The Lemon Index
201120134th generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: wheels
19 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Chevrolet Express 112012 Ford Transit Connect 39
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V350000 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 15V779000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and 15V763000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 26 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Vibration buzz noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 19 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 60K miles (8K to 97K km) on the car (16 of all 19 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 26 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vibration buzz noise
- This SKU is a front upper ball joint
- For Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2016
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 …
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2015
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 …
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2015
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Show all 12 recalls
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2015
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 …
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2014
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.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2014
A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Fuel system, other · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.
- Equipment · recall issued 2013
The vehicles are equipped with certain Ricon S series and K Series wheelchair lifts with an optional armored pendant cable.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford E-350 P12 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ford E-350 P15 VAN RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★☆☆☆ |
Every Ford E-Series year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-e-series/?y=2012" title="Ford E-Series reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="698" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-e-series/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Ford E-Series reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Ford E-Series reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 14; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford E-Series year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2012 Ford E-Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wheels (21%), steering (16%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford E-Series have?
12 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2012 Ford E-Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
What Ford E-Series year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works