2001 Ford E-450 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
What could happen: 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 to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 E-450.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06V286000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: 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)
Notes: FORD RECALL NO. 05S28. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen: 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, 200…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 E-450.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V399000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-222-2751.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 09S09. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2001 Ford E-450 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (8), Suspension (5), Brakes (3), Hydraulic (3), Engine (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/25/2021 · 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 fa…
08/20/2009 · 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…
08/16/2006 · 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
08/08/2006 · 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 ACTIO…
11/19/2005 · Engine
DRIVING ON I70 IN DENVER, BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THIS TIME IT STRIPPED ALL THE THREADS OUT. *JB
11/19/2005 · Engine
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
10/18/2005 · Engine
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
05/25/2005 · Suspension
A CRACK IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SPRING TOWER FRAME ON A 2001 FORD E-450 AMBULANCE.