2004 Ford E-450 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 16, 2023 · 27 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other E-450 years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford E-450. That ranks 4th out of 32 E-450 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (10 complaints, 37%), typically at around 28,462 miles. Complaints mention 3 fires. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2004 Ford E-450 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine and Engine Cooling10 · ~28,462 mi
Electrical System5 · ~119,000 mi
Power Train5 · ~45,105 mi
Tires4 · ~28,385 mi
Equipment3
Service Brakes3 · ~28,000 mi
Fuel System, Diesel2 · ~67,789 mi
Fuel System, Other2 · ~49,300 mi
Structure2
Visibility2 · ~4,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine and Engine Cooling1037%28,462——
Electrical System519%119,000——
Power Train519%45,105——
Tires415%28,385——
Equipment311%———
Service Brakes311%28,000——
Fuel System, Diesel27%67,789——
Fuel System, Other27%49,300——
Structure27%———
Visibility27%4,000——
Exterior Lighting14%11,300——
Fuel System, Gasoline14%28,010——
Latches/locks/linkages14%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14%———
Unknown or Other14%28,010——
Vehicle Speed Control14%11,300——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2006, with 4 complaints
2004: 2200422006: 4200642007: 2200722008: 4200842009: 3200932010: 1201012011: 1201112012: 1201212013: 2201322014: 2201422015: 1201512018: 2201822022: 1202212023: 120231

n = 27 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Ford E-450 recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityOct 8, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V524000 · 8 vehicles

Problem: Matthews is recalling 8 my 1998 bluebird, my 2004 ford e450, my 2005-2006 thomas built buses, my 2006 international bus, my 2007 chevrolet 5500, freightliner and dodge sprinter trucks, transit buses, and specialty vehicles equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 404, "platform lift installation 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.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.

Fix: Matthews 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 matthews specialty at 336-297-9600.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityOct 8, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V526000 · 8 vehicles

Problem: Matthews is recalling 8 my 1998 bluebird, my 2004 ford e450, my 2005-2006 thomas built bus, my 2006 international bus, my 2007 chevrolet 5500, freightliner and dodge sprinter trucks, transit buses, and specialty vehicles 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 system accessible 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.

Risk: A lift occupant can be injured should the lift begin to stow unintentionally.

Fix: Matthews 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 mattews specialty at 336-297-9600.

Electrical system:wiringJun 10, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V270000 · 180,104 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:wiringSep 13, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V444000 · 214,849 vehicles

Problem: On certain vans, a diode in the anti-lock braking system (abs) module may experience an electrical short.

Risk: The electrical short may cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, or the module may overheat resulting in a burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition may occur while the vehicle is being driven or unattended.

Fix: Dealers will install a new fuse in the abs circuit and install a heat shield over the abs module. The recall began on october 15, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.

Engine and engine coolingSep 13, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V445000 · 253,076 vehicles

Problem: On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.

Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began september 27, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also ford is extending the limited warranty (for a one time replacement) of the abs module for a total of 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, whichever occurs first. If your vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until september 30, 2005.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • HVAC Switch Failures (PE09055) — opened Dec 7, 2009, closed Apr 21, 2010.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

THE component system addressed, which is available for inspection, is the propane line routed through a jagged torched hole in the vehicle main frame; location is left-rear frame extension. Pictures are available. IF piping is allowed to remain, the propane line will sustain a propane leak with…

Equipment · received Jun 16, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11527403

My box truck caught on fire, fire started at the plug in receptacle that keeps the glow plug warm and spread from there. Luckily my across the street neighbor helped put out the fire temporarily with 2 of his fire extinguisher until the fire truck arrived, otherwise it would have been a major…

Electrical System · received Feb 1, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11449743

I was driving my rv down the freeway when the inside dual blew out on the passenger side of the vehicle. Before the tire blew out i noticed a vibration on the passenger side of the rv. A few moments later the tire blew out and the tread came off completely leaving only the side walls. I do not…

Tires · received Nov 27, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11154216

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V782000 (EQUIPMENT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-[redacted] APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL FOR A CALL BACK, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT…

Equipment · received Feb 23, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11074505

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford e-450. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer multiple times. The technician diagnosed that the…

Electrical System · received Mar 16, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10694474

Other Ford E-450 years

← 2003 E-450 · 2005 E-450 →

See all Ford E-450 problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford E-450?

Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 10 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford E-450?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Ford E-450 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other E-450 model years, the 2004 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.