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Ford E-250Model year report

2012 Ford E-250 Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
53,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
12campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Ford E-250 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford E-250. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 53,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns and 24 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

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, filed 2014-09, 50,000 miles

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, filed 2018-09, 200,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10660701, filed 2014-11, 16,000 miles

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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10693668, filed 2015-03, 49,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,000 and 80,000 miles.

0%0–1013%10–2525%25–5025%50–7513%75–10013%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 53,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201442015201620182022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Ford E-250 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E250 Van FFV RWD4.6L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic131715$4,450
E250 Van FFV RWD5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic121614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 12 recalls for the 2012 Ford E-250 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 24 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 24 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford E-250

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2014759,83011—15—Not enough data
20131140,00011—15—Not enough data
2012853,50012—15—Not enough data
2011627,74616—15—Not enough data
2010981,42711———Not enough data
2008676,00021———Not enough data
2007621,50026———Not enough data
2006125,60029———Not enough data
20051157,3009—15—Not enough data
2004889,50016—15—Not enough data
20031750,1037—14—Stable
20021740,0005—14—Falling
200118120,0003—14—Stable
20001843,5195—14—Stable
19993159,5556—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19981692,3005—13—Stable
19972498,5004—14—Stable
19962094,5003—12—Stable
199515115,0003—12—Stable
19941190,0123—12—Not enough data
19937162,7923—13—Not enough data
19921425,0003—13—Not enough data
19918150,0001—13—Not enough data
1989741,0002—13—Not enough data

All Ford E-250 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Ford E-250 have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2012 Ford E-250 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Ford E-250 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.

Has the 2012 Ford E-250 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford E-250 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Ford E-250 (E250 Van FFV, 4.6L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Ford E-250 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 53,500 miles and the middle half falls between 49,000 and 80,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.