Ford E-450 problems

General information about Ford E-450
Ford E-450 years list
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

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 Ford E-450 problems

The Ford E-450 is a reliable vehicle, but like any other vehicle, it can have certain issues. Here are some of the common problems with the Ford E-450 based on complaints from owners:

Engine concerns: Ford has recalled the E-350 and E-450 full-size vans due to damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness, which could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.

Service brake issues: The 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels may have an inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit, which may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid. This scenario can increase the risk of a crash, and dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit, and replace the power steering lines as necessary, free of charge.

Driveline issues: The rear axle differential fluid in certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge.

Check engine light: The check engine light in the Ford E-450 can be triggered by several issues, such as a loose gas cap, failed oxygen sensor, weak car battery, faulty spark plugs, engine misfire, and mass airflow sensor problems. These issues can affect the vehicle's performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions, and it's essential to diagnose and fix the problem as soon as possible.

In conclusion, while the Ford E-450 is a reliable vehicle, it can have certain issues, such as transmission problems, engine concerns, service brake issues, driveline issues, and check engine light problems. If you own a Ford E-450, it's essential to be aware of these issues and address them promptly to ensure the safety and longevity of your vehicle.

How long do E450 engines last?

These engines will last a few hundred thousand miles if taken care of. We have a 2005 E450 V10 with a 113,000 miles, the last 60K towing a car. Burns no oil, quiet as a mouse at idle. But I change oil every 5-6000 miles, change transmission fluid every 30,000 and follow the maintenance schedule as best I can.

What is the steering problem with the E450?

In February 2022, Ford recalled an estimated 44,219 of the E-350 and E-450 vehicles for a sudden loss of power steering fluid that can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash, NHTSA said.

What transmission is in an E450 Ford?

Ford Torqshift® Automatic Transmission

Ford Torqshift® Automatic Transmission.

What is the code P0300 on a Ford E450?

A P0300 code indicates multiple misfires. This means that other cylinder misfire codes are present and your vehicle is lacking an integral component regarding its drivability.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Ford E-450 years

We have researched Ford problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Ford E-450 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Ford E-450 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Ford E-450 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Ford E-450 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Ford E-450 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Ford E-450 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

Tires problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Structure problems
Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Ford E-450 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by E-450 model years

A total of 9 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by E-450 model years

There were a total of 20 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by E-450 model years

There were a total of 11 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 383 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Ford E-450 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Ford E-450 vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Ford E-450 2022

Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
VIN: 1FDXE4FN8ND
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 24N03 (Hydroboost or Hydromax Power Steering Pressure and Jumper Line Replacement). The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact downshifted the transmission from fifth to first gear to stop the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist while making turns. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the hydroboost power steering pressure and jumper line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V097000 (Steering, Service Brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 12,750.

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Ford E-450 2003

Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
Date Complaint: 2024-09-04
VIN: 1FDXE45S93H
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: I have issues with brakes calipers that pistons are made of Phenolic material, replaced calipers multiple times and will fail in as little as one trip and when using RV in hot weather or too much braking like in the city even if is cold the brakes are constantly locking up to the point where the wheels won't turn, and burn I have to pull over when this happens and wait and hour or two while the brakes are smoking on the side of the road and my wife with a fire extinguisher afraid that the RV was going to burn then I reach inside with a tool to break them loose. I do not have more options for the repair as the calipers pistons are the problem every time and it became very dangerous to drive around anymore, I don't often complain of things but this is a safety issue that affected many of this vehicle owners with this type of caliper pistons. At this time the brakes are not the problem is the calipers pistons that fail no matter how old they are, as they heat up they warp or deform causing them to stick inside the hub of the caliper, I need assistance to correct this issue since ford has not provided a fix for that, I did not want to reach this point of filling a complain because is not me but if they made a bad part for the vehicle it need to be updated. I will buy the parts if there is a replacement available that wont stick inside calipers when is hot. Please note that the brakes calipers have been replace all of them then failed the same way within the first or second drive if driving down hills or traffic areas, is been confirmed that the issue is unrelated to other brake components. Thank you for your assistance.

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Ford E-450 2022

Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
Date Complaint: 2024-08-21
VIN: 1FDXE4FN7ND
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: See attached document for complaint.

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Ford E-450 2021

Date Of Incident: 2024-07-07
Date Complaint: 2024-07-18
VIN: 1FDXE4FNXMD
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal became stiff, and the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was continuously depressed for the vehicle to come to a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering hose and fluids needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,104.

