2005 Ford E-450 Owner Complaints

THIS VEHICLE IS A MOTORHOME, BUILD ON THE 2005 E450 CAB/CHASSIS WITH A GAS V10 ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING IN A SINGLE LANE CONSTRUCTION ZONE ON THE INTERSTATE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SLOWED TO A VERY VERY LOW SPEED (A FEW INCHES PER SECOND). AS TRAFFIC APPROACHED AND BUILT UP BEHIND I INCHED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER ANY FURTHER AND REQUIRED A TOW. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY, IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, WITH MY FAMILY.

NHTSA ID

11109624

Incident

Jun 16, 2018

Mileage

46,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450 CHINOOK MOTORHOME EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRES, SIZE: LT225/75/R16. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER OUTSIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR OTHER TIRES ALSO SHOWED SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. THE MOTORHOME WAS TAKEN TO LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER (500 DEINHARD LN, MCCALL, ID 83638, (208) 634-6042) AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,004 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11051017

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

Mileage

58,004 mi

2013 DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING THE BRAKE CALIPER ON THE LEFT REAR STUCK HOLDING THE BRAKE PADS AGAINST THE DISK. I NOTICED IT WHEN STOPPING FOR GAS. AS I REMOVED THE GAS CAP I SAW CONSIDERABLE SMOKE RISING AROUND THAT LEFT DUAL WHEEL. THE WHEEL AND TIRE WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. SMOKE GOT WORSE AND AFRAID OF THE HEAT AND PROXIMITY OF THE GAS PUMP I MOVED THE RV A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY. I HAD THE CALIPER, PADS, AND DISC REPLACED. LATER ON A TRIP AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE I HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT ON LEFT INSIDE WHEEL. WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED I SAW THAT IT HAD BEEN DAMAGED FROM THE EXTREME HEAT. ON THE WAY HOME FROM OUR 2015 CHRISTMAS TRIP I FELT AS THOUGH THE RV WAS NOT ACCELERATING AS IT SHOULD BUT THOUGHT IT WAS THE UP HILL CLIMB OF THE ROADWAY. AGAIN WHEN I STOPPED FOR FUEL I SAW A WISP OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND THE WHEEL WAS HOT. I HAVE NOT HAD THE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT YET. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A 2005 RV ON A CHEVY CHASSIS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THAT CASE THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. MAY NOT BE RELATED BUT SOUNDS AS IF IT COULD BE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

10837643

Incident

Dec 28, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FICM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,213.

NHTSA ID

10702599

Incident

Sep 11, 2007

Mileage

134,213 mi

2005 FORD E-450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 682.

NHTSA ID

10618557

Incident

Apr 5, 2014

ON 5/19/2010 I PURCHASED 6 CHAPARRAL TIRES SIZE 2257516 FOR MY 2005 DUTCHMEN CLASS C MOTORHOME ON A FORD E450 CHASSIS. WHILE ON A VACATION TRIP TO THE WEST THE 4 REAR TIRES DEVELOPED BLISTERS. THIS INITIATED REPLACING ALL 4 OF THEM. WE DECIDED TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES ALSO BECAUSE OF THE DANGER. OF A BLOW OUT. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 7945 MILES ON THEM. ALL THIS CAN BE DOCUMENTED WITH RECEIPTS. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD THEREFORE NOT GUARANTEED. I MAINTAIN THIS IS NOT A ROAD HAZARD BUT DEFECTS IN THE TIRES. THIS OCCURRED ON 9/11/2013. I CONTACTED 2 COMPANIES ON LINE THAT DEAL IN THIS TIRE BRAND AND HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE. I AM CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS CONDITION AND PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FROM THIS COMPANY. I HAVE ASKED FOR COMPENSATION BUT WAS IGNORED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10548857

