FaultScore

FaultScore report

2013 Ford E-450 problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2013 Ford E-450 with NHTSA between 2014 and 2018. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 13 of 17 worst.

B

FaultScore 34/100

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

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

4,900 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

64%

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 0 vs 50 Early failure 100 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 — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
64% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2013 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 2013 Ford E-450

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

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 25.0%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

Wheels 2 12.5%

Median failure at 4,900 miles

Suspension 2 12.5%

Median failure at 3,376 miles

Brakes 2 12.5%

Median failure at 3,149 miles

Steering 2 12.5%

Median failure at 1,626 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 6.3%

Median failure at 11,800 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 6.3%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 6.3%

Median failure at 2,500 miles

Electrical System 1 6.3%

When it fails

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

1,000 – 9,999 miles 8 57.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 7.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 7.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 28.6%

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.

Jan 2014 peak 4 Aug 2018

The most recent complaints

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

Pace, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NO CRANK NO START WITH ANTITHEFT ON . LOST COMMUNICATION

NHTSA complaint #11120875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,800 miles Murrieta, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS IS A JAYCO GREYHAWK 31' RV. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP IT WILL NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY UPON BEING SHUT OFF. IT WILL ONLY START AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

NHTSA complaint #11093698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Glencoe, MN

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11073007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Glencoe, MN

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11073008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Glencoe, MN

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11073009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles Glencoe, MN

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11073012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,500 miles Toquoson, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

NHTSA complaint #10895001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Tampa, FL

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10785985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,900 miles Southampton, PA

WHEELS

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).

NHTSA complaint #10608123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,900 miles Southampton, PA

SUSPENSION

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).

NHTSA complaint #10608123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,900 miles Southampton, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

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).

NHTSA complaint #10608123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plattsburgh, NY

WHEELS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10604912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,853 miles Baker City, OR

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10564260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,853 miles Baker City, OR

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #10564260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,399 miles Mariaville, ME

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10561282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,399 miles Mariaville, ME

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10561282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.