Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 2001 Ford E-450 with NHTSA between 2001 and 2021.
The largest single group is the tires.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 17 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Ford E-450. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 64
38% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 Ford E-450
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
840.0%
Median failure at 28,500 miles
Suspension
525.0%
Brakes
315.0%
Median failure at 19,750 miles
Engine & Cooling
315.0%
Median failure at 95,356 miles
Airbags
15.0%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
225.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
225.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
337.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2001peak 4Oct 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Ford E-450
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE09055Opened 7 Dec 2009Closed 21 Apr 2010ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
HVAC Switch Failures
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 th...
EA05005Opened 22 Mar 2005Closed 2 Aug 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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 VEHIC...
EA02018Opened 19 Aug 2002Closed 22 Aug 2003TIRES
RAPID TIRE DEFLATION
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, H...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 61,000 milesNew Philadelphia, OH
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11438020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,500 milesTustin, CA
TIRES
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?
NHTSA complaint #10281269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,750 milesBrownstown, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10165693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,500 milesWilliston, SC
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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.
NHTSA complaint #10164958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,356 milesEvergeen, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVING ON I70 IN DENVER, BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS TIME IT STRIPPED ALL THE THREADS OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10143249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,356 milesEvergreen, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10143250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,292 milesEvergreen, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10140175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sulphur Springs, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
A CRACK IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING TOWER FRAME ON A 2001 FORD E-450 AMBULANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10122076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,400 milesSanta Maria, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I HAVE A 2001 JAYCO 33' CLASS C MOTOR HOME ON A FORD E-450 V-10 CHASSIS. I WAS TRAVELING ON HI I 5 SOUTH ABOUT 45 MILES FROM SACRAMENTO, AT 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR DUAL TIRES BLEW OUT. THE OUTSIDE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF AND FLEW ONTO THE HAWAII, THE INSIDE DUAL TREAD CAME OFF AND WRAPPED AROUND THE AXEL. THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT/225/75R16. I HAVE BOTH COMPLETE TREADS AND THE INSIDE IS VERY SMOOTH ALL THE WAY AROUND. I HAVE WHAT IS LEFT OF THE REST OF THE TIRES. I CONTACTED FORD AND FIRESTONE ON SEPT. 19TH AND GAVE THE SAME REPORT. THE BLOWOUTS CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO THE MOTOR HOME STORAGE COMPARTMENT. FORD TOOK MY INFO AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT FORD WOULD DO WITH THE INFO. FIRESTONE SAID THEY WOULD SEND ME COMPLAINT FORMS. I AM TELLING YOU FOLKS ABOUT THIS AS I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND FIRESTONE HAS BEEN NO HELP. I THINK THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MY WIFE AND I CREDIT THE EXCELLENT DESIGN, AND PERFORMANCE OF THE FORD VEHICLE AND BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAD NO TROUBLE HANDLING THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING OTHER THAN THE CRAZY DRIVERS THAT WOULD NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY. I CAN SEND PICTURES OF THE TIRES TO YOU BY EMAIL IF YOU WANT. I AM POSITIVE THAT I WAS NOT OVERWEIGHT AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS CORRECT. THE INSIDE TIRE HAD ABOUT 5 TO 7000 MILES ON IT AND THE OUTSIDE HAD ABOUT 42000 ON IT HOWEVER THERE IS A LOT OF TREAD LEFT. I HAD TWO OTHER BLOWOUTS IN NOVEMBER 2002 NEAR BARSTOW, CALIF. THE RIGHT FRONT BLEW FROM A ROAD HAZARD AND WHEN I GOT HOME THE INSIDE RIGHT DUAL WAS FLAT. I BOUGHT TWO NEW MICHELINS TIRES FOR THE FRONT. MY TIRE SHOP SAID THE OTHERS WERE GOOD TO USE. I AM TAKING RV TO MY TIRE SHOP ON SEPT. 22 AND GETTING ALL FIRESTONE TIRES TAKEN OFF AND PUTTING ON MICHELIN'S. I HAVE ALSO HAD 3 FLATS ON THIS MH IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. I THINK IT WAS VALVE STEM FAILURES. PLEASE RESPOND BY PHONE OR EMAIL PRIOR TO OCT 3RD.
