VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford E-450 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 41 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.1 times the median E-450 year — the 2005 model ranks #5 of 35 E-450 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (7), electrical system (7), and transmission (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

41

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other E-450 years?

See all E-450 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford E-450 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System717%
Engine717%
Fuel System615%
Transmission615%
Tires & Wheels512%
Speed Control25%
Brakes25%
Suspension25%
Body & Structure12%
Latches & Locks12%
Other12%
Steering12%

Does the 2005 Ford E-450 have recalls?

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

19V401000OtherMay 29, 2019 · 22 units

Defect

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists (VCI) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-550, 2014 E-350 and E-450, 2015 F-250 and F-450, 2016 E-450, 2017 E-350, F-450 and E-450, 2018 F-350, 2010 E-450, 2005-2006 E-450, 2009 E-450 and Chevrolet C4500-based Type I and Type III ambulances equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The monitors may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.

Consequence

The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists will work with ASA to notify the owners, and remedy the displays, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may contact ASA Electronics at 1-800-384-4400.

08V644000OtherDecember 5, 2008 · 1 units

Defect

NEW YORK BUS SALES IS RECALLING 1 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFT WHICH IT INSTALLED ON A FORD SCHOOL BUS, MODEL E450. THE VEHICLE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN 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

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

Remedy

NEW YORK BUS SALES 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 NEW YORK BUS SALES AT 1-315-687-3969.

08V643000OtherDecember 4, 2008 · 1 units

Defect

NEW YORK BUS SALES IS RECALLING 1 RICON WHEELCHAIR LIFT WHICH IT INSTALLED ON A FORD SCHOOL BUS, MODEL E450. THE VEHICLE FAILS 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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

NEW YORK BUS SALES 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 NEW YORK BUS SALES AT 1-315-687-3969.

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.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

05V270000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2005 · 180,104 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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.

04V603000OtherDecember 20, 2004 · 2,902 units

Defect

CERTAIN CUT-AWAY INCOMPLETE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH LT225/75R16E TIRES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS.' THE TIRE PRESSURE IS INCORRECTLY LISTED ON THE LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES.

Consequence

AT THE INCORRECTLY STATED PRESSURE, THE REAR TIRES ARE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) FOR THE REAR AXLE.

Remedy

OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL BE MAILED SUPPLEMENTARY TIRE LABELS CONTAINING THE CORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FICM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 11, 2007

FIRE IGNITED AT ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS TO ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ALTERNATOR, ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS, RIGHT GLOW PLUG WIRING HARNESS, ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS AND FIRE DAMAGED HOSES AND BELTS. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 16, 2008 · fire

2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA (POLICE VEHICLE) PURCHASED JANUARY 14, 2005 WITH 600 MILES SUDDENLY ACCELLERATED WHILE THE OFFICER WAS STOPPED WITH HIS FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. TOOK CRUISER OUT OF SERVICE AND HAD TOWED TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. A SECOND 2005 FORD CROWN VICTORIA PURCHASED ON JANUARY 14,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 30, 2005 · crash

VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STOPPED RUNNING WHILE MOVING AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. VEHICLE DANGEROUSLY SKID TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY, UNABLE TO DRIVE ONTO SHOULDER. HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE PURCHASED ON 06/14/2005 FOR $58,000, INCIDENT HAPPENED 07/08/2005, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 8, 2005 · crash

REAR TIRE INFLATION LABEL INDICATES IMPROPER PSI FOR GVWR FOR REAR AXLE. LABEL INDICATES 60 PSI. I BELIEVE CORRECT INFLATION ON RECALL 05V-272 IS 80 PSI. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL ACCORDING TO FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. VEHICLE IS A FOUR WINDS SIESTA…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 1, 2008

2005 Ford E-450 — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford E-450 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 41 complaints put the 2005 model at #5 of 35 E-450 years. It is one of the E-450 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 E-450 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (7 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), transmission (6 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford E-450 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 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 2005 Ford E-450 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.