VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford E-450 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2013 Ford E-450 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other E-450 years?

E-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-450 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Ford E-450 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission425%
Steering213%
Brakes213%
Suspension213%
Tires & Wheels213%
Body & Structure16%
Electrical System16%
Other16%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)16%

Does the 2013 Ford E-450 have recalls?

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

15V112000OtherFebruary 25, 2015 · 117 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

14V595000OtherSeptember 24, 2014 · 437 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD E-450. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE "SERVICE VEHICLE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MORRIS BUFFALO FORD, 702 E. HIGHWAY 55, BUFFALO MN) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH CYLINDER WELL INSIDE THE TRANMISSION WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 1, 2016

“THIS IS A CLASS "C" MOTORHOME MANUFACTURED BY JAYCO WITH OPTIONAL ALUMINUM WHEELS. (JAYCO GREYHAWK 31FK) ON THE BACKSIDE OF THE ALUMINUM RIMS IS STAMPED "DO NOT EXCEED 60 PSI". THE MOTORHOME COMES WITH LOAD RANGE "E" TIRES RATED AT A MAX. OF 80 PSI. THE JAYCO PLCARD ON THE DOOR JAM STATES THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 20, 2014

“DURING MY 1500 MILE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE SERVICE, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKING HYDRO BOOST UNIT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY OVER-TIGHTENING OF A BOLT ON THE UNIT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 13, 2014

“STEERING IS HEAVY, (HEAVY/STIFF/STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN), DOES NOT ROTATE AND/OR RETURN EASILY AND SMOOTHLY. THE OPERATOR/DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO MANUALLY ASSIST THE RETURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER, DOES NOT HAVE RETURN ABILITY TO CENTER HOME POSITION ON ITS OWN. SAFETY IS #1;…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 10, 2013

“DURING MY 1500 MILE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE SERVICE, THE FORD DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A LEAK OF HYDRAULIC FLUID THAT TURNED OUT TO BE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING / POWER BRAKING HYDRO BOOST UNIT. HE DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A FACTORY OVER-TIGHTENING OF A BOLT ON THE UNIT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 13, 2014

2013 Ford E-450 — common questions

Is the 2013 Ford E-450 reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2013 E-450 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (4 complaints), steering (2 complaints), brakes (2 complaints).

Does the 2013 Ford E-450 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Ford E-450. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.