Incident

Sep 11, 2013

Mileage

7,945 mi

I RECENTLY HAD THREE (3) BF GOODRICH TIRES (225/75R16E BFG COMML) ON MY RV SEPARATE WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF EACH OTHER. THESE TIRES WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD - 2 FAILED WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND 1 FAILED WITHIN 11,000 MILES OF PURCHASE. AT THE TIME OF THE SEPARATIONS WE WERE IN RURAL SOUTHERN OREGON ABOUT 1,000 MILES FROM OUR HOME IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MAY 2013 WHEN 2 REAR TIRES HAD SEPARATION AT THE SIDEWALL AND TREAD. AT THE TIME OF THE SECOND INCIDENT IN JULY 2013 ANOTHER TIRE STARTED SEPARATING AT THE TREAD. WE REPLACED ALL 3 TIRES IN OREGON AT THE LOCAL TIRE DEALER. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST SEPARATION, I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE BF GOODRICH TIRES REQUESTING HIS ASSISTANCE IN SUBMITTING A WARRANTY CLAIM. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO UNTIL I RETURNED HOME. I TOOK PICTURES OF ALL THE SEPARATED TIRES INCLUSIVE OF SEPARATION AREAS AND DOT NUMBERS. UPON RETURNING HOME, THE DEALER SAID HE NEEDED THE OLD TIRES FOR WARRANTY CLAIMS. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO EXPECT US TO CARRY 3 DAMAGED TIRES AROUND IN OUR RV UNTIL WE RETURNED HOME. THIS IS ESPECIALLY UNREASONABLE WHEN HE TOLD ME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AT THAT TIME - THAT WAS WHEN I COULD HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO SHIP THE TIRES SOMEWHERE FOR INSPECTION. I CONTACTED THE TIRE DEALER'S CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHO MADE MANY CALLS TO HIS SUPPLIER AND BF GOODRICH. HE COULD GET NO HELP FOR THIS ISSUE WITHOUT THE OLD TIRES AND ACTUALLY WAS TOLD BY A BFG REP THAT "BFG DID NOT MAKE TIRES THAT FAILED". NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS ASTONISHED TO HEAR SUCH AN OUTRAGEOUS CLAIM SINCE 50% OF THE BFG TIRES I PURCHASED IN MARCH 2011 FAILED DUE TO SEPARATION WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES AND WITHIN 28 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10546558

Incident

May 17, 2013

Mileage

31,480 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE RATINGS WERE CONFLICTING. THE RIM LABEL INDICATED THAT THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE WAS 60 POUNDS AND THE LABEL ON THE FRAME INDICATED 80 POUNDS. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE CONTRADICTORY RECOMMENDATIONS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID

10511916

Incident

Apr 26, 2013

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V266000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175.

NHTSA ID

10509398

Incident

Jan 26, 2005

Mileage

175 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56, 831.

NHTSA ID

10503708

Incident

Oct 20, 2012

Mileage

56,831 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450 VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE COOLANT HOSE WAS FRACTURED AT THE CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE AND CYLINDER HEADS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE HOSE DUE TO THE PART BEING ON BACK ORDER. THE MECHANIC HAD TO WELD THE HOSE TO STOP THE LEAK BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT PRODUCED THE PART IN OVER A YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

10494448

Incident

Jul 18, 2012

Mileage

115,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED A SWAY BAR BE INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ID

10459089

Incident

May 1, 2011

Mileage

14,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 JAYCO 30FT. MOTORHOME WITH A 2005 FORD E-450 CHASSIS AND THE 6.8L V-10 ENGINE. I AM ON A TRIP FROM GEORGIA TO VERMONT WITH THIS UNIT AND AM TOWING A 2008 SATURN VUE. ON TUESDAY JUNE 21, WHILE TRAVELING AT APROX. 60MPH ON I-85N IN S. CAROLINA, I HAD A COMPLETE AND UNEXPECTED ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITION. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AGAINST THE GUARD RAIL IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION, AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. IT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 5 HOURS. ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 22 WHILE DRIVING ON I-81N IN VIRGINIA THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED, AND ONCE AGAIN I WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND RESTART. AS BEFORE, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 5-6 HOURS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. UPON ARRIVAL AT MY SCHEDULED STOPOVER CAMPGROUND, AND FULLY AWARE AS TO HOW POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS THIS CONDITION COULD BE, I STOPPED MY TRIP AND CONTACTED 'FORD MOTORHOME CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER' ON THEIR TOLL FREE LINE AND DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL. THEY REFERRED ME TO A DEALERSHIP WHICH IS ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HERE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE UNIT UNTIL POSSIBLY NEXT MONDAY, JUNE 27. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WILL BRING THE UNIT TO THEM ON MONDAY. OF COURSE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS SITUATION IS TRYING TO STOP A HEAVY VEHICLE WITH THE ADDED PUSH OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, THE DIFFICULTY IN TRYING TO STEER INTO A SAFE AREA, AND THE FEAR OF THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME NOT STOPPING IN TIME IN ORDER TO PREVENT A REAR END COLLISION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10408869

