1999 Ford E-450: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 73 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (51% of complaints); the 1997 and 2000 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Loud noise from motorhome while driving. Rear right tire (firestone steeltex r4s) had bulged and the tread had seperated from the tire, leaving the steel showing. It ripped the mud flap off and damaged the rear wheelwell. After replacing it, and less than 10 miles later, we heard a loud noise again. The rear left tire had a large bulge and the tread had seperated from it. A third tire also has a bulge.”Owner report · Tires · May 2005
“Second disintegration of a firestone 225/75/r16e. Caused extensive damage to the compartment housing water pump, water service line, 120v electrical, 3/8" propane copper tubing to stove, water heater, furnace, etc. Motorhome is jayco, class c, new in 1999. Damage to outside paneling as well. *nm”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2004
“During regular inspection of our paratransit vehicles, we found cracks in the left front spring tower. Supsequent inspection of the other 8 vehicle revealed that they all had this problem.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving at 65mph one of the glassesing belong to 6 foot right door blew out, and fell down on the highway. Luckily didn't kill anybody. Consumer stated dealer was notified, and they offered clips to reinforce the glass. *ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2003
“Firestone r4s blow out on right front tire of 1999 ford f-450sd with coachman motor home mounted on frame. Unit not over loaded and proper air pressure maintained.checking I have found other tires with hair line cracks around where thread meets sidewall. I am replacing tires and will hold firestone tires while waiting for tires to be recalled .”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2003
“My rv suffered a tire blowout and complete tred separation on the road on vacation. Damage was sustained to the under side of my rv by the tred wipping the rv as it separated. The tire had only 16,000 miles on it, was properly inflated and was going only about 55 mph on normal dry pavement. The tire is a firestone steeltex radial r4s lt225/75 r16 load range e dot vd1l 1xd 259 other numbers on tire 25439 ur bd99805-6 da180p d06l 06029. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2003
“Tread on rear right side separated while driving the vehicle at 50mph . Firestone steel tex r4s size#lt225/75r16 dot# vd1le38. *tt”Owner report · Tires · May 2003
“A tire lost its tread while traveling on i40 in lebanon,tn, while enroute to new hampshire. The tire was a firestone, on a dutchman motor home with a ford chasis.*jb”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2003
“The "service" of quick change oil shops to adjust tire pressures on warm/hot tires to recommended (cold) pressures. This results in cold pressures of 4 to 6 psi below recommended pressure if checked properly.”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2003
“Dot # was hard to read on the sidewall, so I'm not sure if I got it correct. There wasn't enough room in the block to enter complete tire size; it is lt225/75r16. Catastrophic tire failure (tread separated) on low-mileage, properly-inflated tire. Did significant damage to the underside of my rv. I have a written repair estimate of $2,010.00, which was prepared by property damage appraisers of albuquereque, nm, 505-242-1531, estimate id # 2080027.*ak”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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: 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: 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)
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact E-450 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford E-450 reliable?
NHTSA has 73 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford E-450. The most complained-about area is tires (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford E-450 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 38,646 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford E-450 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.