Ford E-450Model year report

1997 Ford E-450 Problems

Complaints: 18filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 54,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 2campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Ford E-450 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford E-450. The part named most often is body and structure, with 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by tires (7) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “The front crossmember cracking at main frame, Ford has issued a service bulletin #991411 to address this condition. Rewelding of crossmember has not corrected problem, was still cracking, redone with support added.”

NHTSA complaint #559835, filed 2001-02

Tires: “Had 2 blowouts.1at 22000mi and 1 at 26000.threw all the tread on the 1st one tire cool to touch and outside temp 58deg.looks like tread had never been glued on to carcus.the 2nd tire blew at 55mph outside temp56deg.looked as if part of the tread was glued.I know of 2 other class c motorhomes who have experienced the same problem.between the 3 mh we have had 7 blowouts. (DOT number: vd1l 1xd tiresize: 225/75/16)”

NHTSA complaint #752095, filed 2001-09

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1997 Ford E-450. The contact stated the heater control switch failed to function; therefore, only cold air emits from the heater system. The contact believed the failure was related to the failure described in a manufactures recall . The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10412171, filed 2011-07, 54,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 54,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

09V399000Oct 13, 2009
Vehicle speed control
Covers: Ford E-450 1992–2003, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and…
06V286000Aug 1, 2006
Vehicle speed control
Covers: Ford E-450 1996–2002, F-250 1994–2002, F-350 1994–2002 +10 more
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

Recall details for the 1997 Ford E-450 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

10018941Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Vibration/harshness above 45 mph (72 km/h) after tire balance.
10013320Jan 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Fluid leaking from the vent on the transmission mounted parking brake assembly.

Other model years of the Ford E-450

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2022	13	4,000	3	—	—	—	Not enough data
2021	27	9,508	6	—	—	Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)	Stable
2019	5	111,059	0	—	—	—	Not enough data
2018	5	3,514	4	—	—	—	Not enough data
2017	11	6,000	3	—	—	—	Not enough data
2016	17	7,206	5	—	—	—	Falling
2015	6	50,878	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
2014	5	13,257	3	—	—	—	Not enough data
2013	12	25,900	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
2011	7	33,750	8	—	—	—	Not enough data
2010	5	23,652	6	—	—	—	Not enough data
2008	6	13,926	8	—	—	—	Not enough data
2007	12	30,477	13	—	—	—	Not enough data
2006	20	35,000	13	—	—	—	Falling
2005	34	21,000	8	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2004	27	28,010	6	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2003	18	38,270	4	—	—	—	Rising
2002	13	38,750	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
2001	16	54,200	2	—	—	—	Falling
2000	42	34,350	3	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1999	73	34,323	2	—	—	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1998	5	22,008	2	—	—	—	Not enough data
1997	18	54,000	2	—	—	—	Stable

All Ford E-450 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Ford E-450 have?

NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1997 Ford E-450 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Ford E-450 is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by tires with 7.

Has the 1997 Ford E-450 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Ford E-450 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,000 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 54,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.