Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% | 3,000 miles |
| 2021 | 6 | 22% | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 18% | 3,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 6% | 4,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 17% | 2,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 25% | 23,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 14% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 50% | 15,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 33% | 20,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 25% | 66,000 miles |
| 2006 | 10 | 50% | 25,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 21% | 46,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 37% | 32,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 23% | 43,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 19% | 95,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% | 43,000 miles |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Engine camshaft and lifters failed and were inspected by Ford dealer, which corrected the issue by replacing the engine. Engine can failed and truck get stuck in the middle of the road. In the past 6 months its our 4th Ford truck with the same issue and a lot of other Fedex contractors that purchased a Ford truck with the 7.3L engine are reporting the same issue. No warning light was on in this vehicle, just started with a knocking sound that got worse until it got to the dealer and engine had to be replaced
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V795000 (Engine) and 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available and Parts distribution disconnect respectively.
Under normal operating conditions we have had two engines (v-10, 6.8l) throw a spark plug, stripping out the threads. Both vehicles had been on the road for about an hour and upon leaving a stoplight blew the plugs, causing lost of power, raw fuel smell, leading to the vehicles being towed to the repair shop. 2005 Ford e-450, cylinder #3, @ 193,096 miles on engine; horizon Ford in seattle recommend replacing engine, replaced with Ford re-manufactured engine. 2007 Ford e-450, cylinder #3, @ 150,039 miles on engine; repaired under Ford TSB 07-21-2 with insert.
Employees were driving truck on a level road, and it rapidly lost power. They stopped and called me, and I told them to check a number of things. Everything looked OK. Brought the vehicle to Ford dealer, and was informed that the fuel tank was rusted/rusting on the inside. They advised me that the tank, sending unit, and fuel pump needed to be replaced, before they could see if the injectors, fuel lines, and turbo were damaged. I checked on the internet before authorizing the repairs, and was astounded by the amount of people that had the same exact issues. The tanks are defective, and delaminate, therefore clogging the fuel system. They repair bill that I was quoted before we even got to the engine, was $3700.00+tax!!!. This is unreal that the NHTSA has not forced a recall yet. Does someone have to die first? Some people reported repair bills of $11,000+!! I am a small business owner. …
The contact owns a 2006 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH there was a high-pressure oil leak. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure to be high-pressure oil leak and EGR failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
Pulled up to stop sign. When making right turn, onto interstate frontage road, throttle quit working, wrench ligh and check engine light came on. Coasted to side of road. Vehicle had to be towed in to Ford dealer. Was told electronic throttle control shut down vehicle, and throttle body would have to be replaced. Had it happened another minute latter it would have failed in the middle of an interstate highway.
This vehicle is a motorhome, build on the 2005 e450 cab/chassis with a gas v10 engine. While driving in a single lane construction zone on the interstate the electronic throttle body system failed, and the engine suddenly stopped responding to the accelerator pedal. As a result the vehicle suddenly lost power and slowed to a very very low speed (a few inches per second). As traffic approached and built up behind I inched the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was unable to move under it's own power any further and required a tow. It was an extremely dangerous situation on a crowded highway, in a construction zone, with my family.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford e-450. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ficm module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred six days later. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,213.
Related recalls (3)
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and…
Engine and engine cooling
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…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E-450 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (10), 2006 (10), 2005 (7) and 2021 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Ford E-450 engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-793 (engine, Nov 17, 2025); 20V-795 (engine, Dec 17, 2020); 04V-445 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford E-450 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 64% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (7 mentions), followed by the engine › diesel (6).
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.