RoadVitals

2001 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.
16
Latest Oct 25, 2021
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Ford E-450, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, suspension and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 13 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 & wheels741.2%
  • Suspension423.5%
  • Engine317.6%
  • Brakes211.8%
  • Airbags15.9%

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 16
Airbags
Filed Oct 25, 2021

The contact owns a 2001 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while restarting the vehicle, the front driver’s side air bag deployed independently. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor seek medical attention. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ID
11438020
Incident
Oct 22, 2021
Mileage
61,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 20, 2009

MULTIPLE FAILURES OF NEARLY NEW NEXEN ROADIAN LT TIRE USED ON TWO SEPARATE FORD E-450 LIMO/SHUTTLE CHASSIS. FOUR FAILURES WERE EXPERIENCED WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD, AND INCLUDED CORD/TREAD/INNER LINER SEPARATION, BULGING AND RELATED FAILURES. ONE FAILURE RESULTED IN A BLOW-OUT AT SPEED, ONE FAILURE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS AND/OR CATASTROPHIC BULGE/SEPARATION, AND THE REMAINING FAILURES WERE SIMILAR, BUT CAUGHT PRIOR TO BECOMING DANGEROUS. THE REMAINING TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED/DISCARDED W/O OBSERVED FAILURE. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED. ONE EXPERIENCED, HEAVY TRUCK REPAIR AND MOBILE TRUCK TIRE SERVICE LOCATED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE UNSAFE. THE BRAND, NEXEN, MADE IN KOREA, IS NOT LISTED IN THE CPSC LIST OF TIRE MANUFACTURERS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10281269
Incident
Apr 15, 2009
Mileage
20,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2006

FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON MY 2001 FORD E450 ABS LIGHT CAME ON STAYED ON AFTER I STARTED MY MOTORHOME. THE UNIT WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM. THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ONE WHILE DRIVING TO THE LOCATION, ONLY AFTER BEING PARKED FOR THE FOUR DAYS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10165693
Incident
Aug 13, 2006
Mileage
19,750 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 8, 2006

I JUST HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT/TREAD SEPARATION ON A 2001 FORD E450 RV. THE VEHICLE HAS 28000 MILES AND THE TREADS SHOW LITTLE WEAR. THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S II LT225/75 R 16 LOAD RANGE E. UPON INSPECTION OF THE OTHER TIRES, NOTICES CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALLS OF ALL THE REMAINING TIRES AND A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL OF ONE TIRE. WHAT ARE MY ACTIONS IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES? THANKS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10164958
Incident
Aug 6, 2006
Mileage
28,500 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2005

THIS IS AN UPDATE TO ODI #10143249. DRIVING ON I70 IN DENVER, BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS TIME IT STRIPPED ALL THE THREADS OUT. 2) CAUSED A COST OF TOW AND REPAIRS. *JB 3) SERVICE REPAIR DID A HIELARCH (SP?) ON THE SPARK PLUG SLEEVE. TOTAL INCURRED COST = $631.30. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143250
Incident
Sep 21, 2005
Mileage
95,356 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2005

DRIVING ON I70 IN DENVER, BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS TIME IT STRIPPED ALL THE THREADS OUT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10143249
Incident
Sep 21, 2005
Mileage
95,356 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2005

1- TRAVELING FROM EAST COAST WEST THROUGH INDIANA 2- SPARK PLUG CAME OUT OF CYLINDER CAUSING A BREAKDOWN AND TOWING 3- SERVICE REQUIRED TO REPLACED PLUG AND HARNESS - COST OF 75 FOR TOW AND 213.85 FOR PARTS/LABOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10140175
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Mileage
94,292 mi
Suspension
Filed May 25, 2005

A CRACK IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING TOWER FRAME ON A 2001 FORD E-450 AMBULANCE.

NHTSA ID
10122076
Incident
May 6, 2005

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

18382

POWER TRAIN

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

05248

SUSPENSION

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

18250

POWER TRAIN

INTERMITTENT CLUNK ON 3-2 DOWNSHIFT DURING COASTDOWN/TIP-IN. OASIS. TO INCLUDE 2005 F-150, E-SERIES AND EXPEDITION. *TT

17799

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE ROUGHNESS AND DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS. *TT

17520

SUSPENSION:FRONT

CLUNK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *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
2001Viewing162346.4
2000423356.7
1999732354.5
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.