2021 Ford E-450 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 11, 2026 · 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 2021 Ford E-450. That ranks 4th out of 32 E-450 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (11 complaints, 41%), typically at around 8,000 miles. There are 6 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 2021 Ford E-450 problems

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

Steering11 · ~8,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7 · ~6,413 mi
Engine6
Vehicle Speed Control6 · ~10,500 mi
Service Brakes4 · ~8,552 mi
Unknown or Other4
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Structure2
Air Bags1
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1 · ~18,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering1141%8,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic726%6,413——
Engine622%———
Vehicle Speed Control622%10,500——
Service Brakes415%8,552——
Unknown or Other415%———
Forward Collision Avoidance27%———
Structure27%———
Air Bags14%———
Electronic Stability Control (esc)14%18,000——
Equipment14%———
Fuel/propulsion System14%———
Suspension14%3,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2022, with 9 complaints
2021: 4202142022: 9202292023: 6202362024: 2202422025: 5202552026: 120261

n = 27 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 Ford E-450 recalls (6)

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

EngineNov 17, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V793000 · 7,046 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.

Risk: Direct contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SC7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 22, 2025.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsFeb 9, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V097000 · 16,543 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and the hydroboost jumper line, free of charge. Vehicles in this recall were previously recalled under 22V-089 and owners will need to have the new remedy completed even if their vehicle was remedied under the prior recall. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 21, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S07.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connectionsFeb 16, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V089000 · 44,219 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 E-350 and E-450 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels. An inadequate connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may result in a sudden loss of power steering fluid.

Risk: A sudden loss of power steering fluid can result in a loss of power steering and power brake assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the connection between the power steering lines and the Hydroboost unit, and replace the power steering lines, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 18, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S08.

EngineDec 17, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V795000 · 29,344 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.

Risk: Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with SEIC or BCP, free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S73.

Electronic stability control (esc); electrical system:wiring; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipMar 23, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V175000 · 2,871 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Risk: Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S13.

Power train:driveline:differential unit; power train:driveline:driveshaftFeb 21, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V099000 · 319 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-550 and 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, possibly resulting in a failure of the rear axle assembly and driveshaft separation.

Risk: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur and increase the risk of injury or crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it, or replace the rear axle as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 19, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S09.

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

  • Loss of Power Brake/Steering Assist Post Recall 22V089 Inspection. (RQ24003) — opened Feb 27, 2024, closed May 11, 2026.

Recent owner reports

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

Airbag module casing is cracked.

Air Bags · received Jan 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11709041

Engine camshaft and lifters failed. Truck is at a Ford dealer. Engine could fail in the middle of the road, causing an accident. This is our eighth vehicle with the same issue taken to a ford dealer in the past year. A little knocking noise started that quickly turned into a loud knocking/rattling…

Engine · received Sep 22, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11688895

See attached document for complaint.

Steering · received Feb 25, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11644752

This is one of 4 of my 2021 ford econoline fleet vehicles purchased in 2021 that have had engine failure. I am one of many contractors in my area and others around the country who have had this issue with the same F59 engine. Ford has failed to issue a recall.

Engine · received Feb 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11643146

Engine camshaft and lifters failed and were inspected by Ford dealer, which corrected the issue by replacing the engine. Engine can failed and truck get stuck in the middle of the road. In the past 6 months its our 4th Ford truck with the same issue and a lot of other Fedex contractors that…

Engine · received Feb 5, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11640804

Other Ford E-450 years

← 2019 E-450 · 2022 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 2021 Ford E-450?

Owners most often report steering, service brakes, hydraulic, engine problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 11 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Ford E-450?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 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 2021 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.