2013 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 2013 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
- Powertrain (other)426.7%
- Brakes213.3%
- Suspension213.3%
- Other / unspecified213.3%
- Steering213.3%
- Heating & air conditioning16.7%
- Electrical16.7%
- Body & structure16.7%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
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
I AM A CONTRACTOR FOR FEDEX HOME DELIVERY AND OWN THE TRUCK IN REFERENCE. AFTER APPROX 4900 MILES, THE TRUCK FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BY FEDEX AND NEEDED THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRES SUFFERED MAJOR/EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR AFTER JUST ONE MONTH ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ADDRESSED UTILIMASTER, THE BODY COMPANY, ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO CONTACT FORD. FORD EXPLAINED THE SAME AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT UTILIMASTER. NEITHER PARTY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT I HAVE NOW SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING, TO DATE. THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRUCK/CHASSIS IS IMPROPER ACCORDING TO A FORD ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A RESOLUTION MUST BE FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. UTILIMASTER BELIEVES THE FIX IS TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES AND GETTING ALIGNMENTS, YET THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO SPEND VALUABLE RESOURCES ON AN ISSUE THAT WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL A PROPER FIX IS MADE OR THE TRUCK IS RECALLED. I KEEP NEEDING TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES BETWEEN 4-6 THOUSAND MILES, AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD BRAND NAME TIRES, SO THE TIRE IS NOT THE ISSUE. ALL RECEIPTS, DOCUMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS OTHER CONTRACTORS WITH SIMILAR 2012/2013 TRUCKS AND THEY ALL SUFFER THE SAME ISSUE(S). *TR
DURING MY 1500 MILE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE SERVICE, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKING HYDRO BOOST UNIT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY OVER-TIGHTENING OF A BOLT ON THE UNIT THAT STRIPPED THE THREAD AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE BOOSTER AND ASSOCIATED HOSES OR LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM A CONTRACTOR FOR FEDEX HOME DELIVERY AND OWN THE TRUCK IN REFERENCE. AFTER APPROX 4900 MILES, THE TRUCK FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BY FEDEX AND NEEDED THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRES SUFFERED MAJOR/EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR AFTER JUST ONE MONTH ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ADDRESSED UTILIMASTER, THE BODY COMPANY, ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO CONTACT FORD. FORD EXPLAINED THE SAME AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT UTILIMASTER. NEITHER PARTY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT I HAVE NOW SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING, TO DATE. THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRUCK/CHASSIS IS IMPROPER ACCORDING TO A FORD ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A RESOLUTION MUST BE FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. UTILIMASTER BELIEVES THE FIX IS TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES AND GETTING ALIGNMENTS, YET THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO SPEND VALUABLE RESOURCES ON AN ISSUE THAT WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL A PROPER FIX IS MADE OR THE TRUCK IS RECALLED. I KEEP NEEDING TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES BETWEEN 4-6 THOUSAND MILES, AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD BRAND NAME TIRES, SO THE TIRE IS NOT THE ISSUE. ALL RECEIPTS, DOCUMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS OTHER CONTRACTORS WITH SIMILAR 2012/2013 TRUCKS AND THEY ALL SUFFER THE SAME ISSUE(S). *TR
STEERING IS HEAVY, (HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN), DOES NOT ROTATE AND/OR RETURN EASILY AND SMOOTHLY. THE OPERATOR/DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO MANUALLY ASSIST THE RETURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER, DOES NOT HAVE RETURN ABILITY TO CENTER HOME POSITION ON ITS OWN. SAFETY IS #1; HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN RAISES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN WITH THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV BEING UNSAFE, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND/OR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE OPERATOR/DRIVER CONSISTENTLY NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A WHITE KNUCKLE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR INTERVENTION FROM OPERATOR/DRIVER THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, AND WILL NOT RETURN AND CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION. THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV TRACKS SIDE TO SIDE FROM UNEVEN OR GROOVED PAYMENT SURFACES CAUSING A WOBBLING EFFECT. ANOTHER