2016 Ford E-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Ford E-450 ranks 3rd worst of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 89 and 17 NHTSA complaints against 4 recalls, earning an Avoid verdict. Structure & Body issues dominate, making up 35% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 20 E-450 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
Top 2016 Ford E-450 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body6 (35%)
- Other4 (24%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (18%)
- Brakes2 (12%)
- Engine2 (12%)
- Electrical System1 (6%)
- Steering1 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (6%)
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 automatic transfer switch catching fire on its own and extinguishing itself before help could arrive.
- Some describe the vehicle failing to shift out of reverse, leading to a crash into a stationary object without warning.
- Others report sudden unexplained acceleration after tapping the pedal in a parking lot, resulting in a collision.
- Several owners of bus conversions report the chassis exceeding its gross vehicle weight rating once fully loaded, forcing seat removal to comply.
- One owner reported hesitation or loss of power after turning, without any warning lights or fault codes.
2016 Ford E-450 recalls
4 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 17V269000Apr 21, 2017Fuel System8 vehicles
Fuel system, other
National Fleet Services of Ohio (National Fleet) is recalling certain 2016 Ford E-450 vehicles equipped with Roush, Generation 4, Propane Conversion Kits. The fuel control valve solenoid may short circuit, shutting off the flow of propane to the engine, causing the engine to shut off.
Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: National Fleet will notify owners, and Roush dealers will replace the defective fuel control valve solenoid, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2017. Owners may contact National Fleet customer service at 1-440-903-5177, or Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874. National Fleet's number for this recall is VR.
- NHTSA 16V046000Jan 28, 2016Electrical System75 vehicles
Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 10, 2015 and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S01. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-710. Any vehicle previously repaired under 15V-710 will need to be repaired again.
2016 compared with other E-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford E-450 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 E-450 a complaint index of 89, the 3rd highest (worst) among 20 model years tracked, and it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other E-450 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford E-450?
- Structure & Body complaints lead at 35% of all reports, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 18%, then Brakes and Engine at 12% each.
- Does the 2016 Ford E-450 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 E-450, covering electrical system trailer brake controller reprogramming, a propane conversion fuel control valve, and a dashboard display issue on emergency vehicle builds. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 E-450 compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 89 is far higher than the Best-rated 2014 (index 5) and 2018 (index 16) model years, and close to the worst year, 2021, which scored 100.
- At what mileage do 2016 E-450 problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints was 7,205.5 miles, though Structure & Body issues showed a median of 10,600 miles and Brakes issues showed 72,200 miles.