2012 Ford E-350 problems
The Ford E-Series (also known as the Ford Econoline, Ford Econovan or Ford Club Wagon) is a range of full-size vans manufactured and marketed by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced for 1961 as the replacement of the Ford F-Series panel van, four generations of the model line have been produced. Marketed for both cargo and passenger transport configurations, the E-Series has been designed with multiple design variations for both retail and commercial sale, including vans, and commercial-grade cutaway van chassis and stripped chassis (a chassis without bodywork).
With over 8.2 million units sold since 1961, the Ford E-Series is the third-best selling van line in history (outranked only by the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Transporter). Ford retired the E-Series passenger and cargo vans after 2014, replacing them with the Ford Transit. As of current production, the E-Series remains offered exclusively in cutaway and stripped-chassis configurations. In 2021, the model line entered its 60th year of production (becoming the second current Ford line to do so).
The E-Series (cutaway/stripped chassis) is assembled by Ford at its Ohio Assembly facility (Avon Lake, Ohio), which has produced the model line since 1975. Prior to its closure, Lorain Assembly (Lorain, Ohio) assembled the model line from 1961 to 2005.
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Common 2012 Ford E-350 problems
The 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty is a popular choice for those who need a reliable and sturdy workhorse. However, like any vehicle, it's not without its issues. Here are some of the most common problems reported by owners of this car.
- Rear Heater Core Leak: Another common problem reported by owners of the 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty is a rear heater core leak. This issue can be identified by wet carpet, disconnected or purposely plugged coolant lines, and a lack of rear heat. While it may not be necessary to repair the heater core, it can be a PITA to get to and the flap that breaks is expensive to purchase. A workaround is to bypass the original and tuck another one under the dashboard in the passenger footwell.
- Rear AC Blend Door Failure: The rear AC blend door failure is another common problem reported by owners of the 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty. This issue can cause rear air to come from floor vents even when set to cooling. It can be a PITA to get to and the flap that breaks is expensive to purchase. A workaround is to wedge it to only blow cold air and only through the roof vents.
- Loose/Sloppy Steering at Speed: Owners of the 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty have also reported loose or sloppy steering at speed. This issue can be caused by ball joints that are not sound or a lack of lubrication. Replacing one ball joint can cost around $250, while replacing both is about $550.
- Loud Popping Noise and Misfire: Owners of the 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty have reported a loud popping noise and misfire, which can be caused by a spark plug that has been dislodged from the cylinder head. If the vehicle is still under warranty, it is recommended that the cylinder head be replaced. If it is not under warranty, using “Lock-N-Stitch” aluminum inserts to replace threads in the cylinder can start around $500.
These are just some of the most common problems reported by owners of the 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty. It's important to note that these issues are not necessarily indicative of a flawed design or poor quality, but rather the inevitable wear and tear that comes with using any vehicle. By staying on top of routine maintenance and addressing issues as they arise, owners of the 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty can ensure that their vehicle remains a reliable and sturdy workhorse for years to come.
How reliable are Ford E-350?
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Ford E-350 an overall reliability rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks Ford E-350 21st out of 24 among Commercial Vans.
What engine is in a Ford E-350?
Powertrain
| Engine | Configuration | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Triton V8 | 5.4 L (330 cu in) SOHC 2V V8 | E-150, E-250, E-350 E-450 (2008–2016) |
| Ford Triton V10 | 6.8 L (413 cu in) SOHC 2V V10 | E-350, E-450, E-550 |
| Ford Boss V8 | 6.2 L (379 cu in) SOHC 2V V8 | E-350, E-450 |
| Ford Godzilla V8 | 7.3 L (445 cu in) OHV 2V V8 | E-350, E-450 |
What was the last year the Ford E-350 was made?
2014
The purchase price of a used 2014 E-350 super duty can vary anywhere between $7848 and $22,944, and the EPA fuel rating comes in at a combined 13 miles per gallon. This is the last year for the E-350 super duty, as it was discontinued in 2014.
How much can a Ford E-350 box truck tow?
Ford E-350 Towing & Performance
When properly equipped, this allows the E-350 to tow up to 10,000 pounds. Plus, with its paired Ford TorqShift® 6-speed automatic transmission, you'll receive a tow/haul mode.
What engine is in a Ford E-350?
Powertrain
| Engine | Configuration | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Triton V8 | 5.4 L (330 cu in) SOHC 2V V8 | E-150, E-250, E-350 E-450 (2008–2016) |
| Ford Triton V10 | 6.8 L (413 cu in) SOHC 2V V10 | E-350, E-450, E-550 |
| Ford Boss V8 | 6.2 L (379 cu in) SOHC 2V V8 | E-350, E-450 |
| Ford Godzilla V8 | 7.3 L (445 cu in) OHV 2V V8 | E-350, E-450 |
How reliable are Ford E-350?
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Ford E-350 an overall reliability rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks Ford E-350 21st out of 24 among Commercial Vans.
What is the check engine light on a 2012 Ford E-350?
2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty Check Engine Light Flashing
Other mainly common reasons for a Check Engine Light are dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, damaged oxygen sensor, broken emissions control part, broken head gasket, or damaged spark plugs to name a few.
How many miles will a Ford E-350 last?
