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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2017 Ford E-450

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 11 safety complaints about the 2017 Ford E-450 with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering equipment and the exterior lighting.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 2 complaints, 18% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 6,000 miles, the median across the 7 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2017 to October 2022 · How this is counted

What is on file

11 complaints on file

11

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 2 · 18%
STEERING 2 · 18%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 2 · 18%
EQUIPMENT 1 · 9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 9%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 · 9%
POWER TRAIN 1 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 9%
STRUCTURE 1 · 9%
SUSPENSION 1 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 · 9%
VISIBILITY 1 · 9%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 11.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 5.

8 6 4 2
17 18 19 21 22

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2022.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2017 Ford E-450. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

EQUIPMENT

19V466000 · June 18, 2019

The defect
SVO Group Inc. (SVO Group) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350 and E-450-based shuttle buses equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
The risk
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
SVO Group will work with ASA to notify owners, and ASA will provide a harness relay capacitor module to eliminate the image reversal, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service at 1-800-384-4400.

SVO Group Inc · up to 52 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

19V342000 · May 3, 2019

The defect
Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
The risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

Taylor Made Ambulances · up to 17 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

19V285000 · April 10, 2019

The defect
North Central Emergency Vehicles (North Central) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ambulances remounted on Ford E-350 and E-450 and Chevrolet G4500 chassis equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
The risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
North Central will notify owners and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2019. Owners may contact North Central Emergency Vehicles customer service at 1-320-395-2529.

North Central Emergency Vehicles · up to 5 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures

PE20021

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 23, 2020 · closed December 13, 2024

equipment

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 open the recreational vehicle door equipped with the latch.If the motorhome does not have any other doors such as some Class A models, occupants could be trapped inside, needing to climb out using the emergency exits. If locked out, owners would be unable to easily get in and retrieve children and pets. ODI analyzed the data provided by Trimark in response to its January 27, 2021 information request letter.Although an elevated failure rate was evident on a specific combination of plunger bolt, door lock/latch assembly and door, the data showed that most failures occurred within the first two years of service on the affected 2015-2017 vehicles.This data suggests that component failures generally would have already occurred.Further, ODI data reflects a downward trend in complaints after calendar year 2018 and for post- MY 2016 vehicles.This downward trend may be attributed Trimark's actions in 2016 such as changes in the manufacturing process of its zinc plunger component for the relevant population and its 2016 decision to switch to a steel plunger. In view of the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.  The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

EQUIPMENT

17,000 miles

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11479886, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11278257, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

6,000 miles

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*JB

NHTSA complaint 11266636. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford E-450

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 13 3 —
2021 27 7 —
2016 17 5 —
2013 12 2 —

Other 2017 Ford models

Escape 2,689 Explorer 1,694 F-150 1,442 Edge 1,365 F-250 SD 1,155 Fusion 1,111 Focus 897 F-350 SD 573

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst