FaultScore

FaultScore report

2012 Ford E-150 problems

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2012 Ford E-150 with NHTSA between 2012 and 2023. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 23 worst.

C

FaultScore 52/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford E-150.

How this is worked out

The numbers

19

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

60,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

38%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 18 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 66 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Ford E-150. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 66
38% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2012 compares with every other Ford E-150

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2012 Ford E-150

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 15.8%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 10.5%

Median failure at 1,500 miles

Seat Belts 2 10.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 355,470 mi

Suspension 2 10.5%

Median failure at 2,601 miles

Body & Structure 2 10.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 207,735 mi

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 1 5.3%
Wheels 1 5.3%

Median failure at 5,142 miles

Tires 1 5.3%
Lights 1 5.3%
Brakes 1 5.3%
Steering 1 5.3%

Median failure at 5,142 miles

Electrical System 1 5.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 355,470 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 5.3%

Median failure at 125,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 7.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 30.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 15.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 15.4%
150,000+ miles 4 30.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 2012 peak 5 Jul 2023

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 355,470 miles Dammam, NY Crash

SEAT BELTS

UGA

NHTSA complaint #10948604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 355,470 miles Dammam, NY Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

UGA

NHTSA complaint #10948604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 355,470 miles Dammam, NY Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UGA

NHTSA complaint #10948604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Floresville, TX 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 complaint #10730232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Hesperia, CA

SEAT BELTS

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 complaint #11534519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hesperia, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

NHTSA complaint #11534517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hesperia, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 complaint #11534519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hesperia, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

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 complaint #11534519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hesperia, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

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

NHTSA complaint #11534517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,887 miles Severn, MD

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11327898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Maple Shade, NJ

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #11132178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Enola, PA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11056596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 355,470 miles Dammam, NY Crash

SEAT BELTS

UGA

NHTSA complaint #10948604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 355,470 miles Dammam, NY Crash

STRUCTURE:BODY

UGA

NHTSA complaint #10948604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 355,470 miles Dammam, NY Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UGA

NHTSA complaint #10948604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Pleasanton, CA

POWER TRAIN

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 complaint #10874027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Floresville, TX 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

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 complaint #10730232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Croydon, PA

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD ECONOLINE E150. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13T012000 (TIRES). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE HIM AWARE THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE THE TIRES AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10611061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,142 miles Santa FE Springs, CA

WHEELS

DRIVING THIS VAN IS VERY DIFFICULT, IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE ,WHEN YOU PASS BIG TRUCKS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ,THE VACUUM SUCKS IT UP ,AND IT GETS MORE UNCONTROLLABLE,CAUSING A MINOR FISH TALE. OF COURSE FORD CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG .M---KS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM..DO NOT DRIVE THIS VAN IF IS AT ALL WINDY,COULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE . THE WANDERING IN THE STEERING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE .I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VAN FOR ANYONE. OR ANY BUSINESS.

NHTSA complaint #10524465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,142 miles Santa FE Springs, CA

STEERING

DRIVING THIS VAN IS VERY DIFFICULT, IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE ,WHEN YOU PASS BIG TRUCKS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ,THE VACUUM SUCKS IT UP ,AND IT GETS MORE UNCONTROLLABLE,CAUSING A MINOR FISH TALE. OF COURSE FORD CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG .M---KS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM..DO NOT DRIVE THIS VAN IF IS AT ALL WINDY,COULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE . THE WANDERING IN THE STEERING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE .I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VAN FOR ANYONE. OR ANY BUSINESS.

NHTSA complaint #10524465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,142 miles Santa FE Springs, CA

SUSPENSION

DRIVING THIS VAN IS VERY DIFFICULT, IT WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE ,WHEN YOU PASS BIG TRUCKS GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ,THE VACUUM SUCKS IT UP ,AND IT GETS MORE UNCONTROLLABLE,CAUSING A MINOR FISH TALE. OF COURSE FORD CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG .M---KS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM..DO NOT DRIVE THIS VAN IF IS AT ALL WINDY,COULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNSAFE . THE WANDERING IN THE STEERING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE .I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VAN FOR ANYONE. OR ANY BUSINESS.

NHTSA complaint #10524465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Windsor, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 12-15 TIMES. AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON AND PUT INTO DRIVE, IT STARTS TO BUCK/HESITATE LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING GAS. SOMETIMES THIS IS VIOLENT AND OTHER TIMES SOFT. IT IS NOT BAD GAS. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO FOR 6-7 WEEKS WITHOUT DOING IT AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAPPEN TWO DAYS IN A ROW. DEALER WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX IT BECAUSE AFTER KEEPING IT OVER NIGHT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. IF THEY ORDER A PART AND IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FORD WILL NOT RE-IMBURSE DEALER SO I AM SUPPOSE TO RISK MY LIFE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITH A TRUCK THAT MIGHT NOT MAKE IT. TRUCK HAS 4500 MILES . BOUGHT NEW AT END OF OCTOBER 2012. THERE IS NO READ OUT ON THE COMPUTER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. LOVE THE TRUCK BUT NOT THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10498574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60 miles East Peoria, IL

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE TRACKS DOWN ROAD SIDEWAYS BY 6 INCHES. THIS WILL CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND STEERING PROBLEMS. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND FORD CUSTOMER CARE HAS NOT RETURNED CALLS SINCE INITIAL CONTACT.

NHTSA complaint #10484095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.