Ford E-450 years to avoid (and the best years)

80 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recalls across 5 model years, 2013 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

80complaints
15recalls
2reported crashes
1reported fires
1reported injuries

Which Ford E-450 years should you avoid?

No Ford E-450 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Ford E-450 year has 13 complaints on file.

What are the best Ford E-450 years?

The Ford E-450 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2017 (11), 2013 (12) and 2022 (13). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2022	13	1.0×	3	0	0	Few red flags	Steering
2021	27	2.1×	6	0	0	Few red flags	Steering
2017	11	0.8×	2	0	0	Few red flags	Wipers and visibility
2016	17	1.3×	4	2	1	Few red flags	Body and structure
2013	12	0.9×	2	0	0	Few red flags	Transmission and drivetrain

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 40 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Steering, suspension & tires14 (35%)
Engine & powertrain11 (28%)
Other systems5 (12%)
Brakes3 (8%)
Airbags & seat belts3 (8%)

Recalls (15)

Safety · 25V793000 · Nov 2025 · model year 2021
Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Steering · 24V097000 · Feb 2024 · model years 2021, 2022
A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 22V925000 · Dec 2022 · model year 2022
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Steering · 22V089000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 20V795000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Brakes · 20V175000 · Mar 2020 · model year 2021
Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V099000 · Feb 2020 · model year 2021
If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.
Safety · 19V466000 · Jun 2019 · model year 2017
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 19V401000 · May 2019 · model year 2016
The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 19V342000 · May 2019 · model year 2017
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 17V269000 · Apr 2017 · model year 2016
An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V046000 · Jan 2016 · model year 2016
If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V710000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2016
If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V112000 · Feb 2015 · model year 2013
If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
Safety · 14V595000 · Sep 2014 · model year 2013
If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.