Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

2001 Ford E-450 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2001 Ford E-450 with NHTSA, most often about the wheels & tires (7) and the suspension (4). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2009 for the vehicle speed control. For comparison, the 2000 has 42 and the 2002 has 13.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical E-450 year, for its age

#171 most complained-about 2001 vehicle

Complaints
16
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2001 Ford E-450 problems

Share of all 16 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2001 Ford E-450 recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Vehicle speed control

09V3990004,500,000 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix
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.

Vehicle speed control

06V2860001,200,000 vehicles affected

The problem
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
The risk
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
The fix
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. (Note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)

What owners say

Be the first E-450 owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

16 complaints about the 2001 Ford E-450

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Airbags

The contact owns a 2001 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated while restarting the vehicle, the front driver's side air bag deployed independently. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor seek medical attention. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11438020
Wheels & tires

Multiple failures of nearly new nexen roadian lt tire used on two separate ford e-450 limo/shuttle chassis. Four failures were experienced within a 6 month period, and included cord/tread/inner liner separation, bulging and related failures. One failure resulted in a blow-out at speed, one failure resulted in a serious and/or catastrophic bulge/separation, and the remaining failures were similar, but caught prior to becoming dangerous. The remaining two tires were replaced/discarded w/o observed failure. All...

Read the full complaint

tires were replaced. One experienced, heavy truck repair and mobile truck tire service located in southern california indicated that the tires were unsafe. The brand, nexen, made in korea, is not listed in the cpsc list of tire manufacturers? *Tr

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10281269
Brakes

For an unknown reason my 2001 ford e450 abs light came on stayed on after I started my motorhome. The unit was parked for 4 days prior to this problem. The light didn't come one while driving to the location, only after being parked for the four days. *Nm

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10165693
Wheels & tires

I just had a tire blowout/tread separation on a 2001 ford e450 rv. The vehicle has 28000 miles and the treads show little wear. The tires are firestone steeltex radial r4s ii lt225/75 r 16 load range e. Upon inspection of the other tires, notices cracks on the sidewalls of all the remaining tires and a bubble on the sidewall of one tire. What are my actions in regards to replacement of these tires? Thanks. *Nm

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10164958
Engine & cooling

This is an update to odi #10143249. Driving on i70 in denver, blew another spark plug out of the cylinder head. This time it stripped all the threads out. 2) Caused a cost of tow and repairs. *Jb 3) service repair did a hielarch (sp?) On the spark plug sleeve. Total incurred cost = $631.30. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10143250
Engine & cooling

Driving on i70 in denver, blew another spark plug out of the cylinder head. This time it stripped all the threads out. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10143249
Engine & cooling

1- Traveling from east coast west through indiana 2- spark plug came out of cylinder causing a breakdown and towing 3- service required to replaced plug and harness - cost of 75 for tow and 213.85 For parts/labor. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10140175
Suspension

A crack in the drivers side spring tower frame on a 2001 ford e-450 ambulance.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10122076
Wheels & tires

I have a 2001 jayco 33' class c motor home on a ford e-450 v-10 chassis. I was traveling on hi I 5 south about 45 miles from sacramento, at 65 mph when the right rear dual tires blew out. The outside tire tread came off and flew onto the hawaii, the inside dual tread came off and wrapped around the axel. The tires are firestone steeltex lt/225/75r16. I have both complete treads and the inside is very smooth all the way around. I have what is left of the rest of the tires. I contacted ford and firestone on...

Read the full complaint

sept. 19Th and gave the same report. The blowouts caused some damage to the motor home storage compartment. Ford took my info and did not know what ford would do with the info. Firestone said they would send me complaint forms. I am telling you folks about this as I have talked to other people that have had the same problem and firestone has been no help. I think this is a very serious safety issue. My wife and I credit the excellent design, and performance of the ford vehicle and braking system. I had no trouble handling the vehicle and stopping other than the crazy drivers that would not get out of the way. I can send pictures of the tires to you by email if you want. I am positive that I was not overweight and the tire pressure was correct. The inside tire had about 5 to 7000 miles on it and the outside had about 42000 on it however there is a lot of tread left. I had two other blowouts in november 2002 near barstow, calif. The right front blew from a road hazard and when I got home the inside right dual was flat. I bought two new michelins tires for the front. My tire shop said the others were good to use. I am taking rv to my tire shop on sept. 22 And getting all firestone tires taken off and putting on michelin's. I have also had 3 flats on this mh in the past two years. I think it was valve stem failures. Please respond by phone or email prior to oct 3rd. *Jb