Incident

Jun 21, 2011

Mileage

44,000 mi

THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ALWAYS GO INTO THE CORRECT GEAR, AS INDICATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN USING THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT ON THE COLUMN, AND PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO "DRIVE", THE VEHICLE GOES INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE GEAR SHIFT IS MOVED TO "REVERSE", IT DOES NOT ENGAGE AND STAYS IN NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES, THE VEHICLE WILL HOVER IN NEUTRAL THEN SUDDENLY ENGAGE INTO 1ST GEAR WITHOUT MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT. THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO FORD'S ATTENTION BY US IN 2007 (11000 MILES) AND 2009 (23000 MILES), AND THE FORD DEALERS COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE LINKAGES. THEY STATED THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE INDICATOR SWITCH, BUT THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM HAS NOW RETURNED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOTS OR OTHER AREAS THAT REQUIRE A CHANGE OF DIRECTION. OUR FORD ENGINE IS INSIDE A CLASS C MOTORHOME, SO WE DON'T HAVE MANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR MOVING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT DOES NOT GO INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL SWITCH GEARS WHILE IN MOTION, CAUSING US TO LOSE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10406809

Incident

Jun 14, 2011

Mileage

11,486 mi

2005 FORD CUTAWAY E450. INSURANCE COMPANY SENT CORRESPONDENCE ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER RELATED TO A FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE CARGO LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. HE STATED AT TIMES, THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DAY OF THE FIRE, THE CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS AND HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS WHEN THE HORN STARTED BLOWING. THE CONSUMER THEN REALIZED THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE INVESTIGATION REPORT, THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE DASH AREA OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. IT WAS ALSO THE OPINION OF THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR, THAT ELECTRICALLY GENERATED HEAT FROM A MALFUNCTION COULD NOT BE RULED OUT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10396316

Incident

Jun 10, 2006

EGR FAILURE WITH 6.0LFORD E-450 SCHOOL BUSES 14050# GVWR LEAVING STUDENTS & DRIVERS STRANDED IN INTERSECTIONS & ROADWAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10277913

Incident

Jul 21, 2009

Mileage

70,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 FORD E450 CUTAWAY 6.0L DIESEL ENGINE AND IT WILL SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION WAS DIAGNOSE BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AS A PROBLEM W/ FICM & PCM COMPUTERS BOTH WHERE REPLACED BY US. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND AFTER LONG HOURS OF RESEARCH FOUND RECALL CAMPAIGN (05V270000) CALL FORD AND THEY INFORMED ME THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS FAILURE OCCURS APROX. 15 MIN AFTER DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEEDS. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND WERE CLOSE TO HAVE VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN CAUSE MAJOR INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC AND OUR EMPLOYEES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10269483

Incident

Apr 11, 2009

Mileage

78,690 mi

REAR TIRE INFLATION LABEL INDICATES IMPROPER PSI FOR GVWR FOR REAR AXLE. LABEL INDICATES 60 PSI. I BELIEVE CORRECT INFLATION ON RECALL 05V-272 IS 80 PSI. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL ACCORDING TO FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. VEHICLE IS A FOUR WINDS SIESTA MOTORHOME TAO015656, VIN BASED ON A FORD E-450 SUPER DUTY CHASSIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10226365

