VehicleVerdict

2000 Ford E-450 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 45 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.6 times the median E-450 year — the 2000 model ranks #3 of 35 E-450 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: tires & wheels issues account for 69% of all reports (31 of 45), far ahead of suspension at 3.

45

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other E-450 years?

E-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted83 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 5 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 18 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 83 complaints2000: 45 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 16 complaints2003: 22 complaints2004: 45 complaints2005: 41 complaints2006: 26 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 16 complaints2014: 5 complaints2015: 8 complaints2016: 22 complaints2017: 16 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 4 complaints2021: 51 complaints2022: 22 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 5 complaints2026: 6 complaints2027: 0 complaints
E-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-450 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Ford E-450 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels3169%
Engine37%
Suspension37%
Brakes37%
Speed Control12%
Transmission12%
Electrical System12%
Lighting12%
Other12%

Does the 2000 Ford E-450 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V399000Speed ControlOctober 13, 2009 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

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.

08V519000OtherOctober 6, 2008 · 133 units

Defect

MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS 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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

MOBILITYWORKS 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 MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

06V286000Speed ControlAugust 1, 2006 · 1,200,000 units

Defect

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)

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TREAD SEPARATION OCCURRED ON BACK WHEEL DURING TRAVEL. TEMPARATURE WAS COOL AND TIRE AIR PRESSURE WAS NORMAL. I UNDERSTAND TAHT TEH STEELTEX WAS NOT PART OF THE ORIGINAL RECALL BUT I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT IN CASE THERE ARE OTHERS WHO MAY HAVE INCURRED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK (DOT NUMBER:…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 25, 2001

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINNEBAGO MINI WINNIE (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN SHE WOULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD PUSH BACK AGAINST HER FOOT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 24, 2007 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING TWO U-BOLTS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAN, A TIRE BLEWOUT AND CREATED A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE AMBULANCE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WROTE IN BEHALF OF THE RUSHFORD COMMUNITY AMBULANCE SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 24, 2002

“OUR RV HAS A V-10 ENGINE. WE DROVE 244 MILES TO THE BEACH ON THANKSGIVING WEEK. NO PROBLEMS UNTIL WE HAD TO STOP AND WAIT ON A PARKING SPACE. WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WHEN WE RESTARTED IT A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE ENGINE. IT BROKE THE PIECE ON TOP OF IT. WE WERE BROKE DOWN AT THE BEACH ON A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 22, 2016

“ON OCCASION, WHEN USING THE RIGHT DIRECTIONAL TURN SIGNAL, THERE IS INTERMITTENT SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH A STRONG "BURNING" SMELL. RETURNING THE DIRECTIONAL TO IT'S NEUTRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKING. A FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH IN THE STEERING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 21, 2008

2000 Ford E-450 — common questions

Is the 2000 Ford E-450 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 45 complaints put the 2000 model at #3 of 35 E-450 years. It is one of the E-450 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 E-450 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (31 complaints), suspension (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2000 Ford E-450 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Ford E-450. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Ford E-450 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford E-450 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-450 years to avoid are 1999, 2021, 2000, 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among E-450 years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.