1999 Ford E-450 Problems
- Complaints
- 73filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 34,323miles, 14 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 1999 Ford E-450 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of the 1999 Ford E-450 chassis most often report tires that separate or blow out while driving, often on the rear tires, and many complaints involve motorhome builds on this chassis. Owners describe sudden failures at highway speeds, typically 50 to 60 mph, and some say the tires failed even though the pressure had been checked. Where mileage is listed, most figures are under 30,000 miles.
- Tires
Tread separation and blowouts while driving
- 34 complaints (47%)
- median 17,434 mi at 4.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2000–2015
Owners describe tires that separated from the casing, lost tread, bulged or blew out, often at highway speed. Some report damage to the motorhome body, underside, plumbing or wheel well, and some describe a loss of control or a near collision. According to complaints, the tire maker attributed some failures to impact damage or underinflation, while owners said the tires were properly inflated or still had tread left. Where mileage is listed, figures range from about 2,100 to 71,750 miles, and most are under 30,000 miles.
What to check: Check each tire's brand, size and DOT date code, and look for bulges, cracking or separation. Ask whether any tire was replaced after an earlier failure.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Firestone r4s blow out on right front tire of 1999 Ford f-450sd with coachman motor home mounted on frame. Unit not over loaded and proper air pressure maintained.checking I have found other tires with hair line cracks around where thread meets sidewall. I am replacing tires and will hold firestone tires while waiting for tires to be recalled .”
NHTSA complaint #10032550, filed 2003-08, 17,434 miles“My rv suffered a tire blowout and complete tred separation on the road on vacation. Damage was sustained to the under side of my rv by the tred wipping the rv as it separated. The tire had only 16,000 miles on it, was properly inflated and was going only about 55 MPH on normal dry pavement. The tire is a firestone steeltex radial r4s lt225/75 r16 load range e DOT vd1l 1xd 259 other numbers on tire 25439 ur bd99805-6 da180p d06l 06029.”
NHTSA complaint #10025448, filed 2003-07, 16,500 miles - Tires
Tread separation despite checked tire pressure
- 14 complaints (19%)
- median 16,967 mi at 4.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
- filed 2000–2004
Some owners say they checked or maintained proper tire pressure before the tire separated, and some describe a sudden loss of air. According to complaints, the tire maker attributed some failures to low pressure, and owners who report proper pressure dispute that explanation. Mileage is listed only at 16,500 and 17,434 miles, and some complaints describe the failure occurring at about 55 mph or shortly after a pressure check.
What to check: Ask the seller for tire replacement records and any claim paperwork, and check the DOT date code and tread condition on every tire. Ask whether a failed tire was ever inspected, since some complaints describe the tires being sent for testing.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Firestone denies that the tires were faulty, they claim that I drove the vehicle with underinflated tires. Before I drive this vehicle on the highway I always check the tire pressures and fluids. I replaced all of the firestone tires before one blew out on the front and caused a crash. In 26 years of driving numerous vehicles with various tires I have never experienced anything like these tires that have failed prematurely. I kept the remaining 5 of the tires from this set and am having them tested by someone other than firestone. …”
NHTSA complaint #767623, filed 2002-09“Tread separated from right rear inside (dual) tire causing immediate deflation of tire and damage to wheel well, air bag suspension system, and right rear basement storage box. Gvw and gaw well below maximum rated weights. Tire checked 6 hours prior to failure. Tire pressure was 80 PSI cold and no damage was noted at that time. (DOT number: vd1l1xd259 tiresize: lt225r7516)”
NHTSA complaint #752084, filed 2001-09
Buying note. Buyers considering a 1999 E-450 may want to inspect the tires closely and ask about tire age, brand and any earlier failures, since tire separation dominates these complaints. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the tires and their pressure history addresses the main area in the complaints above.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 73 consumer complaints for the 1999 Ford E-450. 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 34,323 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Tires38 52%
- Brakes20 27%
- Wheels3 4.1%
- Engine2 2.7%
- Body and structure2 2.7%
- Vehicle speed control2 2.7%
- Air bags1 1.4%
- Engine cooling1 1.4%
- Fuel system1 1.4%
Also reported: Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Tires: “Loud noise from motorhome while driving. Rear right tire (firestone steeltex r4s) had bulged and the tread had seperated from the tire, leaving the steel showing. It ripped the mud flap off and damaged the rear wheelwell. After replacing it, and less than 10 miles later, we heard a loud noise again. The rear left tire had a large bulge and the tread had seperated from it. A third tire also has a bulge.”
NHTSA complaint #10121725, filed 2005-05, 10,000 milesWheels: “In 1999 I purchasd a new gulfstream '30 foot motor home, it was built on a Ford e450 chassis. The unit was shipped with e range tires. I had a seven tire rotation at 5000 miles, at which time the spare was put into use. In a check of tire pressures before my last trip I found a d range tire(the orignal spare?). I have driven 25000 miles on this tire at 20psi over max rated pressure. I feel very lucky that this tire did not blow at 65 MPH. Is this a standared practice to ship cutaways with lower range(cheaper) tires?”
NHTSA complaint #10096184, filed 2004-10Mileage when problems were reported
57% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,500 and 71,750 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Vehicle speed controlCovers: 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, 2006Vehicle speed controlCovers: 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 1999 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10013298Nov 14, 2005Body and structure. Cracks in the left or right spring tower flange. *tt spring tower weld repair and replacement procedure.
- 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
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Ford E-450?
Owners of the 1999 Ford E-450 chassis most often report tires that separate or blow out while driving, often on the rear tires, and many complaints involve motorhome builds on this chassis. The issues reported most often: Tread separation and blowouts while driving; Tread separation despite checked tire pressure.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Ford E-450 have?
NHTSA recorded 73 consumer complaints for the 1999 Ford E-450 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Ford E-450 is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 38 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes with 20.
Has the 1999 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 1999 Ford E-450 reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 34,323 miles and the middle half falls between 16,500 and 71,750 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.