Ford E-450 · model year

2013 Ford E-450

16 NHTSA complaints, and 2 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

Complaints
16
Recalls
2

The verdict

The 2013 Ford E-450 posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.

43rd pctile
complaint volume, own model years
2
recall campaigns

The 2013FordE-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, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2013 E-450 is power train with 4 filings, followed by service brakes (2) and steering (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2013 E-450. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2013 Ford E-450

PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.

NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.

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
POWER TRAIN4
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING2
SUSPENSION2
WHEELS2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

Recalls (2)

15V11200025/02/2015

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

14V59500024/09/2014

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-350 and Ford E-450 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to May 1, 2014 and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate

Recent Complaints

20180819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NO CRANK NO START WITH ANTITHEFT ON . LOST COMMUNICATION

20180514UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS IS A JAYCO GREYHAWK 31' RV. WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP IT WILL NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY UPON BEING SHUT OFF. IT WILL ONLY START AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

Mileage: 11,800

20180215POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO, MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20180215POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20180215POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

20180215POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

20160811STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT "SLIDE-OUT" DISENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DUPLICATED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

Mileage: 2,500

20151026EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY DUE TO LIVING IN A HOT CLIMATE STATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EVAPORATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

20140703SERVICE BRAKES

I AM A CONTRACTOR FOR FEDEX HOME DELIVERY AND OWN THE TRUCK IN REFERENCE. AFTER APPROX 4900 MILES, THE TRUCK FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BY FEDEX AND NEEDED THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRES SUFFERED MAJOR/EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR AFTER JUST ONE MONTH ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ADDRESSED UTILIMASTER, THE BODY COMPANY, ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO CONTACT FORD. FORD EXPLAINED THE SAME AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT UTILIMASTER. NEITHER PARTY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT I HAVE NOW SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING, TO DATE. THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRUCK/CHASSIS IS IMPROPER ACCORDING TO A FORD ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A RESOLUTION MUST BE FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. UTILIMASTER BELIEVES THE FIX IS TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES AND GETTING ALIGNMENTS, YET THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO SPEND VALUA

Mileage: 4,900

20140703SUSPENSION

I AM A CONTRACTOR FOR FEDEX HOME DELIVERY AND OWN THE TRUCK IN REFERENCE. AFTER APPROX 4900 MILES, THE TRUCK FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BY FEDEX AND NEEDED THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRES SUFFERED MAJOR/EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR AFTER JUST ONE MONTH ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ADDRESSED UTILIMASTER, THE BODY COMPANY, ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO CONTACT FORD. FORD EXPLAINED THE SAME AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT UTILIMASTER. NEITHER PARTY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT I HAVE NOW SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING, TO DATE. THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRUCK/CHASSIS IS IMPROPER ACCORDING TO A FORD ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A RESOLUTION MUST BE FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. UTILIMASTER BELIEVES THE FIX IS TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES AND GETTING ALIGNMENTS, YET THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO SPEND VALUA

Mileage: 4,900

20140703WHEELS

I AM A CONTRACTOR FOR FEDEX HOME DELIVERY AND OWN THE TRUCK IN REFERENCE. AFTER APPROX 4900 MILES, THE TRUCK FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BY FEDEX AND NEEDED THE FRONT TIRES REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIRES SUFFERED MAJOR/EXCESSIVE TREAD WEAR AFTER JUST ONE MONTH ON THE ROAD. WHEN I ADDRESSED UTILIMASTER, THE BODY COMPANY, ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND TO CONTACT FORD. FORD EXPLAINED THE SAME AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT UTILIMASTER. NEITHER PARTY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT I HAVE NOW SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING, TO DATE. THE WEIGHT AND DISTRIBUTION FOR THE TRUCK/CHASSIS IS IMPROPER ACCORDING TO A FORD ENGINEER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A RESOLUTION MUST BE FOUND BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THE TRUCK NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED OR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. UTILIMASTER BELIEVES THE FIX IS TO KEEP REPLACING TIRES AND GETTING ALIGNMENTS, YET THE ISSUE PERSISTS. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO SPEND VALUA

