Illustration2003 FORD E450 DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB THE RIM HAD WEAR MARKS WHERE THE LUG NUTS WORE LARGE HOLES, WHICH CAUSED THE STUDS TO SNAP OFF. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-0038-91 UPDATED LETTER 04/29/10 *BF
2003 Ford E-450
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all E-450 years →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
Limited mileage data: 10 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Tires complaints
3 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD E450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR OF HIS MICHELIN LT 225 75R/16 TIRES HAD LARGE CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 41,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I HAVE A JAYCO MOTORHOME ON A FORD E450 CHASSIS, ORIGINAL. TIRES MICHELIN 225/75 WITH LOAD FACTOR E. MAX LOAD OF THE TIRES IS 9880LBS, MY ACTUAL REAR AXLE WEIGHT 9270 (STATIC AND MOTORHOME EMPTY WITH NO WATER, FUEL TANK 1/3 FULL) ACCORDING TO MICHELIN THAT IS ASKING FOR TIRE FAILURE ( HAD 2 ALREADY) BECAUSE THE DYNAMIC LOADS (G…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A JAYCO MOTORHOME ON A FORD E450 CHASSIS, ORIGINAL. TIRES MICHELIN 225/75 WITH LOAD FACTOR E. MAX LOAD OF THE TIRES IS 9880LBS, MY ACTUAL REAR AXLE WEIGHT 9270 (STATIC AND MOTORHOME EMPTY WITH NO WATER, FUEL TANK 1/3 FULL) ACCORDING TO MICHELIN THAT IS ASKING FOR TIRE FAILURE ( HAD 2 ALREADY) BECAUSE THE DYNAMIC LOADS (GOING DOWN THE STREET, BUMPS - UPHILL - DOWNHILL- SIDELOADS) WILL BE OVER THE TIRE LIMIT. THAT'S THE REASON THE LAW REQUIRES PASS, CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS TO HAVE A 16% RESERVE CAPACITY; MINE IS DOWN TO ABOUT 2%. WITH FULL FUEL AND WATER TANK, LITTLE BIT OF STAFF LOADED FOR VACATION OR PUTTING ANYTHING ON THE TRAILER HITCH (BOAT OR EVEN LOADED BIKE RACK) I AM OVERWEIGHT FOR THE EXISTING TIRES AND MAX REAR AXLE WEIGHT I KNOW THAT IS NOT AN ISSUE FORD HAS TO DEAL BUT JAYCO.BUT I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE ABOUT WHAT TO DO (IS THAT MOTORHOME A RISK TO DRIVE , MAYBE UNSAFE?) IS THERE ANY MEANS TO INCREASE THE MAX REAR AXLE WEIGHT ON THAT E450 CHASSIS? ANY WAY I COULD PUT ON A DIFFERENT TIRE SIZE (ENOUGH ROOM ON THE RIM / WHEEL-WELL;THAT WOULD INCREASE THE MAX TIRE LOAD ABOUT 1000LBS - BUT IS THAT LEGAL AND DOABLE, ESPECIALLY. WITH THE DUAL TIRES. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR ANSWER *LA
Official recalls
409V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 13, 2009
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 INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 3, 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
04V444000 · Electrical System:wiring
Sep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, OR THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OR UNATTENDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUSE IN THE ABS CIRCUIT AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD OVER THE ABS MODULE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY (FOR A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT) OF THE ABS MODULE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.
04V445000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Sep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT MATERIAL PROCESS RESULTED IN AN AIR FILTER PAPER ELEMENT THAT CAN SMOLDER OR BURN. THIS CHANGE IN FILTER PAPER COMPOSITION COMBINED WITH THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, MAY ALLOW HOT CARBON PARTICLES TO CONTACT THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT DURING CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS THAT CREATE HOT PARTICLES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THESE HOT PARTICLES MAY IGNITE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM DAMAGE OR UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY (FOR A ONE TIME REPLACEMENT) OF THE ABS MODULE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF YOUR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2005.
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
1PE09055 · 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.