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Ford E-450 2021

Date Of Incident: 2024-06-10
Date Complaint: 2024-06-17
VIN: 1FDXE4FN1MD
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: Component= Traction control and cruise control. Safety risk=Driving a Ford e-450 Class C RV on interstate at 63 MPH going generally up hill with cruise control on, the "Service AdvanceTrac" warning light came on dashboard. I Immediately lost cruise control capability and steering became a little shakey. Pulled into rest area shut vehicle off. A few minutes and started again. Error went away and cruise control was functioning. Happened again a few hours later and I did the same thing and continued on. What happened=As I was driving, the " Service Advance Traction" light came on and the cruise control stopped, my class c rv immediately slowed at a high rate, a semi was behind me trying to get over to the middle lane. When I slowed down suddenly due to the cruise control going out, the semi had no choice but to change lanes quickly missing the back of my vehicle by a foot or so. If he was not alert as to what was happening, I most assuredly would not be typing this letter. It was that close!! Note= This also happened last year as we only take the RV out a few weeks out of the year. I brought it to Klammer Ford in New Port Richey F1l immediately after we got back from the last trip. They could not reproduce issue or find anything wrong Lamps= The only warning light that came on was a "Service Advance traction" light. No prior indication of any kind.

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Ford E-450 2022

Date Of Incident: 2024-01-10
Date Complaint: 2024-01-24
VIN: 1FDXE4FN7ND
Components: ENGINE
Summary: We operate numerous 7.3L Ford engine equipped vehicles in our fleet of ambulances. Over the past year we have experienced 4 engine failures of this 7.3L engine in vehicles ranging form around 60,000 to 90,000 after exceeding the service recommendations stated from the manufacturer. I have contacted the Ford Pro Fleet experts and have asked repeatedly about what could be causing the failures, trying to figure out if we are doing something wrong in our maintenance or operation. They assure us we are not doing anything wrong, however we continue to lose engines. Each time the repair bill is around $12,000. We have been lucky that Ford has offered financial assistance, but now that has gone away. At first, we were told that we were the only ones experiencing these failures, but now I am hearing from other operators of similar vehicles that they are experiencing the same concern. We cannot afford to keep replacing engines in relatively new vehicles, especially when there is an apparent defect in parts or standard operation. Symptoms we experience that lead to engine replacement are loss of power while driving caused my multiple cylinder misfires. Loss of power while running an emergency call pose a significant safety risk to operators and patients.

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Ford E-450 2022

Date Of Incident: 2024-01-07
Date Complaint: 2024-01-11
VIN: 1FDXE4FN8ND
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-450. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the recall. The contact stated that the recall repair was not performed; however, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the recall repair was not needed, and that the vehicle was good to be driven. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering and the service brakes were inoperable. The contact stated that the steering failed to function as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Castle Ford in Michigan City. The vehicle was diagnosed with failed power steering connection line and a failed brake hydro boost unit. The vehicle was then repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the failure occurred thirty days after the vehicle was serviced at the dealer and the dealer declined to complete the recall repair. The contact stated that the failure occurred while out of town. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

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Ford E-450 2022

Date Of Incident: 2023-12-04
Date Complaint: 2023-12-06
VIN: 1FDXE4FN7ND
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: I am a mechanic at Huron Valley Ambulance. Ford has a recall that covers some of our Ambulances. Recall NO: 22S08 for the power steering lines coming apart. I have been having issues with the hoses coming apart even after the recall has been performed. The Ford dealer will not cover this repair after the recall has been done. This is a safety issue as both the steering and braking are effected. It is also time consuming and expensive to repair. I feel this recall is not correcting this problem and needs to be addressed.

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Ford E-450 2002

Date Of Incident: 2023-08-15
Date Complaint: 2023-08-18
VIN: 1FDXE45S42H
Components: ENGINE
Summary: The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a loud bang came from the vehicle and the vehicle was steered over to the side of the road. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

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Ford E-450 2021

Date Of Incident: 2023-07-29
Date Complaint: 2023-07-30
VIN: 1FDXE4FN2ND
Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: My RV is make from 2021 Ford E-450. The power steering fluid leaked out and hard to steer the RV, and lost break. Ford has a recall 2021E-450 under similar situation, but my Vin did not received any recall notice.