Mileage: 4,900

20140621WHEELS

THIS IS A CLASS "C" MOTORHOME MANUFACTURED BY JAYCO WITH OPTIONAL ALUMINUM WHEELS. (JAYCO GREYHAWK 31FK) ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE ALUMINUM RIMS IS STAMPED "DO NOT EXCEED 60 PSI". THE MOTORHOME COMES WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES RATED AT A MAX. OF 80 PSI. THE JAYCO PLCARD ON THE DOOR JAM STATES THAT THE REAR TIRES MUST BE INFLATED TO 80 PSI. *TR

20140213STEERING

STEERING IS HEAVY, (HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN), DOES NOT ROTATE AND/OR RETURN EASILY AND SMOOTHLY. THE OPERATOR/DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO MANUALLY ASSIST THE RETURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER, DOES NOT HAVE RETURN ABILITY TO CENTER HOME POSITION ON ITS OWN. SAFETY IS #1; HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN RAISES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN WITH THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV BEING UNSAFE, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND/OR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE OPERATOR/DRIVER CONSISTENTLY NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A WHITE KNUCKLE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR INTERVENTION FROM OPERATOR/DRIVER THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, AND WILL NOT RETURN AND CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION. THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV TRACKS SIDE TO SIDE FROM UNEVEN OR GROOVED PAYMENT SURFACES CAUSING A WOBBLING EFFECT. ANOTHER EFFECT WHEN A LARGER VEHICLE IN SIZE PASSES ON THE FREEWAY CAN BE DISTURBING AS NOTED. THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV

Mileage: 1,853

20140213SUSPENSION

STEERING IS HEAVY, (HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN), DOES NOT ROTATE AND/OR RETURN EASILY AND SMOOTHLY. THE OPERATOR/DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO MANUALLY ASSIST THE RETURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER, DOES NOT HAVE RETURN ABILITY TO CENTER HOME POSITION ON ITS OWN. SAFETY IS #1; HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN RAISES SIGNIFICANT CONCERN WITH THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV BEING UNSAFE, POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND/OR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN THE OPERATOR/DRIVER CONSISTENTLY NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A WHITE KNUCKLE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. WITHOUT ASSISTANCE OR INTERVENTION FROM OPERATOR/DRIVER THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV WOULD CONTINUE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT, AND WILL NOT RETURN AND CONTINUE IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD MOTION. THIS SUNSEEKER CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV TRACKS SIDE TO SIDE FROM UNEVEN OR GROOVED PAYMENT SURFACES CAUSING A WOBBLING EFFECT. ANOTHER EFFECT WHEN A LARGER VEHICLE IN SIZE PASSES ON THE FREEWAY CAN BE DISTURBING AS NOTED. THIS CLASS C MOTORHOME/RV

Mileage: 1,853

20140124SERVICE BRAKES

DURING MY 1500 MILE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE SERVICE, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKING HYDRO BOOST UNIT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY OVER-TIGHTENING OF A BOLT ON THE UNIT THAT STRIPPED THE THREAD AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE BOOSTER AND ASSOCIATED HOSES OR LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 1,399

20140124STEERING

DURING MY 1500 MILE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE SERVICE, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKING HYDRO BOOST UNIT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY OVER-TIGHTENING OF A BOLT ON THE UNIT THAT STRIPPED THE THREAD AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE BOOSTER AND ASSOCIATED HOSES OR LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE REPAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 1,399

Compare 2013FordE-450 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Vehicle Safety Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 Ford E-450 have?
The 2013 Ford E-450 has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 Ford E-450?
Yes, the 2013 Ford E-450 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford E-450?
The most-complained component for the 2013 Ford E-450 is POWER TRAIN with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and STEERING.
Is the 2013 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.

Data vintage: August 2026. 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.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2013 Ford E-450; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.