2005 Ford E-450: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 34 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (15% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This vehicle is a motorhome, build on the 2005 e450 cab/chassis with a gas v10 engine. While driving in a single lane construction zone on the interstate the electronic throttle body system failed, and the engine suddenly stopped responding to the accelerator pedal. As a result the vehicle suddenly lost power and slowed to a very very low speed (a few inches per second). As traffic approached and built up behind I inched the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was unable to move under it's own power any further and required a tow. It was an extremely dangerous situation on a crowded highway, in a construction zone, with my family.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford e-450 chinook motorhome equipped with michelin ltx m/s2 tires, size: lt225/75/r16. While driving 45-50 mph, the tread separated from the rear passenger outside tire. The contact stated that three of the four other tires also showed signs of tread separation. The motorhome was taken to les schwab tire center (500 deinhard ln, mccall, id 83638, (208) 634-6042) and the tires were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 58,004 and the approximate tire failure mileage was 25,000.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2017
“2005 ford e-450. Consumer writes in regards to throttle body failure. *smd the consumer stated the throttle body failed, without warning and there was no acceleration. Also, the check engine light illuminated. The throttle body was replaced at a cost of $ 682.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford e-450. The contact stated that the tire pressure ratings were conflicting. The rim label indicated that the recommended tire pressure was 60 pounds and the label on the frame indicated 80 pounds. The contact did not call the manufacture to inquire about the contradictory recommendations. The contact had not experienced a failure. The current mileage was 12,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford e-450. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning and the vehicle could not be restarted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, who advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05v270000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56, 831.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford e-450 van. The contact stated that anti-freeze was leaking onto the engine. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where he was advised that the coolant hose was fractured at the connection to the engine and cylinder heads. The mechanic could not replace the hose due to the part being on back order. The mechanic had to weld the hose to stop the leak but the repair did not remedy the issue. The manufacturer had not produced the part in over a year. The failure mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford e-450. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle began to sway from side to side and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested a sway bar be installed. The manufacturer was not willing to cover the cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2011
“Egr failure with 6.0lford e-450 school buses 14050# gvwr leaving students & drivers stranded in intersections & roadways. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Jul 2009
“I have a 2005 ford e450 cutaway 6.0l diesel engine and it will shutdown completely during normal driving conditions. This condition was diagnose by a certified mechanic as a problem w/ ficm & pcm computers both where replaced by us. The problem continues and after long hours of research found recall campaign (05v270000) call ford and they informed me this vehicle was not included in the recall. This failure occurs aprox. 15 min after driving at normal speeds. We have employees who drive this vehicle and were close to have very serious consequences that can cause major injuries to the public and our employees. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2009
“Rear tire inflation label indicates improper psi for gvwr for rear axle. Label indicates 60 psi. I believe correct inflation on recall 05v-272 is 80 psi. This vehicle was not included in that recall according to four winds international and ford motor company. Vehicle is a four winds siesta motorhome tao015656, VIN based on a ford e-450 super duty chassis. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: MOBILITYWORKS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
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.
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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NEW YORK BUS SALES IS RECALLING 1 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFT WHICH IT INSTALLED ON A FORD SCHOOL BUS, MODEL E450. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
Remedy: NEW YORK BUS SALES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR NEW YORK BUS SALES AT 1-315-687-3969.
NEW YORK BUS SALES IS RECALLING 1 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFT WHICH IT INSTALLED ON A FORD SCHOOL BUS, MODEL E450. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
Remedy: NEW YORK BUS SALES IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR NEW YORK BUS SALES AT 1-315-687-3969.
CERTAIN CUT-AWAY INCOMPLETE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.' THE TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES.
Remedy: OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL BE MAILED SUPPLEMENTARY TIRE LABELS CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 2005 Ford E-450 reliable?
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford E-450. The most complained-about area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford E-450 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 31,480 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Ford E-450 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. 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.