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2005 Ford E-450

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

34 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEELED COACH TYPE I 4X4 2005 FORD 350E 6 LITER TURBO DIESEL. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE HEAT IN PATIENT COMPARTMENT. COMPARTMENT MEASURES 80 DEGREES WHILE TEMPERATURE FROM CAB MEASURES 190 DEGREES. HAVE DONE 4 TESTS OF RADIATOR FLUID THAT TESTED POSITIVE FOR OIL PRODUCT IN FLUID. HAVE NOW TAKEN VEHICLE TO 3 DIFFERENT CERTI…

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WHEELED COACH TYPE I 4X4 2005 FORD 350E 6 LITER TURBO DIESEL. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE HEAT IN PATIENT COMPARTMENT. COMPARTMENT MEASURES 80 DEGREES WHILE TEMPERATURE FROM CAB MEASURES 190 DEGREES. HAVE DONE 4 TESTS OF RADIATOR FLUID THAT TESTED POSITIVE FOR OIL PRODUCT IN FLUID. HAVE NOW TAKEN VEHICLE TO 3 DIFFERENT CERTIFIED FORD SERVICE CENTERS WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE LATE OCTOBER. NEITHER WHEELED COACH OR FORD WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING. A LARGER PUMP WAS INSTALLED, VALVES WERE CHANGED, AND THEY TOLD US THE HEAD GASKETS WERE OKAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188110

62,000 miles · Mar 14, 2007
Power TrainStructure

MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10185058

1,997 miles · Dec 30, 2006
Electrical System

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME ON A FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND THE BATTERY GOES TOTALLY DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS. THE DEALER AND FORD TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL, YET I HAVE HAD 5 OTHER MOTOR HOMES ON FORD CHASSIS AND LEFT THEM OUT ALL WINTER AND THE BATTERIES WERE STILL CHARGED IN THE SPRING. THIS PROBLE…

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I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME ON A FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND THE BATTERY GOES TOTALLY DEAD AFTER SITTING FOR TWO OR THREE WEEKS. THE DEALER AND FORD TELLS ME THIS IS NORMAL, YET I HAVE HAD 5 OTHER MOTOR HOMES ON FORD CHASSIS AND LEFT THEM OUT ALL WINTER AND THE BATTERIES WERE STILL CHARGED IN THE SPRING. THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND NO WHERE IN THE FORD LITERATURE OR WINNEBAGO LITERATURE DOES IT MENTION THIS. A MOTORHOME IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT YOU DRIVE EVERY DAY AND THIS COULD END UP LEAVING YOU STRANDED IN THE MOUNTAINS. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177387

15,000 miles · Nov 16, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

METROLIFT, THE AWARD WINNING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (HOUSTON METRO) HAS SUFFERED UNREASONABLE REDUCTIONS IN THE QUALITY OF DEPENDABLE SERVICE PROVIDED DUE TO THE VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ENGINE PROBLEMS IN 2004-200…

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METROLIFT, THE AWARD WINNING TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDED FOR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY OF HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS (HOUSTON METRO) HAS SUFFERED UNREASONABLE REDUCTIONS IN THE QUALITY OF DEPENDABLE SERVICE PROVIDED DUE TO THE VERY HIGH LEVEL OF ENGINE PROBLEMS IN 2004-2005 FORD E450 VANS. METRO HAS UTILIZED THE FORD E-SERIES PARA TRANSIT VAN AS THEIR VEHICLE OF CHOICE FOR TWO DECADES. UNTIL NOW, PAST USAGE HISTORY FOR THE E-SERIES VAN AT METRO HAS PROVEN TO BE GENERALLY RELIABLE. THE CURRENT VEHICLE CONFIGURATION WITH THE 6.0 LITER ENGINE HAS PROVEN TO BE MECHANICALLY UNDEPENDABLE AND PRECARIOUS. WE HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT TRANSIT AUTHORITIES. OCTA (ORANGE COUNTY), ISLAND TRANSIT, MARTA, ETC... AND THEY HAVE EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS AS WE HAVE. ENCLOSED IS A LETTER FROM THOR INDUSTRIES ADDRESSED TO MR. WILLIAM FORD, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CEO OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXPRESSING SERIOUS SAFETY AND OPERATING ISSUES WITH THE 6.0L DIESEL CHASSIS. WE HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT FORD ANNOUNCED, THEY WILL BE DISCONTINUING PRODUCING THE 6.0 LITER ENGINE AND REPLACE IT WITH A MORE ROBUST 6.4 LITER ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173662

