FordE-1502012Overview/ford/e-150/2012/base/
150 platform

2012 Ford E-150

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 E.

Body VAN

The 2012 Ford E-150 is a full-size van riding on the 150 platform, with routine maintenance calling for 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Against the backdrop of the E-Series’ 1990–2023 production run—a span that saw complaint volumes swing from a high of 266 in 2008 to just one in 2021—this model year registers only 12 owner complaints and eight recalls, placing it among the more trouble-free iterations. While power train issues dominate the limited feedback recorded, the overall scarcity of problems relative to the model line’s historical volatility makes the 2012 E-150 a notably stable data point for researchers examining long-term van reliability.

Model year20172016201520142012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque140-150 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - PRIMARY · 650 - PRIMARY CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - PRIMARY · 650 - PRIMARY CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225-75R16EOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length216.5 in
Overall width79.5 in
Overall height82.3 in
Wheelbase138.2 in
Curb weight4645 lb
Track (front / rear)70.1 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140-150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket258.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140-150 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.043-0.047 in
Spark Plug Torque10.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-60
RPM55-60 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle195 ft-lbs / 166 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.511 in / 1.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs. Step 2: 32 ft. lbs., Step 3: 10517 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs. step 3: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5915 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 8 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace) · Wheel Bearing (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Ford E-150 sits in the latter, quieter phase of this generation's federal record, well past the dramatic 2008 spike of 266 complaints and 20 recalls that marked the generation's peak turmoil. Complaint volume for 2012 stands at 12, roughly in line with the low single-digit-to-teens range seen in 2009 (8), 2013 (19), and 2014 (6), suggesting the major systemic issues that drove the 2008 surge had largely been addressed by this point. Recalls remain moderately active at 8 for the target year, matching 2014 and sitting between the 16 of 2009 and the 6 of 2013, indicating Ford was still issuing safety corrections but at a declining rate as the generation aged. The top complaint area is Power Train with 3 reports, followed by scattered single complaints across forward collision avoidance, exterior lighting, seat belts, service brakes, and engine — a diffuse pattern with no concentrated failure mode, and the data does not specify root causes for any of these. With only 1 crash-related complaint and 0 fire complaints, and complaint/recall activity trending downward through the surrounding years, the 2012 model year represents a relatively stable point in the generation's lifecycle and is a reasonable used purchase, provided any open recalls have been completed.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
23
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train3
Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Exterior Lighting,Seat Belts,Service Brakes1
Engine1
Electrical System,Seat Belts,Structure1
Structure1
Tires1
Steering,Suspension,Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V729000Equipment Adaptive/MobilityReported 04/11/2015

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… 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…

14V097000Fuel System, Other:StorageReported 04/03/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 23 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 481302019-08-09VisibilitySome 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or…
SSM 481232019-08-07Electrical SystemFor Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 E take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 E have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.