KnownCarProblems2004 Ford E-450 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford E-450, most often about the engine (37% of complaints, typically around 28,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about E-450 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2004 Ford E-450 problems
Engine
10 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
(1) driving vehicle. (2) intermittent power loss and stalling. After stalling crank/no start (3) took vehicle to dealer for repair, unable to duplicate problem no repairs made. Repeated this process many times with no repairs fixing the problem.
Unknown as to events leading up to the failure. The failure is, vehicle stalls out without warning and at times engine surges with power and loses power. Vehicle is a Ford e 450 with a 6.0 lt diesel , mgf by international truck motors for Ford motor co. Incident first reported oct 28, 2006 and is on going to this…
Transmission
5 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I bought a Ford 2004 e450 with a6. 0 engine and have had transmission problems twice, also replaced 2 heater cores. The vehicle also stalls at high speeds on the highway . I have had no luck with Ford customer support to sell back via lemon law.
We had a major problem with the vehicle not starting when it was dispatched to a call. Internal oil cooler disentigrated, and leaked oil into the cooling system. The cam sensors, and injectors have been replaced several times. The transmission had to be repaired shortly after purchase, and has had all of the internal…
Electrical
5 complaints · 19%Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
We had a major problem with the vehicle not starting when it was dispatched to a call. Internal oil cooler disentigrated, and leaked oil into the cooling system. The cam sensors, and injectors have been replaced several times. The transmission had to be repaired shortly after purchase, and has had all of the internal…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford E-450. While driving various speeds, the vehicle spontaneously stalled. The vehicle usually restarts itself after the failure occurs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on five occasions and all the fuel injectors were replaced. A mechanic stated that the fuel injection control module…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
Problem: hesitation on acceleration, rough idles, loss of power upon acceleration. Injector found clogged on 12-2006. Replaced turbo assembly and cold air boot on 12/20/2006. Filed written complaint to Ford in april 2006 for recurring engine issues. Ford never answered. On 1/30/09 truck not running and Ford replaced…
Engine was replaced 3 times by Ford dealership, but problem never fixed , every re-build engine that was installed had diff. Issue , then the last one just caught in fire from leaking oil and also from the way they installed 11-01-07 date caught in fire.
Brakes
4 complaints · 15%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…
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…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 15%I have had three tire tread separations for tires I purchased in 2006 for my rv. The tires are cooper srm II, lt225/75r16. The previous two were rear tires that were replaced. The most recent one happened on a front tire while traveling at highway speeds.
The tire developed a "slow leak" at 16,500 miles since installation. The tire dealer removed the tire and found the tire to have a 2-3 inch slice in the outer skin of the sidewall which ran parallel to and closest to the rim (as opposed to the tread). It was very apparent there was total seperation of the outer…
Equipment
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: appliance, recreational vehicle/trailer.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Ford E-450 recalls
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Fix: Matthews 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 matthews specialty at 336-297-9600.
Full defect summary
Matthews is recalling 8 my 1998 bluebird, my 2004 ford e450, my 2005-2006 thomas built buses, my 2006 international bus, my 2007 chevrolet 5500, freightliner and dodge sprinter trucks, transit buses, and specialty vehicles equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installation in motor vehicles." the threshold warning system may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user in a certain spot within the defined threshold area.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.
Fix: Matthews 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 mattews specialty at 336-297-9600.
Full defect summary
Matthews is recalling 8 my 1998 bluebird, my 2004 ford e450, my 2005-2006 thomas built bus, my 2006 international bus, my 2007 chevrolet 5500, freightliner and dodge sprinter trucks, transit buses, and specialty vehicles equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift system accessible for motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on july 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans equipped with 6.0l diesel engines may experience stalling without warning while driving and may or may not restart.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: The electrical short may cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.
Fix: Dealers will install a new fuse in the ABS circuit and install a heat shield over the ABS module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Full defect summary
On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (ABS) module may experience an electrical short.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the ABS module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.
Full defect summary
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 create hot particles.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hvac switch failures
Summary
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 injuries were sustained.however, the bus was carrying special needs children when the driver noticed smoke coming from the dash.the driver was able to evacuate the children prior to the vehicle becoming engulfed in flames.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea) to d
Questions about the 2004 Ford E-450
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford E-450?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (10 complaints, typically around 28,500 miles); transmission (5 complaints); electrical (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Ford E-450 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 8, 2008 (equipment Adaptive/Mobility). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Ford E-450?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about E-450 model year since 2000, with 27 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.