NHTSA complaint #10039194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT22575R16 TREAD SEPERATION. TIRE PRES:75PSI, SPEED 65, TEMP:80F, ROAD SURFACE: SMOOTH HIGHWAY,. THIS IS ALSO THE THIRD TIRE FAILURE ON THIS RV. ( AT WORK OUR FORD SUV HAS HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES JUST LIKE MY RV)
NHTSA complaint #10019151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olney, TX
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WE BELIEVE THIS MOTOR HOME WAS SOLD TO US WITH DEALERSHIP KNOWING OF AXLE PROBLEM, CAUSING RV UNABLE TO HAVE WHEEL ALIGNMENT CORRECTED. FRONT REAR AXLE HAS SLIPPED CAUSING DRIVING HAZARD. MAY HAVE CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. RV HAD NUMEROUS SMALLER PROBLEMS WITH THIS LAST ONE BEING THE WORST. THIS HAS CAUSED US LOTS OF LOSS OF TIME TO TRAVEL AND ENJOY THE RV. WAS ADVISED NOT TO TAKE ANY LONG TRIPS BECAUSE OF PROBLEM. WAS ON A VACATION WHEN PROBLEM WITH SHOWER PAN OCCURED AND SHADE BROKE AND DRAWERS BROKE. AT SAME TIME REFRIGERATOR LEAKED WATER ONTO WOOD FLOOR, WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.IN ADDITION, THIS HAS CREATED AN IMPAIRMENT OF MARKET VALUE BECAUSE OF DEFECTS IN THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #765973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, MN
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I94 IN MPLS, WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. I HAD 3 KIDS IN THE RV AND A BOAT BEHIND. ALMOST LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO STEER RV TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. THE ENTIRE TIRE HAD BEEN COMPLETED DEMOLISHED. IT LOOKS LIKE COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION, SIMILAR TO OTHER FIRESTONE ISSUES. TIRE DAMAGED UNDERNEATH STORAGE COMPARTMENT OF THE RV, COST ME $200 FOR EMERGENCY ROADSIDE REPAIR, APPROX. $2000 IN DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, AND COST OF A NEW SPARE (WHICH I HAVEN'T BOUGHT YET). I WAS TRAVELLING THE SPEED LIMIT, NO ROAD ISSUES, NO OBJECTS - NOTHING. TIRE COMPLETING SEPARATED WITH NO PROVOCATION. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, ALONG WITH MY ENTIRE FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #765194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicsburg, PA
TIRES
I HAD TWO OF THESE TIRES BLEW OUT WITHIN 400 MILES OF EACH OTHER. IF YPU PUT THE TIRES SIDE BY SIDE THE DAMAGE TO TIRES LOOK ALMOST EXACTLEY THE SAME. THER IS 10,000 MILES ON THESE TIRES. THE SIDEWALL ON BOTH TIRES SEPERATE FROM THREAD.
