORD F250 DIESEL A LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL. SECONDS LATER THE COMPUTER SCREEN STATED FLASHING DIFFERENT WARNINGS- THE COMPUTER CHIMED NON-STOP WITH THE ALARMS UNTIL, WITHIN 10 SECONDS FROM THIS STARTING, THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE COMPUTER AND I WAS LEFT TO COAST TO A STOP. IT WAS NOT AN EASY STOP- THIS TRUCK WEIGHS 8,500 POUNDS AND WITH NO POWER IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TWO CARS APPEARED TO COLLIDED WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND I COULD NOT KEEP IN THE LANE ON THE CURVE. I WOULD SURELY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DEAD OR INJURED/KILLED OTHERS IF I WAS TOWING A LOAD ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAIN PASSES WHEN THIS SHUT DOWN OCCURED- THIS TRUCK HAS A DIESEL AND PURPOSELY DESIGNED FOR HEAVY TOWING- 16,000 MILES ON IT AND FORD'S NEW DIESEL IS A POTENTIAL KILLER. *TR

Mileage: 16,000

20141121ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 57,000

20140904ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

HAD 1ST EXHAUST HEAT SENSOR GO OUT LAST YEAR APPROX. 50,000 MILES. SECOND ONE ON 8/15/14 APPROX. 110,000 MILES THIRD ONE ON 9/1/14 APPROX. 113,000 MILES ALL THREE TIMES LEFT ME STRANDED ON BUSY INTERSTATE HI-WAY. HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY SO COVERED FOR PARTS AND LABOR LESS THE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE. BUT WITH OUT MY TRUCK FOR 2 TO 3 DAYS EACH TIME OVER A 40.00 PART. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

20140731WHEELS

VEHICLE HAD FOUR NEW TIRES ALL OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A BLOW OUT, REPLACED THE TIRE WITH NEW TIRE OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE. ONE WEEK LATER ANOTHER TIRE STARTED VIBRATING SO WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND THE TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM THE CARCASS. I HAD THEM PULL ALL FOUR TIRES AND REPLACE WITH NEW TIRES OF DIFFERENT BRAND. I KEPT THE FOUR TIRES AND CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS. THIS PARTICULAR TIRE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL YET BUT ANOTHER SIMILAR DOES. THE TIRES WE HAVE ARE THE HANKOOK DYNAPRO AS LT245/75R16 THE TIRE THEY HAVE RECALLED IS HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT LT325/60R18. HANKOOK SAYS THEY WILL ONLY WARRANT THE ONE TIRE SHOWING SEPARATION BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIRST ONE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION OR THE OTHER THREE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT FAILED YET. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20140731TIRES

VEHICLE HAD FOUR NEW TIRES ALL OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE ONE OF THE TIRES HAD A BLOW OUT, REPLACED THE TIRE WITH NEW TIRE OF SAME BRAND AND SIZE. ONE WEEK LATER ANOTHER TIRE STARTED VIBRATING SO WE TOOK IT IN AND THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND THE TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM THE CARCASS. I HAD THEM PULL ALL FOUR TIRES AND REPLACE WITH NEW TIRES OF DIFFERENT BRAND. I KEPT THE FOUR TIRES AND CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS. THIS PARTICULAR TIRE DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL YET BUT ANOTHER SIMILAR DOES. THE TIRES WE HAVE ARE THE HANKOOK DYNAPRO AS LT245/75R16 THE TIRE THEY HAVE RECALLED IS HANKOOK DYNAPRO MT LT325/60R18. HANKOOK SAYS THEY WILL ONLY WARRANT THE ONE TIRE SHOWING SEPARATION BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE FIRST ONE BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE IN OUR POSSESSION OR THE OTHER THREE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT FAILED YET. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

Compare 2012FORDE-250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 FORD E-250 have?
The 2012 FORD E-250 has 13 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 FORD E-250?
The 2012 FORD E-250 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 FORD E-250?
Yes, the 2012 FORD E-250 has 11 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 FORD E-250?
The most-complained component for the 2012 FORD E-250 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and WHEELS.
Is the 2012 FORD E-250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 FORD E-250 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.