If the vehicle has been maintained properly, there's no reason* why it won't last another 100,000 miles or more. 113,000 miles isn't unreasonable for a nine-year-old car. If your mechanic says it's in good shape, it's probably got plenty of mileage left in it.
2012 Ford E-350 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Ford E-350.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2012 Ford E-350 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 11 recalls for different components of the 2012 Ford E-350.
- Manufacturer: New England Wheels
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, E-350, and 2015 Ford Transit vans equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts by Ricon. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
- Consequence: 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 opened, the platform may fall onto the lift operator, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: New England will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2016. Owners may contact New England customer service at 1-800-886-9247. New England's number for this recall is 16E-020.
- Manufacturer: New England Wheels
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: New England Wheels is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 cargo vans modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts built by the Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
- Consequence: 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 the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
- Remedy: New England Wheels will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact New England Wheels customer service at 1-800-866-9247, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. New England Wheels' number for this recall is 15E-068. Note: These vans and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
- Manufacturer: Mobility Specialists, Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: Mobility Specialists, Inc. (Mobility Specialists) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack. Additionally, the affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
- Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator. Additionally, 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 the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
- Remedy: Mobility Specialists will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 13, 2015. Owners may contact Mobility Specialists customer service at 1-877-777-5438, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884.
- Manufacturer: Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: MobilityWorks (WMK Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vans modified by MobilityWorks to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The affected lifts are equipped with folding link arms that may have pivot holes that are too big, allowing the bearings to move out of position.
- Consequence: 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 the doors are opened, increasing the risk of injury for the lift operator.
- Remedy: MobilityWorks will notify owners, and Ricon dealers will inspect the link arms for damage or for displaced bearings. The platform will be inspected for cracks. Any damaged parts will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2015. Owners may contact MobilityWorks customer service at 1-800-769-8267, or Ricon Customer Service at 1-800-322-2884. Note: These vehicles and wheelchair lifts were subject to a similar recall in 2014. All vehicles that received that recall remedy are still affected by this recall as well.
- Manufacturer: Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
- Remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- Manufacturer: New England Wheels
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: New England Wheels (New England) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified by New England to be equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
- Remedy: New England will notify owners to take vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact New England customer service at 1-800-886-9247 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. New England's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- Manufacturer: Elkhart Coach
- Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
- Summary: Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-350 and Ford E-450 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to May 1, 2014 and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Consequence: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
- Remedy: Elkhart will notify owners to take the vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Owners may also contact Elkhart customer service at 1-574-264-5179. This recall has been superseded by campaign 15V-768.
- Manufacturer: Adrian Steel Company
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: Adrian Steel Company (Adrian) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 Commercial Cargo Vans modified by Adrian between September 21, 2012, to September 24, 2012. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits with an aluminum fuel line fitting manufactured by Roush CleanTech. 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.
- Consequence: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Adrian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began during July 2014. Owners may contact Adrian customer service at 1-800-677-2726.
- Manufacturer: Roush Performance Products, Inc.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford E-150 Wagons and Cargo Vans, E-250 Cargo Vans and Extended Cargo Vans, E-350 Wagons, Extended Wagons, Cargo Vans, and Extended Vans, and E-450 Cutaway models. These models were modified by Roush to be equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits manufactured January 2011 to August 2012 with an aluminum fuel line fitting. 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.
- Consequence: A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Roush will notify owners and will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with new stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2014. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874.
- Manufacturer: Landi Renzo USA
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE
- Summary: Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). 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.
- Consequence: If the cylinder dislodges, a CNG leak may result, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may contact Landi Renzo USA at 1-855-526-3400.
- Manufacturer: Mobility Works (WMK Inc.)
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: Mobility Works is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 vehicles manufactured August 2006 through August 2012. The vehicles are equipped with certain Ricon S series and K Series wheelchair lifts with an optional armored pendant cable. The armored cable may be positioned such that it does not clear the wheelchair lift.
- Consequence: If the cable does not clear the wheel chair lift it may contact the power lug and, if it does not have a nonconductive cover, or it has an improperly installed non-conductive cover, a short circuit may occur that could result in a fire.
- Remedy: Mobility Works will notify owners and Ricon will provide a supplemental cover kit and instructions, free of charge. This recall campaign is expected to begin July 15, 2013. Owners may contact Mobility Works at 1-877-275-4912 and Ricon at 1-818-267-3000.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Ford E-350 problems:
2012 5.4L E-350 reliability problems - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Jul 15, 2021 ... Weak points I've experienced: - rear heater core leak. Look for wet carpet, disconnected or purposely plugged coolant lines. You might not need ...
2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues
Problem with your 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty? Our list of 3 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty.
2012 E350 Transmission problem - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Sep 12, 2014 ... Turns out the the problem was 1 corroded wire at the fuse box under the hood leading to the trans. There's keyholes in the wheel well near a ...
Ford E-350 Super Duty Problems and Complaints - 36 Issues
Top Ford E-350 Super Duty Problems · Rough Running Engine and Possible Check Engine Light · Loud Popping Noise and Misfire Experienced · Front End May Make Rattle ...
Q&A: Ford E350 Van Transmission Issues - P1921 Transmission ...
May 4, 2023 ... 2012 E350 van 5.4L 2v super duty. Transmission will not shift no speedo. Continuous code p1921 - Answered by a verified Ford Mechanic.
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