2021 Ford E-450: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering; the 2022 and 2023 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Engine camshaft and lifters failed. Truck is at a Ford dealer. Engine could fail in the middle of the road, causing an accident. This is our eighth vehicle with the same issue taken to a ford dealer in the past year. A little knocking noise started that quickly turned into a loud knocking/rattling noise. No lights came on the truck.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2025
“This is one of 4 of my 2021 ford econoline fleet vehicles purchased in 2021 that have had engine failure. I am one of many contractors in my area and others around the country who have had this issue with the same F59 engine. Ford has failed to issue a recall.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2025
“Engine Camshaft and lifters failed, unit was inspected by ford dealer and engine had to be replaced. Engine can stop working and truck could break down in the middle of the road. No warning lamps, just a loud knocking sound when brakes were applied and truck was downshifting to stop. A lot of other people that purchased these ford light duty trucks with the 7.3L engine are having the same issue.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine camshaft and lifters failed and were inspected by Ford dealer, which corrected the issue by replacing the engine. Engine can failed and truck get stuck in the middle of the road. In the past 6 months its our 4th Ford truck with the same issue and a lot of other Fedex contractors that purchased a Ford truck with the 7.3L engine are reporting the same issue. No warning light was on in this vehicle, just started with a knocking sound that got worse until it got to the dealer and engine had to be replaced”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2024
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal became stiff, and the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was continuously depressed for the vehicle to come to a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering hose and fluids needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,104.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2024
“My RV is make from 2021 Ford E-450. The power steering fluid leaked out and hard to steer the RV, and lost break. Ford has a recall 2021E-450 under similar situation, but my Vin did not received any recall notice.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2021 Jayco Redhawk Motorhome built on a 2021 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The RV was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the brake line had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2021 Phoenix Cruiser RV built on a 2021 Ford E-450 chassis, equipped with a 6400 Series window vent. The contact stated that he became aware that the side window was delaminating. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E047000 (Structure, Equipment). The RV was taken to a local dealer and was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was related to the adhesive; however, no repairs were completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Equipment · Jan 2023
“CP4 fuel pump explodes leaving me and my family stranded on the freeway for over 7 hours, and stuck 1300 miles from home. Dodge has already recalled and repaired there trucks. My truck is 2021 with 50k miles and now I'm expected to pay $15-20k for the damage's”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2022
“2021 ford e-450. Consumer writes in regard to safety recall notice 22s08. The consumer requested assistance locating a dealer within a reasonable distance to perform the recall repair.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2022
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 22, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S13.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit, and replace the power steering lines, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S09.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with SEIC or BCP, free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S73.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2021 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 2021 Ford E-450 reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Ford E-450. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2021 Ford E-450 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine. 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.