2005 Ford E-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Ford E-450 ranks 2nd worst out of 20 model years with a Complaint Index of 95, 34 complaints, and 6 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 24% of complaints, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other E-450 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 20 E-450 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 34
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2005 Ford E-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (24%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (21%)
- Electrical System5 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (15%)
- Fuel System4 (12%)
- Brakes2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Other1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Fuel system complaints describe sudden unintended acceleration or stalling at very low mileage, in one case leading to a crash.
- Transmission and powertrain complaints describe the vehicle losing power and stopping while driving, sometimes stalling on a highway at speed.
- Owners report a broken internal transmission pin and a failed torque converter, requiring the transmission to be rebuilt.
- Electrical system complaints describe a fire starting at the engine compartment wiring harness near the alternator, damaging surrounding wiring and hoses.
- Another electrical complaint describes intermittent running and cargo light malfunctions with an odor before a fire occurred.
- A steering complaint describes the wheel suddenly pulling hard to one side and jerking violently before returning to normal.
2005 Ford E-450 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V401000May 29, 2019Other22 vehicles
Equipment
VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.
- NHTSA 08V644000Dec 5, 2008Other1 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New york bus sales is recalling 1 ricon wheelchair lift which it installed on a ford school bus, model e450. The vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: New york bus sales is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or new york bus sales at 1-315-687-3969.
- NHTSA 08V643000Dec 4, 2008Other1 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
New york bus sales is recalling 1 ricon wheelchair lift which it installed on a ford school bus, model e450. The vehicle fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: New york bus sales is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or new york bus sales at 1-315-687-3969.
2005 compared with other E-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford E-450 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 E-450 ranks 2nd worst of 20 model years with a Complaint Index of 95. Engine, suspension, and electrical problems account for most of the 34 complaints filed.
- What problems does the 2005 Ford E-450 have?
- Owners most often reported engine issues, making up 24% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 21% and electrical system problems at 15%. Two complaints involved fires in the electrical system.
- Does the 2005 Ford E-450 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 E-450, covering wheelchair lift platforms, tire selection labeling, and a fuel injection control module wiring issue that could cause stalling.
- How does the 2005 E-450 compare to other years?
- The 2005 model has a Complaint Index of 95, higher than most other E-450 years except 2021, which scored 100. Years like 2014, 2015, and 2018 rate Best with much lower complaint indexes.