Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2012 Ford E-250 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2022.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 17 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 32
Against the median year of the Ford E-250. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
38.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 39
23% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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-250
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Seat Belts
215.4%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 140,000 mi
Electrical System
215.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 33,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
215.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,500 mi
Engine & Cooling
215.4%
Median failure at 53,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 200,000 mi
Wheels
17.7%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Tires
17.7%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
17.7%
Median failure at 49,000 miles
Body & Structure
17.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 16,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
323.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
430.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
215.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
17.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.7%
150,000+ miles
215.4%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2012 Ford E-250 VAN RWD
—
—
—
—
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.
Jul 2014peak 4May 2022
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 200,000 milesMinneapolis, MNFire
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #11128517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMinneapolis, MNFire
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11128517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesAurora, COCrash
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10660701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesAurora, COCrash
STRUCTURE: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.
NHTSA complaint #10660701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesAurora, COCrash
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10660701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesSanta Monica, CA
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #11465755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMinneapolis, MNFire
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #11128517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesMinneapolis, MNFire
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #11128517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSpringboro, OH
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10875395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
ENGINE
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).
NHTSA complaint #10693668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesAlbuquerque, NM
FUEL/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).
NHTSA complaint #10693668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesAurora, COCrash
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10660701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesAurora, COCrash
STRUCTURE: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.
NHTSA complaint #10660701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesAurora, COCrash
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10660701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,000 milesSpringhope, NC
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10660112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesGeorgetown, TX
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10630825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesCorpus Christi, TX
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10617968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesCorpus Christi, TX
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10617968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.