Ford E-450 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Ford E-450 years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2016, 2021, and 2022, each carrying complaint index scores of 79 or higher out of 100 and multiple recall campaigns. The best-rated years are 2014, 2015, and 2018, with complaint index scores of 5, 21, and 16.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2016Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Best 2014Best 2015Best 2018
- Model years
- 20
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 199
- Recall campaigns
- 44
- Crashes reported
- 10
- Fires reported
- 11
- Top problem area
- Engine
E-450 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford E-450 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 95 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 84 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 11 | Engine | — | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 74 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 11 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2008 | Caution | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Engine | — | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 68 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 63 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Airbags | — | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 37 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 8 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2013 | Good | 42 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2014 | Best | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | — | — |
| 2015 | Best | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 89 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 53 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | — | — |
| 2018 | Best | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Steering | — | — |
| 2019 | Good | 26 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 100 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Engine | — | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 79 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 58 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Engine | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 47 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
E-450 years to avoid: what went wrong
2021 Ford E-450 Index 100 · 27 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2021 E-450 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 27 complaints. Engine issues lead at 44% share and a median mileage of 10,500, closely followed by brakes and steering complaints both at 41% share and 8,000 median mileage. Owners described loss of steering assist and repeated Advance Trac and stability-control faults at highway speed. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns, including power steering pressure line and hydroboost connection issues shared with 2022.
2005 Ford E-450 Index 95 · 34 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2005 E-450 has a complaint index of 95 and 34 complaints, with engine problems the top issue at 24% of that year's complaints and a median failure mileage of 46,000. Owners also reported suspension and transmission failures, some at very low mileage. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this year, including fuel injector control module wiring and wheelchair lift issues. Reports describe stalling, sudden acceleration, and a fire linked to an alternator wiring harness at 75,011 miles.
2016 Ford E-450 Index 89 · 17 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2016 E-450 has a complaint index of 89 from 17 complaints, with Structure & Body issues leading at 35% of complaints and a median failure mileage of 10,600. Owners reported a transfer switch fire, a transmission failure to shift out of reverse leading to a crash, and hesitation after turning. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns, including a fuel control valve solenoid short and a trailer brake controller reprogramming.
2006 Ford E-450 Index 84 · 20 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2006 E-450 carries a complaint index of 84 across 20 complaints, with engine problems making up half of all reports at a median mileage of 24,731. Owners described engine fires, electrical shorts causing fires, and stalling in rainy weather that would not restart until towed to a dealer. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this year, more than any other E-450 model year, covering wheelchair lifts and other components.
2022 Ford E-450 Index 79 · 13 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2022 E-450 has a complaint index of 79 from 13 complaints, with steering issues dominant at 69% share and a median failure mileage of 4,000. Brake complaints followed at 54% share with a median mileage of 5,150. Owners described difficulty steering combined with hard braking to stop and long waits for recall parts. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns, including the same power steering/hydroboost connection recall and a fuel tank corrosion recall.
Most common Ford E-450 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine52 (26%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires36 (18%)
- Brakes30 (15%)
- Steering28 (14%)
- Other25 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (10%)
- Fuel System19 (10%)
- Structure & Body16 (8%)
- Electrical System15 (8%)
- Airbags6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford E-450 years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid 2005, 2006, 2016, 2021, and 2022. These years have complaint index scores of 79 to 100, the highest in the lineup, along with multiple recall campaigns.
- What are the best Ford E-450 years?
- 2014, 2015, and 2018 are rated Best, with complaint index scores of 5, 21, and 16. 2013 and 2019 are rated Good, with scores of 42 and 26.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford E-450?
- Across all years, Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 52 of 199 total complaints (26%), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 18% and Brakes at 15%.
- Does the 2021 Ford E-450 have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 22V089000, later expanded by 24V097000, covers 2021-2022 E-450 vehicles with dual rear wheels where an inadequate power steering pressure line connection to the brake hydroboost unit could cause a loss of power steering assist.
- How many total complaints and recalls does the Ford E-450 have?
- Across the 2005-2025 model years covered, NHTSA lists 199 total complaints and 44 total recall campaigns for the Ford E-450.