Ford · E-450 · 2001
2
Recalls
16
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2001 Ford E-450 has 2 recalls and 16 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: tires (7 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated May 4, 2026
The 2001 Ford E-450 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is tires with 7 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy Status
FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)
ODI has received 1 complaint and reports from 4 transportation fleets alleging 182 switch failures.Each fleet operates mini buses built on a Ford E350 or E450 cutaway chassis.The OEM HVAC blower switches have melted, smoked, burned or experienced open flame and become inoperable on vehicles in each fleet.Some drivers have reported a burning smell or smoke coming from the dash.One fleet reported a vehicle fire.No injuries were sustained.However, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.The driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.This PE has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA) to determine if the blower motor switch failures create a situation where a vehicle fire is possible and presents a safety risk to the driver and other passengers.
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON CERTAIN FORD PICKUP TRUCKS AND VANS TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION (WITH RAPID AIR LOSS) AND A SLOW LEAKING VALVE STEM ON VEHICLE HANDING.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI EVALUATED OVER 1,100 COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS, CONDUCTED VEHICLE DYNAMIC TESTING ON A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH THE FAILURE MODE REPLICATED, INTERVIEWED OWNERS, AND EXAMINED COMPLAINT VEHICLES IN THE FIELD.THE RESULTS OF THE TEST PROGRAM INDICATES THE EFFECT OF A VALVE STEM EJECTION ON THESE VEHICLES IS EASILY CONTROLLED. FURTHER, WITH A POPULATION OF ALMOST 900,000 VEHICLES, HAVING TWO TO FOUR YEARS OF EXPOSURE, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY 3 MINOR CRASHES AND IS UNAWARE OF ANY INJURIES.THE SMALL NUMBER OF CRASHES RELATIVE TO THE LARGE POPULATION OF VEHICLES IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TESTING WHICH WAS PERFORMED. THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while restarting the vehicle, the front driver’s side air bag deployed independently. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor seek medic...
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MULTIPLE FAILURES OF NEARLY NEW NEXEN ROADIAN LT TIRE USED ON TWO SEPARATE FORD E-450 LIMO/SHUTTLE CHASSIS. FOUR FAILURES WERE EXPERIENCED WITHIN A 6 MONTH PERIOD, AND INCLUDED CORD/TREAD/INNER LINER SEPARATION, BULGING AND RELATED FAILURES. ONE FAILURE RESULTED IN A BLOW-OUT A...
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FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON MY 2001 FORD E450 ABS LIGHT CAME ON STAYED ON AFTER I STARTED MY MOTORHOME. THE UNIT WAS PARKED FOR 4 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS PROBLEM. THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ONE WHILE DRIVING TO THE LOCATION, ONLY AFTER BEING PARKED FOR THE FOUR DAYS. *NM
I JUST HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT/TREAD SEPARATION ON A 2001 FORD E450 RV. THE VEHICLE HAS 28000 MILES AND THE TREADS SHOW LITTLE WEAR. THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S II LT225/75 R 16 LOAD RANGE E. UPON INSPECTION OF THE OTHER TIRES, NOTICES CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALLS OF ALL ...
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THIS IS AN UPDATE TO ODI #10143249. DRIVING ON I70 IN DENVER, BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS TIME IT STRIPPED ALL THE THREADS OUT. 2) CAUSED A COST OF TOW AND REPAIRS. *JB 3) SERVICE REPAIR DID A HIELARCH (SP?) ON THE SPARK PLUG SLEEVE. TOTAL INCURRE...
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DRIVING ON I70 IN DENVER, BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS TIME IT STRIPPED ALL THE THREADS OUT. *JB
1- TRAVELING FROM EAST COAST WEST THROUGH INDIANA 2- SPARK PLUG CAME OUT OF CYLINDER CAUSING A BREAKDOWN AND TOWING 3- SERVICE REQUIRED TO REPLACED PLUG AND HARNESS - COST OF 75 FOR TOW AND 213.85 FOR PARTS/LABOR. *NM
A CRACK IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING TOWER FRAME ON A 2001 FORD E-450 AMBULANCE.
I HAVE A 2001 JAYCO 33' CLASS C MOTOR HOME ON A FORD E-450 V-10 CHASSIS. I WAS TRAVELING ON HI I 5 SOUTH ABOUT 45 MILES FROM SACRAMENTO, AT 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR DUAL TIRES BLEW OUT. THE OUTSIDE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF AND FLEW ONTO THE HAWAII, THE INSIDE DUAL TREAD CAME OFF ...
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FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT22575R16 TREAD SEPERATION. TIRE PRES:75PSI, SPEED 65, TEMP:80F, ROAD SURFACE: SMOOTH HIGHWAY,. THIS IS ALSO THE THIRD TIRE FAILURE ON THIS RV. ( AT WORK OUR FORD SUV HAS HAD THREE TIRE FAILURES JUST LIKE MY RV)
Showing 10 recent complaints from 16 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2001 Ford models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2001 Ford E-450 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 16 owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Ford E-450.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2001 Ford E-450.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2001 Ford E-450 are tires (7 reports), engine and engine cooling (3 reports), suspension (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2001 Ford E-450. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.