NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Ford E-450 Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Ford E-450 has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Ford E-450. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Ford E-450 owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford E-450, describing incidents dated December 2, 2007 to February 15, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Back Over Prevention 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11514039 · Filed March 27, 2023
The component that failed was the transmission and transmission pump. We have receipts and digital verification of this situation as a common problem with this Ford model. Our safety was put at risk as the vehicle suddenly lost power on the highway in a rural area and we had to drift with what speed…
ODI #10556951 · Filed December 22, 2013
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HWY ENGINE LOSS POWER. TRUCK WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPG. APPROX THREE MONTHS LATER IT DONE IT AGAIN. ON TWO MORE TIMES IT SHUT OFF ON INTERSTATE . *TR
ODI #10551008 · Filed November 5, 2013
PURCHASED THIS MOTOR-HOME NEW IN 2009. DROVE THE MOTOR-HOME 4 YEARS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. IN MAY OF 2013, I PURCHASED 6 DELTA ESSENTIAL TIRES ( LT225/75R16 ) TO REPLACE THE OLD TIRES THAT WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CRACKS IN THE SIDE WALLS. THEN WE TOOK A 7500 MILE…

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Ford E-450 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE09-055: HVAC Switch Failures
Closed April 21, 2010

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Wheelchair Lift Platform Cracking

NHTSA #15V112000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported February 25, 2015 · Farber Specialty Vehicles

Potentially affected: 117 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 14E-041 · Owners notified March 24, 2015 · Vehicles built January 15, 2007 – July 24, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Farber Specialty Vehicles (Farber) is recalling various specialty vehicles modified by Farber and equipped with model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Safety consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Manufacturer remedy

Farber will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Farber customer service at 1-800-331-3188, or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Farber's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ricon Wheelchair Lift - Platform Cracking

NHTSA #14V595000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported September 24, 2014 · Elkhart Coach

Potentially affected: 437 vehicles

Owners notified October 1, 2014 · Vehicles built January 1, 2006 – May 1, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Elkhart Coach (Elkhart) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-350 and Ford E-450 vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to May 1, 2014 and equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

Elkhart will notify owners to take the vehicles to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Owners may also contact Elkhart customer service at 1-574-264-5179. This recall has been superseded by campaign 15V-768.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

WHEELCHAIR LIFTS/INTERLOCK BELT

NHTSA #10V128000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2010 · ELKHART COACH

Potentially affected: 41 vehicles

Owners notified July 27, 2010

Defect description

ELKHART COACH HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES FITTED WITH RICON PUBLIC USE LIFTS. THE RESTRAINT BELT ON THESE LIFTS WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE LIFT FROM MOVING, UNLESS THE TONGUE OF THE BELT IS FULLY ENGAGED AND LATCHED IN THE BUCKLE. RICON HAS DISCOVERED, HOWEVER, THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATOR TO INSERT THE BELT TONGUE INTO THE BUCKLE WITHOUT FULLY ENGAGING THE LATCHING MECHANISM. IN THIS CASE, THE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LATCHED, AND THE OPERATOR COULD RUN THE LIFT. IF THE RESTRAINT BELT TONGUE IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED INTO THE RESTRAINT BELT BUCKLE, AND LATCHED, THE LIFT MAY OPERATE WITH AN OCCUPANT ON THE PLATFORM.

Safety consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE WITHOUT THE RESTRAINT BELT PROPERLY BUCKLED.

Manufacturer remedy

ELKHART COACH IS WORKING WITH RICON AND RICON WILL BE HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. PLEASE SEE RICON'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-060. RICON WILL PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH A WARNING DECAL AND A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-322-2884, EMAILING AT [email protected].

Notes

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> .

WHEELCHAIR LIFTS/UP FUNCTION SWITCH

NHTSA #10V130000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2010 · ELKHART COACH

Potentially affected: 200 vehicles

Owners notified July 27, 2010

Defect description

ELKHART COACH HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS, DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION. IF THE "UP" SWITCH IS RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 SECOND BEFORE STOPPING. THE CONTINUED UPWARD TRAVEL MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.

Safety consequence

WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

Manufacturer remedy

ELKHART COACH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. CURRENTLY RICON IS DEVELOPING A SOFTWARE SOLUTION AND IS NOT AVAILABLE. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800- 322-2884, EMAILING AT [email protected].

Notes

AIR CONDITIONER

NHTSA #09V456000 · Equipment — Appliance — Air Conditioner · NHTSA notice

Reported November 19, 2009 · CUES, INC.

Potentially affected: 269 vehicles

Owners notified January 5, 2010

Defect description

CUES, INC. IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 SERVICE VEHICLES BUILT ON VARIOUS CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

Safety consequence

THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

CUES IS WORKING WITH CARRIER TO REMEDY THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR CUES AT 1-407-849-0190.

Notes

AIRV CEILING ASSEMBLIES/HEATER ELEMENT

NHTSA #09V434000 · Equipment — Appliance — Air Conditioner · NHTSA notice

Reported November 13, 2009 · ENG MOBILE SYSTEM, INC

Potentially affected: 53 vehicles

Owners notified December 31, 2009 · Vehicles built May 1, 2007 – August 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHEVROLET W5500, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 DODGE 3500, MODEL YEAR 2009 MIGHTY MOVER, MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 FORD E-250, E-350 AND E-450, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 GMC W4500, MODEL YEAR 2007 INTERNATIONAL 4300, MODEL YEAR 2009 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER AIRV CEILING UNITS, MODEL NOS. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, AND 68RV0010EA. THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THESE ASSEMBLIES MAY BE DEFECTIVE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE UNIT TO CREATE SMOKE OR SPARKS.

