The 2012 E-350 with the 6.8L V10 Triton is a workhorse van that can rack up serious miles, but it's plagued by spark plug ejection issues, transmission cooler failures that can kill the transmission, and fuel system vulnerabilities. When maintained properly it'll run forever, but neglect or bad luck with a few critical failures can cost you the entire powertrain.
Spark Plug Ejection from Cylinder Head
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden loud popping or hissing noise from engine bay, Immediate misfire and rough idle, Check engine light with P030X misfire codes, Loss of power and fuel economy
Fix: The 2-valve Triton V10 has thin threads in the aluminum head that strip or allow plugs to blow out under combustion pressure. Requires HeliCoil or TIME-SERT thread repair kit installation. If caught early, 2-3 hours labor per cylinder. If the plug damages the head or coil on exit, you're looking at head removal and possible replacement. Many shops now pre-emptively install thread inserts during plug changes.
Estimated cost: $400-800 per cylinder for insert repair; $3,000-5,000 if head damage requires removal
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure and Cross-Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission slipping or erratic shifting, Milky or strawberry-colored fluid in transmission or coolant reservoir, Transmission overheating warnings, Engine overheating in severe cases
Fix: The cooler inside the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix—coolant destroys the transmission internals within miles. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid system flush (or full transmission replacement if coolant got circulated), new cooler lines, and often an external auxiliary cooler installation. If caught immediately, flush and radiator swap is 4-5 hours. If driven after contamination, budget for transmission replacement at 12-16 hours.
Estimated cost: $800-1,500 if caught early with flush; $3,500-5,500 with transmission replacement
Intake Manifold and Exhaust Manifold Gasket Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, Rough idle or poor acceleration, Loud ticking or exhaust leak noise on cold start, White smoke from exhaust (intake leak) or visible soot around manifold bolts
Fix: V10 develops intake manifold coolant leaks and exhaust manifold gasket failures. Intake leak causes coolant loss into cylinders, exhaust leaks cause noise and potential head warping if ignored. Intake manifold job is 6-8 hours (includes upper/lower gaskets), exhaust is 4-6 hours per side due to tight quarters and often broken studs. Smart shops do both sides of exhaust at once.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800 for intake; $800-1,400 per side for exhaust manifolds
Fuel Pump Driver Module (FPDM) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition or extended cranking before start, Stalling at idle or under load, Intermittent loss of power while driving, Fuel pump runs constantly or not at all
Fix: The FPDM located on the frame rail fails from corrosion or heat cycling, cutting power to the fuel pump. Common enough Ford issued TSBs. Module replacement is straightforward—1-1.5 hours—but diagnosis can add time if not familiar with the issue. Located driver side frame rail ahead of fuel tank. Clean connections and apply dielectric grease during replacement.
Estimated cost: $300-550
Rear Differential Pinion Seal and Axle Seal Leaks
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil drips on driveway under rear of vehicle, Visible oil coating on differential housing or inside rear wheels, Whining or howling noise from rear if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: Dana rear axles in heavy E-350s develop seal leaks from wear and load cycling. Pinion seal replacement requires driveshaft removal and pinion preload reset—3-4 hours. Axle seals are easier at 1.5-2 hours per side but often done in pairs. Not urgent until fluid loss becomes significant, but leaking diff fluid attracts dirt and accelerates bearing wear.
Estimated cost: $400-700 for pinion seal; $250-450 per axle seal
Transmission Mount Failure and Driveline Vibration
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Excessive driveline vibration at highway speeds, Visible transmission sag or misalignment, Accelerated U-joint wear
Fix: Heavy payload duty destroys the rubber transmission mount, allowing the transmission to shift position and causing driveline angle problems. Replacement is straightforward—1.5-2 hours—but requires transmission support. Worn mounts accelerate U-joint and output shaft bearing failures, so don't delay. Inspect engine mounts at the same time.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Owner tips
Install HeliCoil or TIME-SERT inserts in all spark plug holes preventively during any plug change—cheap insurance against ejection
Replace the radiator and install an external transmission cooler before the internal cooler fails—$800 now saves $4,000 later
Check transmission fluid and coolant regularly for cross-contamination; even slight discoloration means immediate shutdown and tow
Use Motorcraft or high-quality spark plugs torqued to exact spec—overtorquing makes ejection worse, undertorquing guarantees it
Inspect FPDM connections annually and coat with dielectric grease—corrosion kills these modules
Change differential fluid every 50,000 miles in heavy-duty use to extend seal and bearing life
Buy one if you need the hauling capacity and can budget $2,000-3,000 for preventive spark plug thread repairs and transmission cooler bypass—neglected examples are grenades, but well-maintained V10 E-350s are nearly indestructible workhorses.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY · 15V779000
2015-11-20 · RQ15002
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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY · 15V763000
2015-11-17
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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY · 15V729000
2015-11-04
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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY · 14V706000
2014-11-05 · EQ14013
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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY · 14V617000
2014-10-03
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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY · 14V595000
2014-09-24
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 14V501000
2014-08-06
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 14V426000
2014-07-10
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE · 14V097000
2014-03-04
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.
EQUIPMENT · 13V261000
2013-06-21 · EQ13003
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.
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