Incident

May 1, 2008

Mileage

5,000 mi

SPRING TOWER CRACKING ON E350 AND E450 FORD CUT AWAY SCHOOL BUSES NOTICED CRACKING DURING REGULAR MAINT. I CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NOT HERD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WE ARE NOW HAVING REPAIRS MADE AT A LOCAL SHOP, WELDING AND REINFORCED, COST $600.00 PER UNIT. PLEASE REFER TO TSB 05-22-16 I RECEIVED THIS TSB ON 4-19-2008 FROM LOCAL CHP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224824

Incident

Mar 28, 2008

Mileage

109,959 mi

FIRE IGNITED AT ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS TO ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS, RIGHT GLOW PLUG WIRING HARNESS, ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS AND FIRE DAMAGED HOSES AND BELTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219326

Incident

Feb 16, 2008

Mileage

75,011 mi

WHEELED COACH TYPE I 4X4 2005 FORD 350E 6 LITER TURBO DIESEL. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE HEAT IN PATIENT COMPARTMENT. COMPARTMENT MEASURES 80 DEGREES WHILE TEMPERATURE FROM CAB MEASURES 190 DEGREES. HAVE DONE 4 TESTS OF RADIATOR FLUID THAT TESTED POSITIVE FOR OIL PRODUCT IN FLUID. HAVE NOW TAKEN VEHICLE TO 3 DIFFERENT CERTIFIED FORD SERVICE CENTERS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE LATE OCTOBER. NEITHER WHEELED COACH OR FORD WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING. A LARGER PUMP WAS INSTALLED, VALVES WERE CHANGED, AND THEY TOLD US THE HEAD GASKETS WERE OKAY. *AK

NHTSA ID

10188110

Incident

Oct 20, 2006

MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10185058

Incident

Mar 2, 2007

Mileage

62,000 mi

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME ON A FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND THE BATTERY GOES TOTALLY DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS. THE DEALER AND FORD TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL, YET I HAVE HAD 5 OTHER MOTOR HOMES ON FORD CHASSIS AND LEFT THEM OUT ALL WINTER AND THE BATTERIES WERE STILL CHARGED IN THE SPRING. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND NO WHERE IN THE FORD LITERATURE OR WINNEBAGO LITERATURE DOES IT MENTION THIS. A MOTORHOME IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT YOU DRIVE EVERY DAY AND THIS COULD END UP LEAVING YOU STRANDED IN THE MOUNTAINS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *NM

NHTSA ID

10177387

Incident

Jan 9, 2006

Mileage

1,997 mi

METROLIFT, THE AWARD WINNING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (HOUSTON METRO) HAS SUFFERED UNREASONABLE REDUCTIONS IN THE QUALITY OF DEPENDABLE SERVICE PROVIDED DUE TO THE VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ENGINE PROBLEMS IN 2004-2005 FORD E450 VANS. METRO HAS UTILIZED THE FORD E-SERIES PARA TRANSIT VAN AS THEIR VEHICLE OF CHOICE FOR TWO DECADES. UNTIL NOW, PAST USAGE HISTORY FOR THE E-SERIES VAN AT METRO HAS PROVEN TO BE GENERALLY RELIABLE. THE CURRENT VEHICLE CONFIGURATION WITH THE 6.0 LITER ENGINE HAS PROVEN TO BE MECHANICALLY UNDEPENDABLE AND PRECARIOUS. WE HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TRANSIT AUTHORITIES. OCTA (ORANGE COUNTY), ISLAND TRANSIT, MARTA, ETC... AND THEY HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS AS WE HAVE. ENCLOSED IS A LETTER FROM THOR INDUSTRIES ADDRESSED TO MR. WILLIAM FORD, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CEO OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXPRESSING SERIOUS SAFETY AND OPERATING ISSUES WITH THE 6.0L DIESEL CHASSIS. WE HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT FORD ANNOUNCED, THEY WILL BE DISCONTINUING PRODUCING THE 6.0 LITER ENGINE AND REPLACE IT WITH A MORE ROBUST 6.4 LITER ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10173662

Incident

Dec 1, 2005

Mileage

15,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THE VEHICLE AS A SHUTTLE BUS, THE BRAKE PADS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED MORE OFTEN. UPDATED 6/30/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10159593

Incident

Dec 19, 2005

Mileage

21,000 mi