FaultScore

FaultScore report

2017 Ford E-450 problems

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2017 Ford E-450 with NHTSA between 2017 and 2022. The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers. Across this model's run it ranks 14 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

6,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

100%

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
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2017 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 2017 Ford E-450

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

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 18.8%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 2 12.5%

Median failure at 17,000 miles

Steering 2 12.5%

Median failure at 10,547 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 12.5%

Median failure at 1,944 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 6.3%
Doors, Latches & Locks 1 6.3%
Lights 1 6.3%
Suspension 1 6.3%

Median failure at 1,094 miles

Body & Structure 1 6.3%
Brakes 1 6.3%

Median failure at 20,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 6.3%

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.

Jun 2017 peak 3 Oct 2022

NHTSA investigations into the 2017 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.

PE20021 Opened 23 Nov 2020 Closed 13 Dec 2024 EQUIPMENT

Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures

On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles.The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become porous and brittle over time and can break without warning, causing the vehicle owner to be unable to...

The most recent complaints

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

at 17,000 miles Vernonia, OR

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

The contact owns a 2018 Jayco Greyhawk built on a 2017 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated that the hydraulic tank was leaking fluid onto the ground. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic leveling system had detached. The dealer patched the hole in the hydraulic tank; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA complaint #11488321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 17,000 miles Vernonia, OR

EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2018 Jayco Greyhawk built on a 2017 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated that the hydraulic tank was leaking fluid onto the ground. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic leveling system had detached. The dealer patched the hole in the hydraulic tank; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA complaint #11488321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethlehem, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While in standard shuttle route emergency egress window imploded inward. This is the 3rd occurrence. Vehicle is a 2017 Ford E-450 Chassis with an Elkhart Coach ECII 25 PASSENGERS PLUS DRIVER shuttle body.

NHTSA complaint #11482879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethlehem, PA

STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

While in standard shuttle route emergency egress window imploded inward. This is the 3rd occurrence. Vehicle is a 2017 Ford E-450 Chassis with an Elkhart Coach ECII 25 PASSENGERS PLUS DRIVER shuttle body.

NHTSA complaint #11482879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSIONS 6R140 HAVE PREMATURE FAILURE THIS IS OUR 6TH TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN OUR 5 VANS, WHEN TRANSMISSION GOES OUT, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS WHICH RESULTS IN VEHICLE STALLING IN ROAD WAY THE VEHICLE WHILE JERK REALLY HARD AND GIVE DRIVE WHIPLASH AND WHEN VEHICLE IS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS THE VAN WILL SLAM TO A STOP, STALL THEN START ROLLING BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS WITH NO BRAKES OR POWERSTEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DRIVER HAS NO BREAKS OR POWERSTEERING AND MOST TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED THE DRIVER CANT QUICKLY RESTART THE VAN TO REGAIN POWERSTEERING OR BRAKES BECAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS STUCK AND WONT ALLOW STARTER TO TURN OVER ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN BY FORD JANUARY 2022 AND IT IS NOW AUGUST 2022 AND THIS TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO FAILED AND PRESENTED THE SAME SAFETY SITUATION WITH STALLING AND JERKING. FORD IS SET TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND TOLD BY DEALER THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THIS CONSTANT FAILURE IN ALL VANS AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE 6R140 (FORD F-250, F-350 AND E-350, E-450).

NHTSA complaint #11479886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hemlock, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CAMPAIGN:16V465000 RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2015-2017 FORESTER MOTORHOMES WATER MAY LEAK INTO THE ELECTRICAL MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHT DIMLY LIGHTS 2 OF THE LEDS IN THE FIXTURE. DO NOT KNOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED JUST NOTICED WHEN TAKING OUT OF STORAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY / OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11400367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington, WA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE DOOR HAD A TRIMARK DOOR LOCK. THE CONTACT BECAME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BUNGEE CORD WAS USED TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED. THE DOOR WAS DAMAGED FROM FAILING TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11278257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Ellenton, FL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT ADEQUATELY CLEAR THE DRIVERS VIEW. IT'S TRAVEL STOPS NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF THE DRIVERS VIEW LEAVING MUCH OF THE ROAD INCLUDING PART OF DRIVING LANE AND THE ONCOMING LANES. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. MANUFACTURER THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING IT THAT WAY FOR 5 YEARS AND AREN'T GOING TO CHANGE IT. *TR

NHTSA complaint #11266636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Cheyenne, WY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THOR 2017 VEGAS MOTORCOACH--WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT CLEAR DRIVERS SIDE OF WINDSHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE ROAD IN RAIN OR SNOW CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11258741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Macomb, MI

STEERING

SUDDEN BRAKE SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING LOSS. VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED FROM THE STORAGE LOT HEADING TOWARDS MAIN ROADWAY (LOW SPEED) WHEN IT MADE A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE; BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT AND LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID, COULD SEE FLUID LEAKING BENEATH VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE MAIN ROADWAY AND DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFETY DRIVEN; NEED TO CALL FOR A TOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON; VEHICLE CANNOT BE TOWED TO DEALER UNTIL MONDAY FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. VEHICLE MAINTAINED AT THE FORD DEALER AND AT GENERAL RV; VEHICLE IS A THOR FOUR WINDS MOTORHOME ON A 2017 FORD E-450 CHASSIS. VEHICLE HAD RECENT SERVICE AT FORD DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE/MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA complaint #11243188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20,000 miles Macomb, MI

