2009 Ford E-450 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Creative Bus Sales, Inc is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Chevrolet and GMC C5500, and Ford E450, and Econoline 350 vehicles equipped with Braun wheelchair lifts. Over time, or with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the outer barrier of the lifts may become bent or misaligned.

Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchair's occupant could fall and sustain injury.

Fix: Braun is conducting this recall on behalf of Creative Bus Sales. Braun will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2012. Owners may contact Creative Bus at 1-888-633-8380 or Braun at 1-800-488-0359.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move without the restraint belt properly buckled.

Fix: 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].

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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].

Problem: 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.

Risk: This defect could result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Problem: Ford is recalling 65 my 2008-2009 e-350 and my 2009 e450 cutaway vehicles equipped with school bus prep packages for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles may not have been assembled with the fuel tank protection brackets that are required for school bus applications.

Risk: In certain types of very severe crashes, the fuel tank may be damaged and result in a leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect for proper fuel tank protection bracket installation and install brackets free of charge. The recall began on june 26, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332 or through the internet at www.ownerconnection.com.

Problem: Ford motor company is recalling 429 my 2009 ford econoline e-350 and e-450 cutaway school bus prep package vehicles manufactured from april 22, 2008 through march 2, 2009, to reposition the upper fuel tank protection bracket on the frame rail.

Risk: In certain types of very severe crashes, the fuel tank may be damaged and result in a leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will reposition the upper fuel tank protection bracket free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 14, 2009. Owners may contact ford toll-free at 1-866-436-7332 or contact a local ford or lincoln/mercury dealer for more information.