NHTSA complaint #762399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philip, SD
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE DUAL TIRES, BOTH ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. FIRST INCIDENT THE ENTIRE FACE CAME OFF THE RIGHT SIDE LEAVING ONLY THE SIDEWALLS, SECOND INCIDENT HAD PARTIAL SEPARATION OF TREAD.(FIRESTONE TIRES LT225/75R16 DOT#8X1L 1X1 4700 DH5515X D08R, THE SECOND TIRE WAS A DOT 8X1L 1X1 4700 DH515X D16R)
NHTSA complaint #564088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philip, SD
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BLOW OUT OF THE RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE DUAL TIRES, BOTH ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. FIRST INCIDENT THE ENTIRE FACE CAME OFF THE RIGHT SIDE LEAVING ONLY THE SIDEWALLS, SECOND INCIDENT HAD PARTIAL SEPARATION OF TREAD.(FIRESTONE TIRES LT225/75R16 DOT#8X1L 1X1 4700 DH5515X D08R, THE SECOND TIRE WAS A DOT 8X1L 1X1 4700 DH515X D16R)
NHTSA complaint #564088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST George, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BODY DESIGN IS TOO LARGE FOR E450 VAN CUTAWAY, BRAKES CAN NOT HANDLE WEIGHT. STOPPING DISTANCE IS IMPAIRED. VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE IN TURNS AND CRASHS. BRAKES LAST 20,000 MILES TO 30,000 MILES, TIRES THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #750162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST George, UT
SUSPENSION
BODY DESIGN IS TOO LARGE FOR E450 VAN CUTAWAY, BRAKES CAN NOT HANDLE WEIGHT. STOPPING DISTANCE IS IMPAIRED. VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE IN TURNS AND CRASHS. BRAKES LAST 20,000 MILES TO 30,000 MILES, TIRES THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #750162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST George, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BODY DESIGN IS TOO LARGE FOR E450 VAN CUTAWAY, BRAKES CAN NOT HANDLE WEIGHT. STOPPING DISTANCE IS IMPAIRED. VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE IN TURNS AND CRASHS. BRAKES LAST 20,000 MILES TO 30,000 MILES, TIRES THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #750162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST George, UT
SUSPENSION
BODY DESIGN IS TOO LARGE FOR E450 VAN CUTAWAY, BRAKES CAN NOT HANDLE WEIGHT. STOPPING DISTANCE IS IMPAIRED. VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE IN TURNS AND CRASHS. BRAKES LAST 20,000 MILES TO 30,000 MILES, TIRES THE SAME.
NHTSA complaint #750162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR
DURING T WO TRIPS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WE ENCOUNTERED WINDS FROM 10 TO 30 MPH. ON THESE OCCASIONS I FOUND IT NECESSARY TO SLOW DOWN TO 40 TO 50 MPH SPEED IN ORDER TO CONTROL MOTOR HOME. I HAD TO KEEP THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED AT 45 TO 90 DEGREES TO KEEP THE UNIT GOING STRAIGHT. ADDITIONALLY EACH TIME A 18 WHEEL TRUCK PASSED I HAD TO HOLD THE WHEEL TIGHTLY, AS THE UNIT WAS PUSHED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FILLED WITH 55 GALLONS (330 LBS) THE STEERING CHANGES COMPLETELY. THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK FEELS LIGHT. THE TRUCK WANDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. SOME ONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED WHEN THEY OVER STEER ATTEMPTING TO KEEP THE UNIT GOING STRAIGHT EVEN IN MILD WINDS. WARRANTY STATEMENT BY WINNEBAGO: ITEMS NOT SUBJECT TO WARRANTY COVERAGE: CHASSIS. THESE ITEMS ARE COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS INDIVIDUAL WARRANTY. WARRANTY STATEMENT BY FORD: WARRANTY IS VOID IF: ALTERING OR MODIFYING THE VEHICLE-INCLUDING THE BODY CHASSIS OR COMPONENT - AFTER THE VEHICLE LEAVES FORDS'S CONTROL. THE POSSIBLE REASON FOR SWAYING AND LOOSE STEERING ARE. WINNEBAGO ADDED 4 FEET TO THE FORD CHASSIS. THE PURPOSE WAS TO ADD A SLIDE OUT BEHING THE REAR WHEELS. THIS ADDED ADDITIONAL WEIGHT BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS. WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK ADDITIONAL WEIGHT IS ADDED BEHIND REAR WHEELS CAUSING STEERING TO CHANGE UNTIL GAS IS USED. WINNEBAGO DID NOT ALTER OR IMPROVE THE SUSPENSION PROVIDED BY FORD EVEN THOUGH THEY MODIFIED THE LENGTH OF THE CHASSIS.
NHTSA complaint #748754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.