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EnginePart report

2021 Ford E-450 Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
22%of 27 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Ford E-450, 22% of the 27 complaints for this model year. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11643146, filed 2025-02

“We received the two recall notice letters from Ford Motor Company, 20V795 & 22V089, for our 2021 Jayco Redhawk class C RV. Upon receiving the first recall notice, 20V795, an appointment was made with our local Ford Dealer, Spradley Ford Lincoln Mercury, in Pueblo, CO, on Oct 1, 2021 to have it inspected and recall taken care of. Upon arrival that morning, was told they did not have the parts, would have to order them & their technician just called in sick . …”

NHTSA complaint #11508139, filed 2023-02

“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 noise. No lights came on the truck.”

NHTSA complaint #11688895, filed 2025-09

“Engine Camshaft and lifters failed, unit was inspected by ford dealer and engine had to be replaced. Engine can stop working and truck could break down in the middle of the road. No warning lamps, just a loud knocking sound when brakes were applied and truck was downshifting to stop. A lot of other people that purchased these ford light duty trucks with the 7.3L engine are having the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11640826, filed 2025-02

“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 purchased a Ford truck with the 7.3L engine are reporting the same issue. No warning light was on in this vehicle, just started with a knocking sound that got worse until it got to the dealer and engine had to be replaced”

NHTSA complaint #11640804, filed 2025-02

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2022215%
2021622%
2017218%
201616%
2015117%
2011114%
2008117%
200718%
2006420%
200539%
2002215%
200012%
199923%

Other parts of the 2021 Ford E-450

Steering
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford E-450

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology