2002 Ford E-450 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford E-450, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels531.3%
- Engine318.8%
- Electrical318.8%
- Exterior lighting16.3%
- Powertrain (other)16.3%
- Fuel system16.3%
- Brakes16.3%
- Body & structure16.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
COOPER SRM II LT 225/75/R 16 TREAD SEPARATION OF REAR TIRE ON RV APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES OF HOME WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. TWO MONTHS EARLIER HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH ANOTHER REAR TIRE. TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS A SET OF SIX ON 04/08 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED. TIRES ARE BEING REPLACED WITH A COMPLETE SET FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *TR
TIRE TREAD FAILED ON CONSUMER'S 2002 FORD E450 . *TS *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH TO SOUTH JUST OUTSIDE OF LASVEGAS WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER, WITH THE INJECTOR STILL PUMPING FUEL. IN OUR 31' MOTORHOME WITH A E450 ENGINE. DID WE NOT REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. AS A RESULT THIS COST US $7200.00 AND THE LOSS OF USE OF OUR VEHICLE AND HOME FOR 10 DAYS. WE HAVE ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SOME RENUMERATION TOWARDS THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE AS WE SOON FOUND OUT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 6 YEARS OLD THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. WE FEEL THAT EVEN IF WE WERE COMPENSATED FOR THE PARTS WOULD BE A FAIR RESPONSE, BECAUSE THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LIABILITY LAWSUIT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE US WITH OUR REQUEST TO FORD. THANK YOU, *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MOTORHOME WITH THE FORD E-450, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY PARK I LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR
SPARK PLUG EJECTED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAUSING EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN RESULTING IN 550.00 BILL FOR SPARK PLUG SLEEVE REPAIR THEN 50 MILES FROM THIS INCIDENT THE FAN BELT SHREDDED RESULTING IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND ANOTHER EMERGENCY REPAIR OF 520.00 FOR NEW BELT AND ALTERNATOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MOTORHOME WITH THE FORD E-450, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY PARK I LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE AMBULANCE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. WHEN THE AMBULANCE IS AT IDLE IT JUST SHUTS OFF, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE RPM'S ARE AT IDLE THE ENGINE WILL JUST SHUT OFF. NO CRASH OR INJURIES HOWEVER IT WAS VERY CLOSE AS THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IT WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH TO SOUTH JUST OUTSIDE OF LASVEGAS WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER, WITH THE INJECTOR STILL PUMPING FUEL. IN OUR 31' MOTORHOME WITH A E450 ENGINE. DID WE NOT REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. AS A RESULT THIS COST US $7200.00 AND THE LOSS OF USE OF OUR VEHICLE AND HOME FOR 10 DAYS. WE HAVE ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SOME RENUMERATION TOWARDS THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE AS WE SOON FOUND OUT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 6 YEARS OLD THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. WE FEEL THAT EVEN IF WE WERE COMPENSATED FOR THE PARTS WOULD BE A FAIR RESPONSE, BECAUSE THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LIABILITY LAWSUIT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE US WITH OUR REQUEST TO FORD. THANK YOU, *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR BRAKE CALIPER PISTON BOOTS HARD, BRITTLE, SPLIT. CONSTRUCTED OF MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANT PROPERTIES. BOTH REAR CALIPER ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED BY DEALER WARRANTY. DT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 90 IN SOUTH DAKOTA AT APPROX 70MPH WHEN A VEHICLE BEHIND ME FLASHED HIS LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER AND DRAGGING BEHIND ME BY ONLY ONE HYDRAULIC LINE WAS THE REAR LEVELING SYSTEM. THIS ASSEMBLY IS ABOUT 5 FEET LONG AND HAS TWO HYDRAULIC JACKS ONE ON EACH END. MY GUESS IS THIS WEIGHS OVER 70LBS. HAD THIS BROKEN LOOSE IN THE INTERSTATE AT THAT SPEED GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED..THE UNDAMAGED BOLTS WERE STILL IN THE FRAME..(SEE PHOTO 1) IT APPEARS TO HAVE JUST COME LOOSE OVER TIME.. WITH ANY KIND OF LOCK WASHER UNDER THE NUTS OR LOCKING SYSTEM THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I DISCONNECTED THE REMAINING HYDRAULIC LINE AND PUT THE UNIT IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE CAMPER(SEE PHOTO 2)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .