Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | 54% | 6,000 miles |
| 2021 | 10 | 37% | 8,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 9% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 12% | 141,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 17% | 5,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 25% | 30,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 10% | 130,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 15% | 30,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 11% | 238,000 miles |
| 2002 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2001 | 2 | 13% | 20,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 1999 | 20 | 27% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-450. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the recall. The contact stated that the recall repair was not performed; however, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the recall repair was not needed, and that the vehicle was good to be driven. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering and the service brakes were inoperable. The contact stated that the steering failed to function as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to Castle Ford in Michigan City. …
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Forester built on a 2022 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH downhill, he was depressing the brake pedal however, the RV failed to stop as needed. The contact stated that he was towing a 2000 Jeep Wrangler during the failure and the brakes on the vehicle were also applied and caused the motorhome to stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brakes and steering were inoperable. The motorhome was not drivable. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure but was informed they were unable to service a trailer that size. The dealer referred the contact to another repair shop. The motorhome was towed to repair shop and was informed the power steering hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was inspected however, while making a turn into a service station, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that she was directed to a leak coming from the vehicle. The contact notified the dealer, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hydro-boost power failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and covered the cost of the tow, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 4,826.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle then experienced a loss of power steering assist. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they were not equipped to perform recall repairs on RVs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the nearest dealer able to perform the recall repair was more than 100 miles away. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Ford e-450. Whenever the contact drove the vehicle at any speed he noticed that the brakes began to overheat and lock. The dealer stated that the failure could not be serviced or reproduced. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 40000. Updated 2/22/10 updated 07/07/10.
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
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.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford winnebago Mini winnie (na). While driving 65 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated and the contact smelled something burning. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that when she would depress the brake pedal, the brakes would push back against her foot. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 59,000 and failure mileage was 56,000.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit, and replace the power steering lines, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 18, 2022.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Power Brake/Steering Assist Post Recall 22V089 Inspection.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query (RQ) 24003 on February 27, 2024, to evaluate the scope and remedy effectiveness of NHTSA recall 24V097. On February 16, 2022, Ford Motor Company (Ford) issued a safety recall, NHTSA recall 22V089, for certain 2021-2022 Ford E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E-450 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (20), 2021 (10) and 2022 (7) model years. Brake complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford E-450 brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 24V-097 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 9, 2024); 22V-089 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Feb 16, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford E-450 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 83% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › caliper (19 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › pads (3).
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.