FaultScore

Ford E-450 acceleration problems

28 of the 546 complaints filed about the Ford E-450 are about the throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2021.

28

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

2

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

1993 E-450 4 14.3%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

1999 E-450 2 7.1%

Median failure at 38,646 miles

2000 E-450 1 3.6%

Median failure at 116,000 miles

2003 E-450 5 17.9%

Median failure at 136,392 miles

2004 E-450 1 3.6%

Median failure at 11,300 miles

2005 E-450 2 7.1%
2008 E-450 1 3.6%
2010 E-450 1 3.6%

Median failure at 14,000 miles

2011 E-450 1 3.6%

Median failure at 14,500 miles

2016 E-450 2 7.1%

Median failure at 141,000 miles

2021 E-450 7 25.0%

Median failure at 10,500 miles

2023 E-450 1 3.6%

Median failure at 1,395 miles

What owners said

2016 Ford E-450 at 141,000 miles Sarasota, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact rented a 2016 U-Haul E450. The contact stated that while in the parking lot and placing the vehicle in drive, the contact tapped on the accelerator pedal, then when the brakes were applied and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact removed her foot from the brake, and it continued to accelerate and crashed into a parked U-Haul truck. There were no reported injuries, fire, airbag deployment, or police report filed. It was unknown if there were any warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact spoke with the rental company, who reversed the vehicle without incident. The contact stated that the rental employee was not operating the vehicle the same way when the failure occurred. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000. The insurance company was contacted, who would potentially obtain the black box.

NHTSA complaint #11707508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Ford E-450 at 141,000 miles Sarasota, FL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact rented a 2016 U-Haul E450. The contact stated that while in the parking lot and placing the vehicle in drive, the contact tapped on the accelerator pedal, then when the brakes were applied and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact removed her foot from the brake, and it continued to accelerate and crashed into a parked U-Haul truck. There were no reported injuries, fire, airbag deployment, or police report filed. It was unknown if there were any warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact spoke with the rental company, who reversed the vehicle without incident. The contact stated that the rental employee was not operating the vehicle the same way when the failure occurred. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000. The insurance company was contacted, who would potentially obtain the black box.

NHTSA complaint #11707508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 Trinity, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Component= Traction control and cruise control. Safety risk=Driving a Ford e-450 Class C RV on interstate at 63 MPH going generally up hill with cruise control on, the "Service AdvanceTrac" warning light came on dashboard. I Immediately lost cruise control capability and steering became a little shakey. Pulled into rest area shut vehicle off. A few minutes and started again. Error went away and cruise control was functioning. Happened again a few hours later and I did the same thing and continued on. What happened=As I was driving, the " Service Advance Traction" light came on and the cruise control stopped, my class c rv immediately slowed at a high rate, a semi was behind me trying to get over to the middle lane. When I slowed down suddenly due to the cruise control going out, the semi had no choice but to change lanes quickly missing the back of my vehicle by a foot or so. If he was not alert as to what was happening, I most assuredly would not be typing this letter. It was that close!! Note= This also happened last year as we only take the RV out a few weeks out of the year. I brought it to Klammer Ford in New Port Richey F1l immediately after we got back from the last trip. They could not reproduce issue or find anything wrong Lamps= The only warning light that came on was a "Service Advance traction" light. No prior indication of any kind.

NHTSA complaint #11594828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford E-450 Georgetown, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The component that failed was the transmission and transmission pump. We have receipts and digital verification of this situation as a common problem with this Ford model. Our safety was put at risk as the vehicle suddenly lost power on the highway in a rural area and we had to drift with what speed we had left to the right lane shoulder and hope there was a shoulder as we could not back up or go forward. The vehicle is in claims processing with insurance, however 3 experts in the auto industry reported this a common problem for this make/model of Ford. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure--specifically there is not a dash gauge for the transmission temperature and there should be.

NHTSA complaint #11514039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Ford E-450 at 1,395 miles Warner Robins, GA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2023 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving after a cold start at approximately 2 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The rear wheels were spinning and smoking was detected. The driver depressed the brake pedal but the trailer fishtailed and crashed into a parked Toyota Venza Hybrid. There were no reported injuries, fire or air bag deployment. A police report was filed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 1,395.

NHTSA complaint #11505753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 at 18,000 miles Winston Salem, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving the RV 60 MPH with the cruise control feature turned off, the stabili-trac warning light illuminated and the RV decelerated. The contact was able to control the RV, and once the contact turned off and restarted the RV, the RV operated normally. The RV was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the failure was not a known failure. The dealer also confirmed that the RV was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 18,000.

NHTSA complaint #11503959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 Titusville, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Driving in about 30mph gusting cross winds which required constant small steering corrections. Sudden loss of braking ABS, loss of Cruise Control, loss of Pre-Collision Assist, loss of Hill Start Assist, and related functions. Warning message: Service AdvanceTrac. Three incidents First and second incidents: After sitting with ignition key off for about 15 minutes, vehicle operated as normal. Third incident: Would not normalize after setting with ignition key off. Faults continued.

