FORD E-450 · model year

2002 FORD E-450

16 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDE-450 carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 E-450 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (2) and tires (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 E-450. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
TIRES2
ENGINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
POWER TRAIN1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (3)

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

06V28600001/08/2006

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Recent Complaints

20230818ENGINE

The contact owns a 2002 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, a loud bang came from the vehicle and the vehicle was steered over to the side of the road. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

Mileage: 43,000

20190817STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 90 IN SOUTH DAKOTA AT APPROX 70MPH WHEN A VEHICLE BEHIND ME FLASHED HIS LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER AND DRAGGING BEHIND ME BY ONLY ONE HYDRAULIC LINE WAS THE REAR LEVELING SYSTEM. THIS ASSEMBLY IS ABOUT 5 FEET LONG AND HAS TWO HYDRAULIC JACKS ONE ON EACH END. MY GUESS IS THIS WEIGHS OVER 70LBS. HAD THIS BROKEN LOOSE IN THE INTERSTATE AT THAT SPEED GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED..THE UNDAMAGED BOLTS WERE STILL IN THE FRAME..(SEE PHOTO 1) IT APPEARS TO HAVE JUST COME LOOSE OVER TIME.. WITH ANY KIND OF LOCK WASHER UNDER THE NUTS OR LOCKING SYSTEM THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. I DISCONNECTED THE REMAINING HYDRAULIC LINE AND PUT THE UNIT IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE CAMPER(SEE PHOTO 2)

Mileage: 45,000

20150330EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MOTORHOME WITH THE FORD E-450, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY PARK I LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

Mileage: 11,315

20150330ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MOTORHOME WITH THE FORD E-450, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF MY PARK I LOST MY TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

Mileage: 11,315

20141026ENGINE

WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH TO SOUTH JUST OUTSIDE OF LASVEGAS WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER, WITH THE INJECTOR STILL PUMPING FUEL. IN OUR 31' MOTORHOME WITH A E450 ENGINE. DID WE NOT REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. AS A RESULT THIS COST US $7200.00 AND THE LOSS OF USE OF OUR VEHICLE AND HOME FOR 10 DAYS. WE HAVE ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SOME RENUMERATION TOWARDS THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE AS WE SOON FOUND OUT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 6 YEARS OLD THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. WE FEEL THAT EVEN IF WE WERE COMPENSATED FOR THE PARTS WOULD BE A FAIR RESPONSE, BECAUSE THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LIABILITY LAWSUIT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE US WITH OUR REQUEST TO FORD. THANK YOU, *TR

Mileage: 50,829

20141026FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WE WERE TRAVELING NORTH TO SOUTH JUST OUTSIDE OF LASVEGAS WHEN A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER, WITH THE INJECTOR STILL PUMPING FUEL. IN OUR 31' MOTORHOME WITH A E450 ENGINE. DID WE NOT REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. AS A RESULT THIS COST US $7200.00 AND THE LOSS OF USE OF OUR VEHICLE AND HOME FOR 10 DAYS. WE HAVE ASKED FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SOME RENUMERATION TOWARDS THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE AS WE SOON FOUND OUT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OVER 6 YEARS OLD THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. WE FEEL THAT EVEN IF WE WERE COMPENSATED FOR THE PARTS WOULD BE A FAIR RESPONSE, BECAUSE THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LIABILITY LAWSUIT. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE US WITH OUR REQUEST TO FORD. THANK YOU, *TR

Mileage: 50,829

20120411ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPARK PLUG EJECTED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAUSING EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN RESULTING IN 550.00 BILL FOR SPARK PLUG SLEEVE REPAIR THEN 50 MILES FROM THIS INCIDENT THE FAN BELT SHREDDED RESULTING IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND ANOTHER EMERGENCY REPAIR OF 520.00 FOR NEW BELT AND ALTERNATOR. *TR

Mileage: 34,500

20120411ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SPARK PLUG EJECTED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAUSING EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN RESULTING IN 550.00 BILL FOR SPARK PLUG SLEEVE REPAIR THEN 50 MILES FROM THIS INCIDENT THE FAN BELT SHREDDED RESULTING IN ENGINE OVERHEATING AND ANOTHER EMERGENCY REPAIR OF 520.00 FOR NEW BELT AND ALTERNATOR. *TR

Mileage: 34,500

20100622TIRES

COOPER SRM II LT 225/75/R 16 TREAD SEPARATION OF REAR TIRE ON RV APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES OF HOME WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE. TWO MONTHS EARLIER HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH ANOTHER REAR TIRE. TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS A SET OF SIX ON 04/08 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WHEN FAILURES OCCURRED. TIRES ARE BEING REPLACED WITH A COMPLETE SET FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. *TR

20090627POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING THE AMBULANCE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP. WHEN THE AMBULANCE IS AT IDLE IT JUST SHUTS OFF, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE RPM'S ARE AT IDLE THE ENGINE WILL JUST SHUT OFF. NO CRASH OR INJURIES HOWEVER IT WAS VERY CLOSE AS THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IT WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 121,001

20080915FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IN EARLY JULY MY VEHICLE SUFFERED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A VEHICLE COVERED UNDER THE EXISTING FORD RECALL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING. THE DEALER , WHO HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUST 45 DAYS EARLIER, STATED THAT THIS FIRE WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF WIRING FIRE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL IN PLACE MAY NOT FULLY ADDRESS THE RISK OF FIRE, AND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS THAN HAS BEEN DISCLOSED. *TR

Mileage: 85,323

20060124TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD FAILED ON CONSUMER'S 2002 FORD E450 . *TS *NM

20031125TIRES

WHILE DRIVING THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *NLM THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST. *NM

Mileage: 8,058

20030520TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION FROM SIDEWALL ON FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S II. *NLM

Mileage: 8,700

20030507TIRES:SIDEWALL

THE INNER RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT. *NLM THE CONSUMER OBSERVED THE RIGHT INSIDE DUAL TIRE SPLIT NEAR THE TREAD LINE ON THE SIDEWALL. (TIRE MODEL-R4 SII) *SCC *JB

Mileage: 4,403

20021101SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

REAR BRAKE CALIPER PISTON BOOTS HARD, BRITTLE, SPLIT. CONSTRUCTED OF MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ADEQUATE HEAT RESISTANT PROPERTIES. BOTH REAR CALIPER ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED BY DEALER WARRANTY. DT

Compare 2002FORDE-450 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD E-450 have?
The 2002 FORD E-450 has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD E-450?
Yes, the 2002 FORD E-450 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD E-450?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD E-450 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and TIRES.
Is the 2002 FORD E-450 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.