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2004 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

Limited mileage data: 19 of 27 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read 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 →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

27 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 16, 2023
Equipment

THE component system addressed, which is available for inspection, is the propane line routed through a jagged torched hole in the vehicle main frame; location is left-rear frame extension. Pictures are available. IF piping is allowed to remain, the propane line will sustain a propane leak with constant rubbing against the hole…

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THE component system addressed, which is available for inspection, is the propane line routed through a jagged torched hole in the vehicle main frame; location is left-rear frame extension. Pictures are available. IF piping is allowed to remain, the propane line will sustain a propane leak with constant rubbing against the hole going through the frame. Our safety, and the safety of many others across the nation is at risk, specifically with the reports of motorhome fires to date. THE existing problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center at this time. THE existing problem has not been confirmed by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. NO indicators of any kind for system failure are included on this model. Propane smell or fire would be immediate. Problem appeared after news broadcast of last motorhome fire; I investigated problem on my own. TWO attempts to report this system problem failed when NHTSA would not accept or recognize vehicle VIN number.

NHTSA ODI #11527403

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2022
Electrical SystemFire

My box truck caught on fire, fire started at the plug in receptacle that keeps the glow plug warm and spread from there. Luckily my across the street neighbor helped put out the fire temporarily with 2 of his fire extinguisher until the fire truck arrived, otherwise it would have been a major catastrophe.

NHTSA ODI #11449743

23,425 miles · Nov 27, 2018
Tires

I WAS DRIVING MY RV DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE INSIDE DUAL BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OUT I NOTICED A VIBRATION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE RV. A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE TREAD CAME OFF COMPLETELY LEAVING ONLY THE SIDE WALLS. I DO NOT REMEMBER RUNNING OVER ANY OBJECTS…

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I WAS DRIVING MY RV DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE INSIDE DUAL BLEW OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OUT I NOTICED A VIBRATION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE RV. A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE TREAD CAME OFF COMPLETELY LEAVING ONLY THE SIDE WALLS. I DO NOT REMEMBER RUNNING OVER ANY OBJECTS IN THE FREEWAY AND HAD NOT HIT ANY POT HOLES. THIS TIRE WAS THREE YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD CHECKED AND VERIFIED THE TIRE PRESSURE BEFORE LEAVING AND ENSURED THAT I HAD INFLATED THE TIRES TO THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE PER THE VEHICLES OWNER MANUAL 80 PSI. THESE TIRES WERE THE DEFINITY DAKOTA LT225/75/16 TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY PEP BOYS AS I HAD PURCHASED THE HAZARD WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11154216

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2018
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V782000 (EQUIPMENT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-855-262-3540 APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL FOR A CALL BACK, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V782000 (EQUIPMENT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-855-262-3540 APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL FOR A CALL BACK, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAD PASSED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11074505

119,000 miles · Mar 16, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE, STARTER AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE, STARTER AND THE HOP OIL PRESSURE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10694474

Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2014
Service BrakesStructure

AVI FOODSYSTEMS VEHICLE # [XXX] IS A DANGER ON THE ROAD IT IS NOT FEDERALLY INSPECTED AND YOU CAN SEE THE TRUCK IS A HAZARD. I FEEL BAD FOR THE DRIVER EVERYTIME I SEE HER COME TO OUR ACCOUNT. SHE IS RISKING HER LIFE DRIVING THAT VEHICLE. THIS TRUCK HAS OHIO PLATES AND IS IN ERIE,PA I WANTED TO INFORM D.O.T. ANONYMOUSLY. I…

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AVI FOODSYSTEMS VEHICLE # [XXX] IS A DANGER ON THE ROAD IT IS NOT FEDERALLY INSPECTED AND YOU CAN SEE THE TRUCK IS A HAZARD. I FEEL BAD FOR THE DRIVER EVERYTIME I SEE HER COME TO OUR ACCOUNT. SHE IS RISKING HER LIFE DRIVING THAT VEHICLE. THIS TRUCK HAS OHIO PLATES AND IS IN ERIE,PA I WANTED TO INFORM D.O.T. ANONYMOUSLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604266

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2014
Tires

BFG COMMERCIAL T/A TIRE (215/85 R16) BLEW OUT AND HAD TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING SOME VEHICLE DAMAGE. TIRE WAS UNDER 5 YEARS OLD PER DOT DATE CODE, UNDER 15K MILES, HAD GOOD TREAD, NO INDICATION OF DAMAGE. NO KNOWN IMPACT WITH ANY ROAD DEBRIS, BLOW OUT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING UNDER 55 MPH. VERY LITTLE WARNING, JUST SLIGHT F…

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BFG COMMERCIAL T/A TIRE (215/85 R16) BLEW OUT AND HAD TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING SOME VEHICLE DAMAGE. TIRE WAS UNDER 5 YEARS OLD PER DOT DATE CODE, UNDER 15K MILES, HAD GOOD TREAD, NO INDICATION OF DAMAGE. NO KNOWN IMPACT WITH ANY ROAD DEBRIS, BLOW OUT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING UNDER 55 MPH. VERY LITTLE WARNING, JUST SLIGHT FEELING OF MISBALANCE BEFORE TIRE EXPLODED. TIRES HAD BEEN CHECKED FOR PROPER INFLATION 2-3 DAYS BEFORE. TIRES WERE VISUALLY INSPECTED DURING TRAVEL - NO SIGNS OF OVER/UNDER INFLATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588286

30,000 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM PUCKS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM EXPANDED WHEN HEATED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. THE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM PUCKS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM EXPANDED WHEN HEATED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ALUMINUM PUCKS WITH STEEL ONES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 3/28/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10553339

26,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD SEIZE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES WOULD SEIZE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE HAD BEEN OTHER REPAIRS THAT INVOLVED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10534107

28,385 miles · Oct 23, 2012
Tires

THE TIRE DEVELOPED A "SLOW LEAK" AT 16,500 MILES SINCE INSTALLATION. THE TIRE DEALER REMOVED THE TIRE AND FOUND THE TIRE TO HAVE A 2-3 INCH SLICE IN THE OUTER SKIN OF THE SIDEWALL WHICH RAN PARALLEL TO AND CLOSEST TO THE RIM (AS OPPOSED TO THE TREAD). IT WAS VERY APPARENT THERE WAS TOTAL SEPERATION OF THE OUTER SIDEWALL FROM THE…

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THE TIRE DEVELOPED A "SLOW LEAK" AT 16,500 MILES SINCE INSTALLATION. THE TIRE DEALER REMOVED THE TIRE AND FOUND THE TIRE TO HAVE A 2-3 INCH SLICE IN THE OUTER SKIN OF THE SIDEWALL WHICH RAN PARALLEL TO AND CLOSEST TO THE RIM (AS OPPOSED TO THE TREAD). IT WAS VERY APPARENT THERE WAS TOTAL SEPERATION OF THE OUTER SIDEWALL FROM THE INNER RIBBING YET THERE WAS ONLY A SLOW LEAK OF PSI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481971

Official recalls

3

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.

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

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.