NHTSA complaint #11470019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 Irving, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ADAS keeps faulting and disabling the cruise control, pre-collision braking, hill hold assist, and skid control functions. The event occurs at highway speeds with strong crosswinds that rock the vehicle in a busy side-to-side motion as gusts hit the vehicle. The system seems to reset after turning the engine off & restarting. But the loss of some of the safety features is worrisome in traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11465537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 Williston, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The Service Advance Trac light comes on sporadically. This also triggers the Cruise Control and Hill Start Assist to turn off. Any of these malfunctions could prove to be a safety issue particularly with regard to stability and control of the vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been to a dealer for these issues as we are traveling. The malfunction has occurred about 5-6 times while driving, without any particular triggers.There were no early warnings and the first time the service light came on was June 18th and we were on a two lane flat road doing about 50 mph. The Advance Trac (and cruise/Hill Start) remains non-functional until vehicle is turned off for at least 10 minutes. It then often resets and performs normally until the next failure - which does not seem to be predictable.

NHTSA complaint #11423803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 Williston, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

The Service Advance Trac light comes on sporadically. This also triggers the Cruise Control and Hill Start Assist to turn off. Any of these malfunctions could prove to be a safety issue particularly with regard to stability and control of the vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been to a dealer for these issues as we are traveling. The malfunction has occurred about 5-6 times while driving, without any particular triggers.There were no early warnings and the first time the service light came on was June 18th and we were on a two lane flat road doing about 50 mph. The Advance Trac (and cruise/Hill Start) remains non-functional until vehicle is turned off for at least 10 minutes. It then often resets and performs normally until the next failure - which does not seem to be predictable.

NHTSA complaint #11423803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford E-450 at 3,000 miles Nags Head, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC KEEPS FAULTING AND DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS BRAKING, HILL HOLDER, AND SKID CONTROL FUNCTIONS, SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CROSSWIND

NHTSA complaint #11415637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford E-450 at 116,000 miles South Hampton, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE OFF BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CRUISE CONTRL STILL FAILED TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AFTER A FEW MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA complaint #11244096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford E-450 at 14,500 miles Ronceverte, WV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON TWO OCCASIONS, OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE, I HAVE HAD THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COME ON, ON THE DASH DISPLAY. THIS IS CAUSED BY ME USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL, THEN STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL TO BRING IT BACK UP TO SPEED, THE LIGHT APPEARS AND I GO INTO "LIMP MODE". ONCE I PULL OVER AND STOP THE ENGINE, APPARENTLY THIS RE-SETS THE SYSTEM, AND THE VEHICLE DRIVES OKAY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A FORD TECH THAT THIS IS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND THAT IT MAY BE NORMAL, BUT I FEEL IT IS TOO SENSITIVE. I AM WONDERING IF IT SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10874818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford E-450 Rochester, NY Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVER REPORTED INTERMITTENT CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE. WHEN RESEARCHING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE ISSUE BECAME AWARE OF CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ISSUE. IT IS UNDER FORD RECALL 05S28. IT IS BY ALL ACCOUNTS, A FIRE HAZARD. ON 6/23/2015 TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A FORD DEALER IN ROCHESTER, N.Y.FOR SERVICE UNDER THE RECALL. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED SAYING FORD HAD DECLINED SERVICE, AND THE REPAIR WORK WOULD BE CHARGEABLE. FORDS STANCE WAS THAT THE VEHICLE "SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN EARLIER". WE RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES ON THIS VEHICLE, CASE IN POINT NEITHER THE GIRL THAT SETS THE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS, OR THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALER COULD 'GET THE VIN TO GO IN" THIS RECALL IS IS FORDS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, COVERING FULLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10726824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Ford E-450 at 14,000 miles Interlochen, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT THE SAME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 5/28/15

NHTSA complaint #10692248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford E-450 Harwich, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2005 FORD E-450. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED, WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 682.

NHTSA complaint #10618557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford E-450 at 238,000 miles 19338 NE 200 ST, WA Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 45 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL IN RAINY WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE RETARDER WAS INOPERABLE. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS BUT DID SO WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE HE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED NOR HAD THE MANUFACTURER BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 238,000.

NHTSA complaint #10323741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford E-450 Chesterfield, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (05S28) ON SEPT. 2007 ON THE CRUISE CONTROL ON OUR 2003 FORD MOTOR HOME. AS OF APRIL 2, 2008 THE DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BE GETTING THE PARTS. I DO NOT FEEL THIS IS A REASONABLE RESPONSE TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE MOTOR HOME TO THEM TO DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL AND REALLY NEED TO HAVE THIS FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10223111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford E-450 at 38,646 miles Bothell, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD E450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTERWARDS, FORD SENT A SECOND RECALL NOTICE STATING THAT THEY REPLACED THE HARNESS WITH A FAULTY PART AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. ON FEBRUARY 28, 2008, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER OPERATED AT ALL WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO SIGN A PAPER STATING THAT THEY WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. IF IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELEVANT TO THE RECALL, HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,676 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,646.

NHTSA complaint #10219591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Ford E-450 Carrolton, MS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD E450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED AT THAT TIME, AND HE HAS BEEN INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #10218116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford E-450 problems