Most common 2008 Ford E-450 problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford E-450 complaints by model year
Best E-450 years: 2009, 2012, 2010. Years to avoid: 2021, 2022, 1999, 2000, 2005. Compare all years →
2008 Ford E-450 recalls (8)
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.
Remedy: Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers.
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.
Remedy: Elkhart will notify owners to take the vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Elkhart coach has notified NHTSA about a defect in certain transit buses equipped with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts, due to a problem in the software that controls the lift's "up" function.
Remedy: Elkhart coach will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers free of charge. Currently ricon is developing a software solution and is not available.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Elkhart coach has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain transit buses fitted with ricon public use lifts. The restraint belt on these lifts was designed to prevent the lift from moving, unless the tongue of the belt is fully engaged and latched in the buckle.
Remedy: Elkhart coach is working with ricon and ricon will be handling the remedy for this campaign. Please see ricon's defect report 09e-060. Ricon will provide customers with a warning decal and a dvd-based training aid.
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
Cues, inc. Is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 service vehicles built on various chassis equipped with carrier airv ceiling units, model nos. 68rv0010ba, 68rv0012ca, and 68rv0010ea. The heater element in these assemblies May be defective which could cause the unit to create smoke or sparks.
Remedy: Cues is working with carrier to remedy the affected vehicles. Repairs will be made by carrier free of charge. Please see carrier's defect report 09e-053. The safety recall began on January 5, 2010.
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
E-n-g mobile system is recalling certain model year 2008 Chevrolet w5500, model year 2007-2009 Dodge 3500, model year 2009 mighty mover, model year 2006-2009 Ford e-250, e-350 and e-450, model year 2008-2009 GMC w4500, model year 2007 international 4300, model year 2009 Toyota Land cruiser vehicles equipped with carrier airv…
Remedy: E-n-g mobile system will notify owners and the vehicles will be repaired by carrier free of charge. Please see carrier's defect report 09e-053. The safety recall is expected to begin during December 2009.
Show 2 more recalls
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Colonial is recalling 50 my 2006-2008 Ford e350, e450, and Chevrolet g-van cutaway chassis vehicles equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Colonial 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 colonial at 1-301-698-5100.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Colonial is recalling 50 my 2006-2008 Ford e350, e450, and Chevrolet g-van cutaway chassis vehicles and equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Colonial 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 colonial at 1-301-698-5100.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Ford E-450:
HVAC Switch Failures
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…
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Ford E-450 a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 E-450 rates better than average: 46% fewer complaints than a typical year of the E-450 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Ford E-450?
The engine & cooling — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the wheels & tires (2) and fuel & propulsion system (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford E-450 have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2008 Ford E-450, the most recent from February 25, 2015 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford E-450?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2012 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2022, 1999, 2000 and 2005. See the full Ford E-450 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Ford E-450 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 20,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.