SERVICE BRAKES

SUDDEN BRAKE SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING LOSS. VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED FROM THE STORAGE LOT HEADING TOWARDS MAIN ROADWAY (LOW SPEED) WHEN IT MADE A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE; BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT AND LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID, COULD SEE FLUID LEAKING BENEATH VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE MAIN ROADWAY AND DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFETY DRIVEN; NEED TO CALL FOR A TOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON; VEHICLE CANNOT BE TOWED TO DEALER UNTIL MONDAY FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. VEHICLE MAINTAINED AT THE FORD DEALER AND AT GENERAL RV; VEHICLE IS A THOR FOUR WINDS MOTORHOME ON A 2017 FORD E-450 CHASSIS. VEHICLE HAD RECENT SERVICE AT FORD DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE/MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA complaint #11243188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,000 miles Vallejo, CA

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD E-450. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

NHTSA complaint #11171508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,794 miles Angleton, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND HEAT ENTERED INTO THE CABIN FROM THE FLOORBOARD. GULF COAST FORD IN ANGLETON, TEXAS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REBUILT THE ENGINE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A CYLINDER MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,794.

NHTSA complaint #11102824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,094 miles Summerfield, FL

STEERING

THIS IS A 24' MOTORHOME. 2017 FORD E-450/ WHILE DRIVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, IF VEHICLE IS TRAVELING 50 MPH OR MORE, THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS HAVE A DELAYED REACTION TO THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS VERY STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PASSING AT A GREATER SPEED THAN I AM TRAVELING. SOMETIMES, THROWING MY VEHICLE ALMOST OFF THE ROAD, BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE I AM IN DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, THE COUNTER STEERING DOESN'T RESPOND IMMEDIATELY, HENCE IT IS VERY DELAYED. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE OFF THE GROUND, FLOATING ON AIR OR NOT GRABBING THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY ON HIGHWAYS, BUT ALSO ON CITY STREETS. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MOTORHOME DEALER, THEY CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL??? VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1094 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION AND PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY WHEN I TRAVELED OVER 50MPH. I REQUESTED A REFUND AFTER THE 4TH DAY OF OWNERSHIP BUT THE DEALER REFUSED MY REQUEST. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS. GOT A RECALL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDING TIGHTENING. PLEASE ADVISE WHEN THE DEALER WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WAS IT BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT IN APRIL 2017. WAS IT LEGAL FOR THEM TO SELL ME THIS MOTORHOME KNOWING THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10993131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,094 miles Summerfield, FL

SUSPENSION

THIS IS A 24' MOTORHOME. 2017 FORD E-450/ WHILE DRIVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, IF VEHICLE IS TRAVELING 50 MPH OR MORE, THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS HAVE A DELAYED REACTION TO THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS VERY STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PASSING AT A GREATER SPEED THAN I AM TRAVELING. SOMETIMES, THROWING MY VEHICLE ALMOST OFF THE ROAD, BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE I AM IN DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, THE COUNTER STEERING DOESN'T RESPOND IMMEDIATELY, HENCE IT IS VERY DELAYED. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE OFF THE GROUND, FLOATING ON AIR OR NOT GRABBING THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY ON HIGHWAYS, BUT ALSO ON CITY STREETS. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MOTORHOME DEALER, THEY CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL??? VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1094 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION AND PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY WHEN I TRAVELED OVER 50MPH. I REQUESTED A REFUND AFTER THE 4TH DAY OF OWNERSHIP BUT THE DEALER REFUSED MY REQUEST. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS. GOT A RECALL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDING TIGHTENING. PLEASE ADVISE WHEN THE DEALER WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WAS IT BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT IN APRIL 2017. WAS IT LEGAL FOR THEM TO SELL ME THIS MOTORHOME KNOWING THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10993131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,094 miles Summerfield, FL

ENGINE

THIS IS A 24' MOTORHOME. 2017 FORD E-450/ WHILE DRIVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, IF VEHICLE IS TRAVELING 50 MPH OR MORE, THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS HAVE A DELAYED REACTION TO THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS VERY STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PASSING AT A GREATER SPEED THAN I AM TRAVELING. SOMETIMES, THROWING MY VEHICLE ALMOST OFF THE ROAD, BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE I AM IN DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, THE COUNTER STEERING DOESN'T RESPOND IMMEDIATELY, HENCE IT IS VERY DELAYED. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE OFF THE GROUND, FLOATING ON AIR OR NOT GRABBING THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY ON HIGHWAYS, BUT ALSO ON CITY STREETS. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MOTORHOME DEALER, THEY CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL??? VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1094 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION AND PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY WHEN I TRAVELED OVER 50MPH. I REQUESTED A REFUND AFTER THE 4TH DAY OF OWNERSHIP BUT THE DEALER REFUSED MY REQUEST. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS. GOT A RECALL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDING TIGHTENING. PLEASE ADVISE WHEN THE DEALER WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WAS IT BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT IN APRIL 2017. WAS IT LEGAL FOR THEM TO SELL ME THIS MOTORHOME KNOWING THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #10993131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.