2008 Ford E-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Ford E-450 has a Complaint Index of 11 with 6 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, ranking 18th of 20 model years. NHTSA capped its verdict to Caution because of the 8 recall campaigns, even though its complaint index is low. Top problem area is Engine.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 11/100
- #18 of 20 E-450 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2008 Ford E-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (50%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (33%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden acceleration or lurching forward when the brake pedal is pressed, with the accelerator positioned too close to the brake.
- Severe cracking and dry rot were found across all six tires plus the spare on a motorhome chassis.
- A bad seam weld on the fuel tank caused a noticeable fuel smell before the tank was replaced under warranty.
- Some owners describe the engine losing power on the highway, with the vehicle unable to exceed low speeds and shutting off multiple times.
- One report describes transmission and transmission pump failure causing sudden loss of power on the highway.
2008 Ford E-450 recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V112000Feb 25, 2015Other117 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.
- NHTSA 14V595000Sep 24, 2014Other437 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-350 and Ford E-450 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to May 1, 2014 and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Elkhart will notify owners to take the vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Owners may also contact Elkhart customer service at 1-574-264-5179. This recall has been superseded by campaign 15V-768.
- NHTSA 10V128000Apr 2, 2010Other41 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Elkhart coach has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain transit buses fitted with ricon public use lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle. Ricon has discovered, however, that it is possible for the operator to insert the belt tongue into the buckle without fully engaging the latching mechanism. In this case, the restraint belt would appear to be latched, and the operator could run the lift. If the restraint belt tongue is not fully engaged into the restraint belt buckle, and latched, the lift may operate with an occupant on the platform.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.
Remedy: Elkhart coach is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid. The safety recall began on july 27, 2010. Owners may contact ricon customer service at 800-322-2884, emailing at [email protected].
2008 compared with other E-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Ford E-450 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 6 complaints for the 2008 E-450, giving it a Complaint Index of 11, which is low compared to other years. However, 8 recall campaigns capped its verdict to Caution.
- What is the top problem area for the 2008 Ford E-450?
- Engine complaints make up 50% of reported issues, the largest share among problem areas for this year.
- Does the 2008 Ford E-450 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2008 E-450, mostly involving Ricon wheelchair lift equipment installed by upfitters like Elkhart Coach and Colonial.
- How does the 2008 E-450 compare to other model years?
- The 2008 E-450 ranks 18th worst out of 20 model years by complaint index, with a Caution verdict, better than the Avoid-rated 2005, 2006, 2016, 2021, and 2022 model years.