21,000 miles · Jun 12, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CHANGING THE OIL IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE WEARING UNEVENLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THE VEHICLE AS A SHUTTLE BUS, THE BRAKE PADS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED MORE OFTEN. UPDATED 6/30/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159593

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STICKS, LIKE THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155347

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineCrashInjury

2005 E450 SUPER DUTY VAN STALLED RESULTING IN A AUTO CRASH WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. *TS ATTORNEY IS INVESTIGATING AN ACCIDENT ON BEHALF OF AN INJURED PASSENGER WHO WAS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE THAT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A LIGHT POLE AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE ATTORNEY FOUND RECALL 05S34 WHICH INDICATED T…

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2005 E450 SUPER DUTY VAN STALLED RESULTING IN A AUTO CRASH WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. *TS ATTORNEY IS INVESTIGATING AN ACCIDENT ON BEHALF OF AN INJURED PASSENGER WHO WAS RIDING IN THE VEHICLE THAT CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A LIGHT POLE AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE ATTORNEY FOUND RECALL 05S34 WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS MAY CHAFE ON ENGINE BOLT POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN ELECTRIC SHORT. THE ATTORNEY IS TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER OR OPERATOR EVER RECEIVED THE RECALL, BY FORD, IT'S DEALER OR ANYONE ELSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148705

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

WE RENTED A 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FROM HERTZ RENTAL. WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR WINDOW IN THE HATCHBACK KEPT OPENING. WE STOPPED REPEATEDLY TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. WE WERE ON VACATION TRAVELING FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. EVENTUALLY, WE BOUGHT SOME DUCT TAPE AND TAPED THE WINDOW SHUT SO THAT IT WOULD…

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WE RENTED A 2005 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER FROM HERTZ RENTAL. WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR WINDOW IN THE HATCHBACK KEPT OPENING. WE STOPPED REPEATEDLY TO CLOSE THE WINDOW. WE WERE ON VACATION TRAVELING FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. EVENTUALLY, WE BOUGHT SOME DUCT TAPE AND TAPED THE WINDOW SHUT SO THAT IT WOULD NOT OPEN ANYMORE; HOWEVER, IT DID BECOME AJAR, BUT LUCKILY THE TAPE HELD THE WINDOW CLOSED. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT NOTHING FLEW OUT THE WINDOW (WHAT IF A PERSON WAS SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT AND GOT INJURED...????).*JB

NHTSA ODI #10134401

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2005
Power Train

FORD F150 2005 REAR AXLE OR DRIVE TRAIN SLIPS AND KNOCKS ON ACCELERATION AND AROUND CORNERS. DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS FIXED WITH MORE GREASE IN REAR AXLE. PROBLEM STILL EXSISTS.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10131192

3,700 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Power TrainCrash

VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE MOVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. VEHICLE DANGEROUSLY SKID TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, UNABLE TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE PURCHASED ON 06/14/2005 FOR $58,000, INCIDENT HAPPENED 07/08/2005, AND VEHICLE IS STILL IN SHOP AS OF 08/01…

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VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE MOVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. VEHICLE DANGEROUSLY SKID TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, UNABLE TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE PURCHASED ON 06/14/2005 FOR $58,000, INCIDENT HAPPENED 07/08/2005, AND VEHICLE IS STILL IN SHOP AS OF 08/01/2005. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 3,700 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEALERSHIP SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT. THIS VEHICLE WAS TO BE USED TO TRANSPORT TOURIST SAFELY TO AND FROM OUR TOUR LOCATION. I PURCHASED THIS NEW VEHICLE FOR RELIABILITY AND SAFETY. IT IS NEITHER RELIABLE NOR SAFE. AFTER VIEWING THIS WEBSITE I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION, ETC. ON A 2005 FORD E450 WITH LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10130747

Official recalls

6

19V401000 · Equipment

May 29, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

08V644000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Dec 5, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

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.

08V643000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Dec 4, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

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.

08V519000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Oct 6, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

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.

05V270000 · Electrical System:wiring

Jun 10, 2005

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

04V603000 · Equipment:other:labels

Dec 20, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AT THE INCORRECTLY STATED PRESSURE, THE REAR TIRES ARE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) FOR THE REAR AXLE.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09055 · Hvac Switch Failures

Opened Dec 7, 2009 · Closed Apr 21, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

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.