RoadVitals

2008 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.
6
Latest Mar 27, 2023
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.
8
Latest Feb 25, 2015
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.
1
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Ford E-450, most frequently naming the engine, tires & wheels and driver assistance categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 18 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

  • Engine222.2%
  • Tires & wheels222.2%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Other / unspecified111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
15V112000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Feb 25, 2015
117 units potentially affected
The defect: Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The remedy: Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Farber Specialty VehiclesManufacturer number 14E-041View on NHTSA.gov
14V595000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Sep 24, 2014
437 units potentially affected
The defect: Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-350 and Ford E-450 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to May 1, 2014 and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The remedy: Elkhart will notify owners to take the vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Owners may also contact Elkhart customer service at 1-574-264-5179. This recall has been superseded by campaign 15V-768.
Elkhart CoachView on NHTSA.gov
10V128000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Apr 2, 2010
41 units potentially affected
The defect: ELKHART COACH HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.
The risk: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.
The remedy: ELKHART COACH IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-322-2884, EMAILING AT [email protected].
ELKHART COACHView 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 27, 2023

The component that failed was the transmission and transmission pump. We have receipts and digital verification of this situation as a common problem with this Ford model. Our safety was put at risk as the vehicle suddenly lost power on the highway in a rural area and we had to drift with what speed we had left to the right lane shoulder and hope there was a shoulder as we could not back up or go forward. The vehicle is in claims processing with insurance, however 3 experts in the auto industry reported this a common problem for this make/model of Ford. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure--specifically there is not a dash gauge for the transmission temperature and there should be.

NHTSA ID
11514039
Incident
Feb 15, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 22, 2013

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HWY ENGINE LOSS POWER. TRUCK WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPG. APPROX THREE MONTHS LATER IT DONE IT AGAIN. ON TWO MORE TIMES IT SHUT OFF ON INTERSTATE . *TR

NHTSA ID
10556951
Incident
Dec 17, 2013
Mileage
20,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Nov 5, 2013

PURCHASED THIS MOTOR-HOME NEW IN 2009. DROVE THE MOTOR-HOME 4 YEARS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. IN MAY OF 2013, I PURCHASED 6 DELTA ESSENTIAL TIRES ( LT225/75R16 ) TO REPLACE THE OLD TIRES THAT WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CRACKS IN THE SIDE WALLS. THEN WE TOOK A 7500 MILE TRIP ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BACK WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION OF MY TIRES I FOUND A BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF A REAR PASSENGER INSIDE DUAL TIRE. THE TIRE DEALER REPLACED THAT TIRE AT NO COST. ABOUT TWO MONTH LATER 10/09/2013, WE LEFT ON A TRIP TO DISNEY IN FLORIDA. ON 10/10/2013 WHILE ON I-95 SOUTH BOUND NEAR MIDWAY, GA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTSIDE REAR DUAL TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO 2 COMPARTMENTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE HAD THE TIRE REPLACED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ( I-95) WHERE IT HAD BLOWN AND THEN FOUND A PLACE TO STAY FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING 10/11/2013, BEFORE WE CONTINUED OUR TRIP I PERFORMED MY USUAL PRE-TRIP INSPECTION CONCENTRATING ON THE TIRES AND NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL. AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS INTO THE TRIP NEAR ORMOND,FLORIDA THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE REAR DUAL TREAD SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO 2 COMPARTMENT ON THAT SIDE. WE ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A TIRE FROM ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THAT TIRE DUE TO BEING OUT OF SPARES. WE FINISHED THE TRIP AND RETURNED HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE TIRE DEALER AND INSURANCE COMPANY IN MAKING REPAIRS TO OUR MOTOR-HOME. MY MAIN CONCERN IS 3 OUT OF 6 TIRES FAILED UNDER 10,000 MILES AND THESE TIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. AS A NOTE I DO CHECK MY TIRES ROUTINELY... *TR

NHTSA ID
10551008
Incident
Oct 10, 2013
Mileage
36,986 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ECONOLINE E450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED FUEL. HE ALSO CHECKED THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINES AND DIDN'T OBSERVED ANY DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A BAD SEAM WELD ON THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7921 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7852. UPDATED 12/22/09

NHTSA ID
10294291
Incident
Nov 12, 2009
Mileage
7,852 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 13, 2009

2008 FORD E450, GULFSTREAM CLASS "C" MOTOR HOME. NO ACCIDENT. OBSERVED SEVERE CRACKING IN ALL TIRES, DRYROT. LATER QUESTION TO ID WHICH TIRE, LISTED RF. IT IS ALL 6 TIRES ON GROUND AND SPARE. 7 TOTAL. TOOK IN TO DEALER THIS DATE. THE CONTACTED MFG. MFG OK'ED REPLACEMENT HOWEVER REQUIRES 20% PAYMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261754
Incident
Mar 13, 2009
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD E450 HE PURCHASED IN 2007. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, HE FELT THAT THE ACCELERATOR IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IT IS A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,300.

NHTSA ID
10236523
Incident
Dec 2, 2007
Mileage
150 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

SSM 52476

EQUIPMENT

All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.

SSM 51909

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes.

SSM 47201

EQUIPMENT

Replacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle. Only approved Genuine Ford accessories or originally installed systems are supported and certified to function correctly with other vehicle systems. If you suspect a system has been modified, the following resources can be used to verify original equipment: Monroney Label (Window Sticker), Professional Technician Society (PTS) OASIS tab  select SYNC or HVBOM. For Genuine Ford accessories use: PTS Workshop Tab  select Dealer Installed Accessory or Accessory Installation.

SSM 47009

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

The Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE). The master code for the Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can be retrieved from FMCDealer - Parts and Service - Parts Product Line Information - Keys/Entry Devices - Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Access to this site is granted through Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES) and Dealer Principal, General Manager or Parts and Service Director can authorize users. Once authorized the retrieval process for master code can be obtained. The master code for the Accessory Keyless Entry Keypad cannot be retrieved from the body control module(BCM) with a diagnostic tool.

ASI-44534

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FORD: WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE AND/OR DURING 2-3 SHIFT, AN INTERMITTENT CLUNK OCCURS WITH A TORQSHIFT TRANSMISSION. MODEL 2003-2014 F-SUPER DUTY, E SERIES, EXCURSION, F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS, LOW CAB FORWARD. *PE

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—
2008Viewing681—
20071211163.3
20062012162.1
2005347157.4
2004276154.8
2003185154.1
2002133252.2
2001162346.4
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.