RoadVitals

1997 Ford E-450

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Jul 13, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 13, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Ford E-450, most frequently naming the body & structure, tires & wheels and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09V399000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Oct 13, 2009
4,500,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
The remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 09S09View on NHTSA.gov
06V286000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 1, 2006
1,200,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE09055ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HVAC Switch Failures

Opened Dec 7, 2009
Closed Apr 21, 2010

ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
EA05005ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Mar 22, 2005
Closed Aug 2, 2006

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 05V388000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 18
Electrical
Filed Jul 13, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER CONTROL SWITCH FAILED TO FUNCTION; THEREFORE, ONLY COLD AIR EMITS FROM THE HEATER SYSTEM. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN A MANUFACTURES RECALL . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10412171
Incident
Jul 6, 2011
Mileage
54,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 6, 2004

THE 1997 TIRES WITH 18,000 MILES ON THEM HAVE LARGE CRACKS AROUND THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL OF ALL 6 TIRES (MOTORHOME). NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF ALL THE FIRESTONE RE-CALLS. WAS WONDERING IF THESE TIRES HAD A RE-CALL (FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S, LT225/75R16 M/S). NO "INCIDENT" AS OF YET... *LA

NHTSA ID
10065633
Incident
Apr 6, 2004
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2002

TREAD SEPARATION, WOULD AVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF TIRE HAD BEEN LOCATED ON FRONT WHEEL. *AK

NHTSA ID
764770
Incident
Jul 24, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 12, 2001

HAD 2 BLOWOUTS.1AT 22000MI AND 1 AT 26000.THREW ALL THE TREAD ON THE 1ST ONE TIRE COOL TO TOUCH AND OUTSIDE TEMP 58DEG.LOOKS LIKE TREAD HAD NEVER BEEN GLUED ON TO CARCUS.THE 2ND TIRE BLEW AT 55MPH OUTSIDE TEMP56DEG.LOOKED AS IF PART OF THE TREAD WAS GLUED.I KNOW OF 2 OTHER CLASS C MOTORHOMES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.BETWEEN THE 3 MH WE HAVE HAD 7 BLOWOUTS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VD1L 1XD TIRESIZE: 225/75/16)

NHTSA ID
752095
Incident
Jul 13, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 16, 2001

BOTH RIGHT REAR DUALS BLEW OUT. REPLACED ALL 6 TIRES FOR FAMILY SAFETY. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT22575R16)

NHTSA ID
750574
Incident
Aug 9, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed May 24, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED TREAD SEPARATION. LT225/75R16. *AK CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT TWICE, ALSO HAS EXPERIENCED BLOW OUTS DUE TO SIDEWALL CRACKS.*JB

NHTSA ID
889070
Incident
Feb 14, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Feb 26, 2001

THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CRACKING AT MAIN FRAME, FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN #991411 TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION. REWELDING OF CROSSMEMBER HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM, WAS STILL CRACKING, REDONE WITH SUPPORT ADDED. *MJS

NHTSA ID
559842
Incident
Feb 6, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Feb 26, 2001

THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CRACKING AT MAIN FRAME, FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN #991411 TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION. REWELDING OF CROSSMEMBER HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM, WAS STILL CRACKING, REDONE WITH SUPPORT ADDED. *MJS

NHTSA ID
559841
Incident
Feb 6, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

05248

SUSPENSION

VIBRATION/HARSHNESS ABOVE 45 MPH (72 KM/H) AFTER TIRE BALANCE. *TT

18382

POWER TRAIN

FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VENT ON THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTED PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY. *TT

14963

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SOME CUT-AWAY VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT ANTI-SKID BRAKE SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1229, C1230 AND C1237. *TT

13822

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES WITH MODEL 80 REAR AXLES ONLY MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE ABOVE 35 MPH. *TT

8048

SUSPENSION:REAR

SOME VEHICLES WITH MODEL 80 REAR AXLES ONLY, MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE ABOVE 35 MPH. *TT

8048

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

SOME VEHICLES WITH MODEL 80 REAR AXLES ONLY MAY EXHIBIT A WHINE ABOVE 35 MPH. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford E-450 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026210—
2025200—
2024400—
2023230—
2022133150.0
2021276150.2
2020000—
2019500—
2018540—
2017112141.8
2016174060.0
2015611—
2014530—
2013122037.4
2012440—
20117100—
2010570—
20092100—
2008681—
20071211163.3
20062012162.1
2005347157.4
2004276154.8
2003185154.1
2002133252.2
2001162346.4
2000423356.7
1999732354.5
1998522—
1997Viewing182246.7
1996121—
1995010—
1994010—
1993410—
1992010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.