Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Ford E-350 problems
Owners filed 16 complaints about the 2012 Ford E-350 with NHTSA between Jan 2013 and Aug 2023. The most-cited component is power train (4).
Complaints
16
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train4
- Engine3
- Wheels2
- Steering2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Exterior lighting1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Service brakes1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Electrical system1
- Equipment1
- Equipment adaptive/mobility1
- Other / unknown2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
3
2
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Power train
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford E-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, after a traffic stop, the transmission was slipping out of gear and would shift to a higher gear very rough. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence and turned off and restarted and shifted into reverse(R) however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was shifted into (D) and operated as needed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19S20 - Transmission Coast Clutch Cylinder and One-Way Clutch Replacement (Power Train). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Engine
3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER BROTHER WHO OWNS A 2012 FORD E-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR A ROUTINE CHECK AT (SAYVILLE FORD 5686 SUNRISE HWY, SAYVILLE, NY 11782 (855) 561-1191), IT WAS DISCOVERED AND THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS HOWEVER NO LEAKS EVIDENT WHILE PERFORMING THE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,940.”
Wheels
2 reports
“THREE OUT OF THE FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES HAVE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES. ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED AND INFLATED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS.”
Steering
2 reports
“WHILE MAKING A 40MPH TURN AT NIGHT THE ENGINE DIED. LOST STEERING AND BRAKE BOOST. ALMOST LOST THE VEHICLE BEFORE COMPLETING A STOP. TRIED FOR FIVE MINUTES TO RESTART. DIAGNOSED AS A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED. SITUATION RE-OCCURED AND THE VEHICLE REMAINS AT THE FORD DEALER.”
Fuel/propulsion system
2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD E-350. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL WAS BAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.”
Exterior lighting
1 report
“SUDDEN LOSS OF HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS ..FIRST OCCURRED WHILE MOVING ,,,HIGH BEAMS HAVE PERMANENTLY STOPPED WORKING SINCE THE INCIDENT.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.