Safety consequence

THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED BY CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE CARRIER'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-053. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CARRIER AT 1-877-584-7059 OR E-N-G MOBILE SYSTEM AT 1-925-798-4060.

Notes

THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM/FMVSS 404/RICON

NHTSA #08V677000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2008 · COLONIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Potentially affected: 50 vehicles

Owners notified December 23, 2008 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

COLONIAL IS RECALLING 50 MY 2006-2008 FORD E350, E450, AND CHEVROLET G-VAN CUTAWAY CHASSIS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS 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.

Safety consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Manufacturer remedy

COLONIAL 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 COLONIAL AT 1-301-698-5100.

Notes

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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 403/ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK/RICON

NHTSA #08V676000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · NHTSA notice

Reported December 18, 2008 · COLONIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Potentially affected: 50 vehicles

Owners notified December 23, 2008 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

COLONIAL IS RECALLING 50 MY 2006-2008 FORD E350, E450, AND CHEVROLET G-VAN CUTAWAY CHASSIS VEHICLES AND 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 SYSTEMS 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.

Safety consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Manufacturer remedy

COLONIAL 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 COLONIAL AT 1-301-698-5100.

Notes

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Ford E-450. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Ford E-450.

Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11514039

Incident: February 15, 2023 · Filed: March 27, 2023

The component that failed was the transmission and transmission pump. We have receipts and digital verification of this situation as a common problem with this Ford model. Our safety was put at risk as the vehicle suddenly lost power on the highway in a rural area and we had to drift with what speed we had left to the right lane shoulder and hope there was a shoulder as we could not back up or go forward. The vehicle is in claims processing with insurance, however 3 experts in the auto industry reported this a common problem for this make/model of Ford. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure--specifically there is not a dash gauge for the transmission temperature and there should be.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10556951

Incident: December 17, 2013 · Filed: December 22, 2013

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HWY ENGINE LOSS POWER. TRUCK WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPG. APPROX THREE MONTHS LATER IT DONE IT AGAIN. ON TWO MORE TIMES IT SHUT OFF ON INTERSTATE . *TR

Tires; Wheels

ODI #10551008

Incident: October 10, 2013 · Filed: November 5, 2013

PURCHASED THIS MOTOR-HOME NEW IN 2009. DROVE THE MOTOR-HOME 4 YEARS APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. IN MAY OF 2013, I PURCHASED 6 DELTA ESSENTIAL TIRES ( LT225/75R16 ) TO REPLACE THE OLD TIRES THAT WOULD NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CRACKS IN THE SIDE WALLS. THEN WE TOOK A 7500 MILE TRIP ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BACK WITHOUT INCIDENT. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME UPON ROUTINE INSPECTION OF MY TIRES I FOUND A BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF A REAR PASSENGER INSIDE DUAL TIRE. THE TIRE DEALER REPLACED THAT TIRE AT NO COST. ABOUT TWO MONTH LATER 10/09/2013, WE LEFT ON A TRIP TO DISNEY IN FLORIDA. ON 10/10/2013 WHILE ON I-95 SOUTH BOUND NEAR MIDWAY, GA. THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTSIDE REAR DUAL TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO 2 COMPARTMENTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE HAD THE TIRE REPLACED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ( I-95) WHERE IT HAD BLOWN AND THEN FOUND A PLACE TO STAY FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING 10/11/2013, BEFORE WE CONTINUED OUR TRIP I PERFORMED MY USUAL PRE-TRIP INSPECTION CONCENTRATING ON THE TIRES AND NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL. AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS INTO THE TRIP NEAR ORMOND,FLORIDA THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE REAR DUAL TREAD SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO 2 COMPARTMENT ON THAT SIDE. WE ALSO HAD TO PURCHASE A TIRE FROM ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THAT TIRE DUE TO BEING OUT OF SPARES. WE FINISHED THE TRIP AND RETURNED HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE TIRE DEALER AND INSURANCE COMPANY IN MAKING REPAIRS TO OUR MOTOR-HOME. MY MAIN CONCERN IS 3 OUT OF 6 TIRES FAILED UNDER 10,000 MILES AND THESE TIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. AS A NOTE I DO CHECK MY TIRES ROUTINELY... *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10294291

Incident: November 12, 2009 · Filed: December 2, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ECONOLINE E450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED FUEL. HE ALSO CHECKED THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL LINES AND DIDN'T OBSERVED ANY DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A BAD SEAM WELD ON THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7921 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7852. UPDATED 12/22/09

Tires

ODI #10261754

Incident: March 13, 2009 · Filed: March 13, 2009

2008 FORD E450, GULFSTREAM CLASS "C" MOTOR HOME. NO ACCIDENT. OBSERVED SEVERE CRACKING IN ALL TIRES, DRYROT. LATER QUESTION TO ID WHICH TIRE, LISTED RF. IT IS ALL 6 TIRES ON GROUND AND SPARE. 7 TOTAL. TOOK IN TO DEALER THIS DATE. THE CONTACTED MFG. MFG OK'ED REPLACEMENT HOWEVER REQUIRES 20% PAYMENT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10236523

Incident: December 2, 2007 · Filed: July 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD E450 HE PURCHASED IN 2007. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, HE FELT THAT THE ACCELERATOR IS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IT IS A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,300.

Other Ford E-450 model years

Check your 2008 Ford E-450 VIN

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