EFFECT WHEN A LARGER VEHICLE IN SIZE PASSES ON THE FREEWAY CAN BE DISTURBING AS NOTED. THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV IS PUSHED TO THE RIGHT OVER THE WHITE FOG LINE INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. OPERATOR/DRIVER MUST USE A COUNTER STEERING MEASURE BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT INTO THE PASSING VEHICLE, THEN BACK STRAIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSES. THIS ACTION REQUIRES OPERATOR/DRIVER TO USE CONSTANT MONITORING VISUALLY AND PHYSICALLY OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT/FORWARD LINE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM A CONTRACTOR FOR FEDEX HOME DELIVERY AND OWN THE TRUCK IN REFERENCE. AFTER APPROX 4900 MILES, THE TRUCK FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BY FEDEX AND NEEDED THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRES SUFFERED MAJOR/EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR AFTER JUST ONE MONTH ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ADDRESSED UTILIMASTER, THE BODY COMPANY, ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO CONTACT FORD. FORD EXPLAINED THE SAME AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT UTILIMASTER. NEITHER PARTY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT I HAVE NOW SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING, TO DATE. THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRUCK/CHASSIS IS IMPROPER ACCORDING TO A FORD ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A RESOLUTION MUST BE FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. UTILIMASTER BELIEVES THE FIX IS TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES AND GETTING ALIGNMENTS, YET THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO SPEND VALUABLE RESOURCES ON AN ISSUE THAT WILL CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL A PROPER FIX IS MADE OR THE TRUCK IS RECALLED. I KEEP NEEDING TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES BETWEEN 4-6 THOUSAND MILES, AND THEY ARE VERY GOOD BRAND NAME TIRES, SO THE TIRE IS NOT THE ISSUE. ALL RECEIPTS, DOCUMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NUMEROUS OTHER CONTRACTORS WITH SIMILAR 2012/2013 TRUCKS AND THEY ALL SUFFER THE SAME ISSUE(S). *TR
THIS IS A CLASS "C" MOTORHOME MANUFACTURED BY JAYCO WITH OPTIONAL ALUMINUM WHEELS. (JAYCO GREYHAWK 31FK) ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE ALUMINUM RIMS IS STAMPED "DO NOT EXCEED 60 PSI". THE MOTORHOME COMES WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES RATED AT A MAX. OF 80 PSI. THE JAYCO PLCARD ON THE DOOR JAM STATES THAT THE REAR TIRES MUST BE INFLATED TO 80 PSI. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING IS HEAVY, (HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN), DOES NOT ROTATE AND/OR RETURN EASILY AND SMOOTHLY. THE OPERATOR/DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO MANUALLY ASSIST THE RETURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER, DOES NOT HAVE RETURN ABILITY TO CENTER HOME POSITION ON ITS OWN. SAFETY IS #1; HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN RAISES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN WITH THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV BEING UNSAFE, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND/OR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE OPERATOR/DRIVER CONSISTENTLY NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A WHITE KNUCKLE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR INTERVENTION FROM OPERATOR/DRIVER THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, AND WILL NOT RETURN AND CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION. THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV TRACKS SIDE TO SIDE FROM UNEVEN OR GROOVED PAYMENT SURFACES CAUSING A WOBBLING EFFECT. ANOTHER EFFECT WHEN A LARGER VEHICLE IN SIZE PASSES ON THE FREEWAY CAN BE DISTURBING AS NOTED. THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV IS PUSHED TO THE RIGHT OVER THE WHITE FOG LINE INTO THE BREAK DOWN LANE. OPERATOR/DRIVER MUST USE A COUNTER STEERING MEASURE BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT INTO THE PASSING VEHICLE, THEN BACK STRAIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSES. THIS ACTION REQUIRES OPERATOR/DRIVER TO USE CONSTANT MONITORING VISUALLY AND PHYSICALLY OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT/FORWARD LINE. *TR
DURING MY 1500 MILE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE SERVICE, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKING HYDRO BOOST UNIT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY OVER-TIGHTENING OF A BOLT ON THE UNIT THAT STRIPPED THE THREAD AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE BOOSTER AND ASSOCIATED HOSES OR LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY DUE TO LIVING IN A HOT CLIMATE STATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
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
NO CRANK NO START WITH ANTITHEFT ON . LOST COMMUNICATION
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT "SLIDE-OUT" DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
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 .