KnownCarProblems2021 Ford E-450 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford E-450, most often about the steering (41% of complaints, typically around 8,000 miles). It is 4th of 26 E-450 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2021 Ford E-450 problems
Steering
11 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v089000 (steering, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owns 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on the freeway, the contact mentioned that any time another vehicle or object was near the vehicle, it lost steering capabilty. The contact would have to regain control of the steering wheel in order for the steering wheel to…
Brakes
10 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, foundation components.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v089000 (steering, service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
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…
Speed control
6 complaints · 22%Parts named most often: cruise control.
Service advance trac keeps faulting and disabling the cruise control, ABS braking, hill holder, and skid control functions, seems to occur at highway speeds with crosswind
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving the rv 60 MPH with the cruise control feature turned off, the stabili-trac warning light illuminated and the rv decelerated. The contact was able to control the rv, and once the contact turned off and restarted the rv, the rv operated normally. The…
Engine
6 complaints · 22%Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 15%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Ford E-450 recalls
Engine
Risk: Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 7, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25sc7. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning december 22, 2025.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on june 21, 2024. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24s07.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s08.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Fix: 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 left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with seic or bcp, free of charge. The recall began february 15, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s73.
Full defect summary
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.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (rsc) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began may 18, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s13.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021 e-350 and e-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Transmission: differential unit
Risk: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 19, 2020. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s09.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020 f-550 and 2021 e-350 and e-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.
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
Loss of power brake/steering assist post recall 22v089 inspection.
Summary
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. According to the filing, specific hydraulic lines could leak resulting in a sudden loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The remedy involved a dealer inspection of the lines and their replacement as necessary. Only vehicles that failed the inspection received updated parts. On february 9, 2024, ford issued a new re
Questions about the 2021 Ford E-450
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Ford E-450?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (11 complaints, typically around 8,000 miles); brakes (10 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles); speed control (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Ford E-450 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 17, 2025 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Ford E-450?
- It is 4th of 26 E-450 model years by number of complaints, 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.