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Ford E-450 2021

Date Of Incident: 2023-07-10
Date Complaint: 2023-07-20
VIN: 1FDXE4FN3MD
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Jayco Redhawk Motorhome built on a 2021 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The RV was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the brake line had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

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Ford E-450 2021

Date Of Incident: 2022-07-01
Date Complaint: 2023-06-28
VIN: 1FC4E4KN5MD
Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: 2021 FORD E-450- Recall# 21V-441- heat shield not properly installed in between the LP tank and chassis muffler. Consumer enclosed a copy of the recall notice. Consumer went to an RV dealer in reference to a recall repair. The dealership made a call and informed consumer it could be fixed & would received return phone call that same evening or the next day. Several days passed. Consumer called representative 2 more times within a 3 week period with no return call. Consumer called a 3rd time & requested supervisor return the call. After 6 weeks no one called. The RV has only been used 3 times since purchased. July 2022, consumer received a recall notice from Ford about a problem the power steering hose possible failure. Consumer took unit to dealer the same month for repair. The mechanic stated that although it could be fixed, recall repairs wasn't a priority. Consumer left unit for repair. Consumer called several times for status of repair 7 explained about a trip planned in Aug. & was told it would be ready. The unit was not ready by time specified. After returning from trip unit still was not fixed. Consumer picked up unit unrepaired 2 1/2 months later. Consumer now states: "So what now Thor? What do I do with this unit I can't use and just sits in my driveway. It appears that by the way these people operate that once again 1 may not be able to use the unit this summer. By the way your letter states that it is a third notification on this recall matter however the enclosed copy is the only one I have ever received."

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Ford E-450 2022

Date Of Incident: 2022-06-02
Date Complaint: 2023-05-22
VIN: 1FDXE4FN8ND
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: The tire pressure monitoring system fails frequently while being driven. The first few times I pulled off the road and checked the pressures, and they were normal. I had the system checked at a Ford dealership and they couldn't find any problem. It failed again. I returned to the dealership and they said they couldn't find a problem and there is nothing they could do for me. So I drive away from the dealership and the same thing happens. Believing that they can't do anything I keep driving and manually checking pressures. Problem returns. I went to a different Ford dealership and they said they found a faulty sensor and replaced it. The same problem came back after less than a few miles. I needed gas so I filled up and realized that after turning the ignition off and restarting, the light on the dash and the warning went away. I returned to that dealership and they said after hearing my explanation. They couldn't do anything unless the fault was active at the time I brought it to them. So I was told to drive it until I got the safety warning and to not shut it off until I got to a Ford dealership. Really!!! Not all Ford dealerships will service the E450s with RVs built on the chassis. Reasonable? No way! There is a problem with the system that Ford should be able to correct. I don't feel safe having to pull over and check tire pressures on a busy highway. And it's not necessary if they address the problem and fix it

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Ford E-450 2008

Date Of Incident: 2023-02-15
Date Complaint: 2023-03-27
VIN: 1FDXE45S38D
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Summary: The component that failed was the transmission and transmission pump. We have receipts and digital verification of this situation as a common problem with this Ford model. Our safety was put at risk as the vehicle suddenly lost power on the highway in a rural area and we had to drift with what speed we had left to the right lane shoulder and hope there was a shoulder as we could not back up or go forward. The vehicle is in claims processing with insurance, however 3 experts in the auto industry reported this a common problem for this make/model of Ford. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure--specifically there is not a dash gauge for the transmission temperature and there should be.

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Ford E-450 2021

Date Of Incident: 2023-01-16
Date Complaint: 2023-03-16
VIN: 1FDXE4FN6MD
Components: STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT
Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Phoenix Cruiser RV built on a 2021 Ford E-450 chassis, equipped with a 6400 Series window vent. The contact stated that he became aware that the side window was delaminating. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E047000 (Structure, Equipment). The RV was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was related to the adhesive; however, no repairs were completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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Latest 5 recalls Ford E-450

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 121 recalls for different components of the Ford E-450.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

Model: Ford E-450 2021
Report Received Date: 2024-02-09
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Consequence: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.

Model: Ford E-450 2022
Report Received Date: 2024-02-09
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Consequence: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.

Model: Ford E-450 2022
Report Received Date: 2022-12-14
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 E-350, E-450, and 2021-2022 F-59 vehicles. The paint along the weld seam of the fuel tank may peel and lead to corrosion of the exposed metal, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S76.

Model: Ford E-450 2023
Report Received Date: 2022-12-14
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 E-350, E-450, and 2021-2022 F-59 vehicles. The paint along the weld seam of the fuel tank may peel and lead to corrosion of the exposed metal, which can result in a fuel leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S76.

Model: Ford E-450 2023
Report Received Date: 2022-10-20
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Components: POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 E450 vehicles. The bolt that secures the rear axle rotor to the wheel-hub may be improperly tightened, possibly resulting in wheel separation.
Consequence: Wheel separation from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle serial number, and if necessary, remove and inspect the rear axle rotor and hub assembly. If any bolts are found to be loose, the rotor and hub assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S68.