RoadVitals

1999 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.
73
Latest Jan 3, 2017
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.
3
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Ford E-450, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, brakes and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 21 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

  • Tires & wheels3848.1%
  • Brakes2025.3%
  • Powertrain (other)78.9%
  • Other / unspecified33.8%
  • Engine33.8%
  • Driver assistance22.5%
  • Body & structure22.5%
  • Visibility11.3%

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
EA02018ClosedEngineering Analysis

RAPID TIRE DEFLATION

Opened Aug 19, 2002
Closed Aug 22, 2003

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON CERTAIN FORD PICKUP TRUCKS AND VANS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION (WITH RAPID AIR LOSS) AND A SLOW LEAKING VALVE STEM ON VEHICLE HANDING.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI EVALUATED OVER 1,100 COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS, CONDUCTED VEHICLE DYNAMIC TESTING ON A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH THE FAILURE MODE REPLICATED, INTERVIEWED OWNERS, AND EXAMINED COMPLAINT VEHICLES IN THE FIELD.THE RESULTS OF THE TEST PROGRAM INDICATES THE EFFECT OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION ON THESE VEHICLES IS EASILY CONTROLLED. FURTHER, WITH A POPULATION OF ALMOST 900,000 VEHICLES, HAVING TWO TO FOUR YEARS OF EXPOSURE, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY 3 MINOR CRASHES AND IS UNAWARE OF ANY INJURIES.THE SMALL NUMBER OF CRASHES RELATIVE TO THE LARGE POPULATION OF VEHICLES IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TESTING WHICH WAS PERFORMED. THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.

TIRES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 73
Engine
Filed Jan 3, 2017
Fire reported

A PLUG BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE CAUSING AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
10939207
Incident
Dec 16, 2016
Mileage
153,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 4, 2015

I HAVE A 1999 E450 RV WITH HANKOOK TIRES BELT ARE SEPARATING MANUFACTURER DATE 5/13.

NHTSA ID
10788291
Incident
Nov 2, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 23, 2015
Fire reported

DRIVER REPORTED INTERMITTENT CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE. WHEN RESEARCHING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUE BECAME AWARE OF CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ISSUE. IT IS UNDER FORD RECALL 05S28. IT IS BY ALL ACCOUNTS, A FIRE HAZARD. ON 6/23/2015 TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A FORD DEALER IN ROCHESTER, N.Y.FOR SERVICE UNDER THE RECALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED SAYING FORD HAD DECLINED SERVICE, AND THE REPAIR WORK WOULD BE CHARGEABLE. FORDS STANCE WAS THAT THE VEHICLE "SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN EARLIER". WE RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES ON THIS VEHICLE, CASE IN POINT NEITHER THE GIRL THAT SETS THE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, OR THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALER COULD 'GET THE VIN TO GO IN" THIS RECALL IS IS FORDS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, COVERING FULLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ID
10726824
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2015

FORD V10 TRITON BLOWS UP A SPARK PLUG WHILE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE ENGINE OUR RV FILLED WITH PROPANE, WITH MY HANDICAP SON AND GRANDCHILD IN THE RV. HEARD A LOUD LIFTER NOISE, PULLED OVER TO LOOK AT THE ENGINE, AS MY HUSBAND WAS LOOKING AT THE ENGINE THEN THE LOUD EXPLOSION THOUGHT WE BLEW A MOTOR I CAME OUT TO SEE IF MY HUSBAND WAS OK, THANK GOD THE PLUG COIL AND OTHER STUFF MISSED HIS HEAD. FUEL, COIL, PROPANE THIS IS NOT A GOOD MIXTURE FOR GETTING YOUR RV TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THIS ENGINE IS A DEADLY AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE THE SPARK PLUG AND OTHER STUFF SHOT OUT AS IF FROM A CANNON! THIS RV WE USE TAKE MY VENTILATOR DEPENDENT SON [XXX] TO HIS DOCTORS? APPOINTMENTS, ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I BOUGHT THIS RV WAS FOR MY HANDICAP SON. THIS RV WE TAKE ON OUR FAMILY VACATIONS WITH OUR HANDICAP CHILDREN IN THIS RV FULL OF PROPANE,. FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES BEFORE THERE IS A CATASTROPHE. DO I GET THIS PLUG REPAIRED IN (HOPES) IT STAYS AND DOES NOT BLOW UP AGAIN? IS THIS NOT TAKE A CHANCE ON (HOPE) THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN WHILE ON THE ROAD? AND (HOPE) IT DOES NOT IGNITE AND (HOPE) THE FULL PROPANE TANK DOES NOT EXPLODE? 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ID
10679665
Incident
Jan 28, 2015
Mileage
86 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 10, 2012

TREAD BELT SEPARATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487878
Incident
Dec 8, 2012
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 25, 2008

I FOUND OUT THAT BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE FORD TRITON ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS THEY ARE PRONE TO "SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT". IN CERTAIN INSTANCES THIS CAN RESULT IN FIRE AS THE SPARK PLUG BECOMES A MISSILE AND CAN BREAK FUEL LINES ETC. AFTER SUCH AN EVENT THE REPAIR FOR OUT OF WARRANTY VEHICLES CAN EASILY BE WELL INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND FORD WILL ACCEPT NO RESPONSIVELY. I OWN SUCH AN ENGINE AND IN THE INTEREST OF POSSIBLY PREVENTING THIS, I HAVE LOOKED INTO REPLACING THE SPARK PLUGS FAR EARLIER THAN FORD MAINTENANCE RECOMMENDS AND INSTALL THE NEW ONES PER THE LATEST INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF ANTI-SEIZE PRODUCTS ON THE THREADS. BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN, IT SEEMS THAT TO REPLACE 10 SPARK PLUGS IN MY RV EXCEEDS $1000. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THEIR ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225693
Incident
Apr 24, 2008
Mileage
52,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, FORD SENT A SECOND RECALL NOTICE STATING THAT THEY REPLACED THE HARNESS WITH A FAULTY PART AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. ON FEBRUARY 28, 2008, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER OPERATED AT ALL WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO SIGN A PAPER STATING THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. IF IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELEVANT TO THE RECALL, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,676 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,646.

NHTSA ID
10219591
Incident
Feb 28, 2008
Mileage
38,646 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2006

THE AIRBAG SENSOR (INDICATOR LIGHT ) STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID
10152502
Incident
Feb 24, 2006
Mileage
29,616 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

0511

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CRACKS IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT SPRING TOWER FLANGE. *TT SPRING TOWER WELD REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT

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

17520

SUSPENSION:FRONT

CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT

15591

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

SOME VEHICLES WITHOUT FRONT BRAKE DUST SHIELDS MAY EXHIBIT PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *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

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
1999Viewing732354.5
1998522—
1997182246.7
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.