YearToAvoid

2017 Ford E-450 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2017 Ford E-450 has a complaint index of 53, ranking 10th worst out of 20 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 11 complaints and 2 recalls, with Visibility & Wipers as the top problem area at 27% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
53/100
#10 of 20 E-450 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
11
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Visibility & Wipers
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best

Top 2017 Ford E-450 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Visibility & Wipers3 (27%)
  2. Engine2 (18%)
  3. Other2 (18%)
  4. Steering2 (18%)
  5. Structure & Body2 (18%)
  6. Brakes1 (9%)
  7. Electrical System1 (9%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)

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 windshield wipers that stop short of clearing the driver's side view, leaving part of the driving lane and oncoming lanes obscured in rain or snow.
  • Some describe loose or delayed steering response at highway speeds, with the vehicle drifting strongly toward oncoming traffic when passed by another vehicle.
  • One owner reported sudden loss of brake pressure and power steering at low speed, accompanied by a grinding noise and visible fluid leak, at 20,000 miles.
  • A reported engine issue involved a check-engine light, heat entering the cabin from the floorboard, and a diagnosed cylinder misfire that recurred even after an engine rebuild.
  • One owner described a middle door with a lock that failed to open from inside or outside, requiring a bungee cord to keep it shut.
  • Another reported repeated 6R140 transmission failures across a small fleet of vans, with torque converter failure causing stalling and sudden stops, including while climbing hills.
2017 Ford E-450 complaints: complaints filed per month1Jun 2017Jan 2019Sep 2019Nov 2019Aug 2022Oct 2022
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2017 to Oct 2022; peak Jun 2017 (1).

2017 Ford E-450 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V466000Jun 18, 2019Other52 vehicles

    Equipment

    SVO Group Inc. (SVO Group) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350 and E-450-based shuttle buses equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may 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: SVO Group will work with ASA to notify owners, and ASA will provide a harness relay capacitor module to eliminate the image reversal, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics customer service at 1-800-384-4400.

  2. NHTSA 19V342000May 3, 2019Electrical System17 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:brake lights

    Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.

    Risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Taylor Made will notify owners and Whelen will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Taylor Made Ambulances customer service at 1-800-468-1310.

2017 compared with other E-450 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Best2161—
2016Avoid89174—
2017Caution53112—
2018Best1654—
2019Good2650—

All Ford E-450 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Ford E-450 reliable?
NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 53 for the 2017 E-450, ranking 10th worst among 20 model years, which earns a Caution verdict relative to other E-450 years.
What are the most common problems on the 2017 Ford E-450?
Visibility & Wipers issues make up 27% of complaints, followed by Engine and Steering problems at 18% each, based on NHTSA owner complaints.
Does the 2017 Ford E-450 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2017 E-450: one for back-up camera monitors reverting to a blank screen, and one for Whelen brake lights on ambulance conversions that may malfunction depending on wiring.
How does the 2017 E-450 compare to other model years?
The 2017 model's complaint index of 53 is worse than 2013 through 2015 and 2018 through 2019, which carry Good or Best verdicts, but better than years like 2016 and 2021, which are rated Avoid.
Are there transmission problems reported on the 2017 E-450?
NHTSA complaints include a report of repeated 6R140 transmission failures with torque converter issues causing stalling, though this affects only 9% of the year's reported problem areas.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.