2013 Ford E-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2013 Ford E-450 has a complaint index of 42, ranking 12th of 20 model years, with a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 12 complaints and 2 recalls for this year, led by transmission problems, well below the highest-complaint years like 2021.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 42/100
- #12 of 20 E-450 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2013 Ford E-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (25%)
- Brakes2 (17%)
- Other2 (17%)
- Steering2 (17%)
- Electrical System1 (8%)
- Structure & Body1 (8%)
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 the transmission's clutch cylinder well cracking, triggering a service vehicle warning and requiring a transmission rebuild around 70,000 miles.
- Some owners describe a power steering/power brake hydro-boost unit leaking hydraulic fluid, traced to an over-tightened bolt that stripped the threads.
- Steering has been described as heavy and stiff, not returning to center on its own and requiring the driver to manually assist it.
- One owner reported a rattling noise followed by the front slide-out section disengaging on its own while driving.
- Tire and wheel complaints include confusion between the wheel manufacturer's PSI rating and the door-jam placard PSI, and reports of excessive tread wear after limited use.
2013 Ford E-450 recalls
2 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.
2013 compared with other E-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Ford E-450 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 E-450 a complaint index of 42, ranking 12th out of 20 model years, and it carries a Good verdict relative to other E-450 years.
- What problems does the 2013 Ford E-450 have?
- The top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain, making up 33% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000. Suspension, brakes, and steering issues were also reported, mostly at much lower mileage.
- Does the 2013 Ford E-450 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 E-450, both related to Ricon wheelchair lift platforms installed by upfitters Farber and Elkhart Coach. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2013 E-450 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 42, the 2013 model sits well below higher-complaint years like 2021 (100) and 2016 (89), and above lower years like 2014 (5) and 2018 (16).