FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2002 Ford E-450 problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2002 Ford E-450 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2023. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 17 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford E-450 All 2002 cars
C

FaultScore 42/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford E-450.

How this is worked out

The numbers

16

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

34,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

54%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 28 vs 50 Severity 32 vs 50 Early failure 92 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Ford E-450. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 92
54% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Ford E-450

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Ford E-450

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 5 31.3%

Median failure at 8,058 miles

Electrical System 3 18.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 34,500 mi

Engine & Cooling 3 18.8%

Median failure at 43,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 6.3%

Median failure at 50,829 miles

Lights 1 6.3%

Median failure at 11,315 miles

Body & Structure 1 6.3%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

Brakes 1 6.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 1 6.3%

Median failure at 121,001 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 23.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 15.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 4 30.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 15.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 7.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 7.7%

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.

Nov 2002 peak 2 Aug 2023

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 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.

PE09055 Opened 7 Dec 2009 Closed 21 Apr 2010 ELECTRICAL 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...

EA05005 Opened 22 Mar 2005 Closed 2 Aug 2006 ELECTRICAL 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...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 85,323 miles Hampstead, MD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN EARLY JULY MY VEHICLE SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A VEHICLE COVERED UNDER THE EXISTING FORD RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING. THE DEALER , WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUST 45 DAYS EARLIER, STATED THAT THIS FIRE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WIRING FIRE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL IN PLACE MAY NOT FULLY ADDRESS THE RISK OF FIRE, AND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS THAN HAS BEEN DISCLOSED.

NHTSA complaint #10242340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 43,000 miles Renton, WA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11539428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Anamosa, IA

STRUCTURE:BODY

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)

NHTSA complaint #11244604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,315 miles Palm BAY, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MOTORHOME WITH THE FORD E-450, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY PARK I LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #10702574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,315 miles Palm BAY, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MOTORHOME WITH THE FORD E-450, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY PARK I LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #10702574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,829 miles Indio, CA

ENGINE

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,

NHTSA complaint #10650134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,829 miles Indio, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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,

NHTSA complaint #10650134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,500 miles Kirtland, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10454816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,500 miles Kirtland, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10454816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powhatan, VA

TIRES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10339434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,001 miles Columbus, NC

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #10275088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,323 miles Hampstead, MD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN EARLY JULY MY VEHICLE SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A VEHICLE COVERED UNDER THE EXISTING FORD RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING. THE DEALER , WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUST 45 DAYS EARLIER, STATED THAT THIS FIRE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WIRING FIRE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL IN PLACE MAY NOT FULLY ADDRESS THE RISK OF FIRE, AND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS THAN HAS BEEN DISCLOSED.

NHTSA complaint #10242340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edinburg, TX

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD FAILED ON CONSUMER'S 2002 FORD E450 . *TS

NHTSA complaint #10148692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,058 miles Fincastle, VA

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *NLM THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST.

NHTSA complaint #10048632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,700 miles Parker, CO

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION FROM SIDEWALL ON FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S II. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10019011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,403 miles Punta Gorda, FL

TIRES:SIDEWALL

THE INNER RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. *NLM THE CONSUMER OBSERVED THE RIGHT INSIDE DUAL TIRE SPLIT NEAR THE TREAD LINE ON THE SIDEWALL. (TIRE MODEL-R4 SII) *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10019359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Castle Rock, CO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

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

NHTSA complaint #768563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.