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10039194
Wheels & tires

Firestone steeltex lt22575r16 tread seperation. Tire pres:75psi, speed 65, temp:80f, road surface: smooth highway,. This is also the third tire failure on this rv. ( At work our ford suv has had three tire failures just like my rv)

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10019151
Suspension

We believe this motor home was sold to us with dealership knowing of axle problem, causing rv unable to have wheel alignment corrected. Front rear axle has slipped causing driving hazard. May have caused further damage to vehicle making it unsafe to operate. Rv had numerous smaller problems with this last one being the worst. This has caused us lots of loss of time to travel and enjoy the rv. Was advised not to take any long trips because of problem. Was on a vacation when problem with shower pan occured and shade...

Read the full complaint

broke and drawers broke. At same time refrigerator leaked water onto wood floor, which needs to be replaced.In addition, this has created an impairment of market value because of defects in this vehicle.*Ak

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 765973
Wheels & tires

I was driving down i94 in mpls, when the tire blew. I had 3 kids in the rv and a boat behind. Almost lost complete control of vehicle. Was able to steer rv to shoulder of road. The entire tire had been completed demolished. It looks like complete tread separation, similar to other firestone issues. Tire damaged underneath storage compartment of the rv, cost me $200 for emergency roadside repair, approx. $2000 In damage to vehicle, and cost of a new spare (which I haven't bought yet). I was travelling the speed limit, no road issues, no objects - nothing. Tire completing separated with no provocation. I could have been killed, along with my entire family.*Ak

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 765194
Wheels & tires

I had two of these tires blew out within 400 miles of each other. If ypu put the tires side by side the damage to tires look almost exactley the same. Ther is 10,000 miles on these tires. The sidewall on both tires seperate from thread. *Ak

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 762399
Wheels & tires

Vehicle experienced blow out of the right side and left side dual tires, both on different occasions. First incident the entire face came off the right side leaving only the sidewalls, second incident had partial separation of tread.(Firestone tires lt225/75r16 dot#8x1l 1x1 4700 dh5515x d08r, the second tire was a dot 8x1l 1x1 4700 dh515x d16r) *jg

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 564088
SuspensionBrakes

Body design is too large for e450 van cutaway, brakes can not handle weight. Stopping distance is impaired. Vehicle is unstable in turns and crashs. Brakes last 20,000 miles to 30,000 miles, tires the same.

Filed Suspension · Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 750162
Suspension

During t wo trips on interstate highways we encountered winds from 10 to 30 mph. On these occasions I found it necessary to slow down to 40 to 50 mph speed in order to control motor home. I had to keep the steering wheel turned at 45 to 90 degrees to keep the unit going straight. Additionally each time a 18 wheel truck passed I had to hold the wheel tightly, as the unit was pushed to the right side of the road and swayed from side to side. When the gas tank is filled with 55 gallons (330 lbs) the steering...

Read the full complaint

changes completely. The front end of the truck feels light. The truck wanders from side to side. Some one is going to be killed when they over steer attempting to keep the unit going straight even in mild winds. Warranty statement by winnebago: items not subject to warranty coverage: chassis. These items are covered under the manufacturers individual warranty. Warranty statement by ford: warranty is void if: altering or modifying the vehicle-including the body chassis or component - after the vehicle leaves fords's control. The possible reason for swaying and loose steering are. Winnebago added 4 feet to the ford chassis. The purpose was to add a slide out behing the rear wheels. This added additional weight behind the rear wheels. When filling the gas tank additional weight is added behind rear wheels causing steering to change until gas is used. Winnebago did not alter or improve the suspension provided by ford even though they modified the length of the chassis.*Ak

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 748754

Ford E-450: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200533732Engine & coolingF
20040400-B
200318502Acceleration & cruise controlD
200213301Wheels & tiresC
200116200Wheels & tiresC
200042202Wheels & tiresF
199973203Wheels & tiresF
19980200-A
19970200-A
All E-450 years

2001 Ford E-450 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Own a 2001 Ford E-450? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 2001 Ford E-450

Does the 2001 Ford E-450 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Ford E-450: vehicle speed control (October 2009); vehicle speed control (August 2006). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford E-450?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the wheels & tires (7), suspension (4), engine & cooling (3).

How many complaints has the 2001 Ford E-450 had?

16 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 19, 2001 and the latest on October 25, 2021. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2001 Ford E-450 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford E-450 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Ford E-450 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2001 Ford E-450 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience