2016 Ford E-450: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
7,206 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 17 complaints (35.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 11.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Structure:Body: 6; Unknown Or Other: 3; Tires: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 5; 2019: 1; 2021: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10855283 · 2016-04-13 (April 13, 2016)
HESITATION/NO POWER AFTER MAKING A TURN, PRIMARILY A LEFT-HAND BUT HAS HAPPENED ALSO AFTER A RIGHT-HAND TURN. THE ENGINE HAS NEVER STALLED OR DISPLAYED FAULT CODES OR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASH. FORD HAS CHECKED FOR THIS CONDITION.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10855283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10891901 · 2016-07-31 (July 31, 2016)
THOR MOTOR COACH SOLD ME A 2016 FOUR WINDS CLASS C MODEL 23U MOTOR HOME WITH A CLASS IV HITCH THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR THE STATED CAPACITY OF 8,000 POUNDS. IF THE HITCH IS USED IN THE STATED 8,000 POUND CAPACITY, THE HITCH WILL FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAKES THE E450 CHASSIS THAT THE MOTOR HOME BODY IS MOUNTED ON. FORD STATES THAT THE TONGUE WEIGHT FOR A PROPERLY LOADED 8,000 POUND TRAILER SHOULD BE IN THE RANGE OF 800 TO 1,200 POUNDS (10% TO 15%). THOR MOTOR COACH HAS DE-RATED THE HITCH CAPACITY TO 500 POUNDS WHICH RESULTS IN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10891901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10923857 · 2016-11-02 (November 2, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD E-450. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE BRAKE FLUID SERVICE PERFORMED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RESERVOIR CAP INDICATED DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID FOR THAT VEHICLE WAS TYPE DOT 4 BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT SERVICED DUE TO THE CONFUSION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT DUE TO THE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF BRAKE FLUID LABELING, IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10923857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945820 · 2017-01-17 (January 17, 2017)
WAS A PASSENGER IN FOREST RIVER MOTORHOME COMING BACK FROM SAVANNAH GEORGIA , STOPPED IN S.C. FOR FUELING . HEADING BACK HOME ( LEXINGTON NC) REMOVED MY SHOES HAD ON MY DIABETIC SOCKS ON JULY 28TH, HAD BOTH AC,S ON AND IT WAS 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE. GOT HOME WIFE NOTICED SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY LEFT FOOT. WENT TO THE VA HOSPITAL AND HAD SUFFERED SECOND DEGREE BURNS ON MY HEEL AND SIDE OF MY FOOT. I AM A DIABETIC AND HAVE NEUROPATHY IN MY FEET AND DID NOT NOTICE FLOOR BOARD WAS EXTREMELY HOT, I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. MY BURN B…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10978755 · 2017-04-17 (April 17, 2017)
BLOWOUT ON LT225/75R16 MICHELIN TIRE ON 2017 THOR MOTORHOME. VIN NUMBER [XXX] . ONLY 2075 MILES ON VEHICLE AND TIRE. DOT 83JH 00YX 115/112.. READ IN MOTORHOME MAGAZINE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. 3 ON ONE MOTORHOME. RIDING ON HIGHWAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10978755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10983592 · 2017-05-04 (May 4, 2017)
BOUGHT 2016 THOR FOUR WINDS MODEL VIN [XXX] 8-3-2015 NEW. TOOK IT OUT ON THE FIRST ROAD TRIP OCT 2015 AND HAD A FLAT TIRE DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF MUD FLAPS BY CAMPLAND RV. HAD TO ARGUE WITH CAMPLAND AND THOR TO GET THE TIRE COVERED. THIS ENDED UP COSTING ME TIME, MONEY AND LOSE OF USE. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE NEW TIRE AND PAY TO HAVE IT MOUNTED. I COMPLAINED THAT THE OTHER TIRES WERE DAMAGED FROM THE RUBBING AND LOSING AIR. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE OTHER TIRE DAMAGED FROM THE RUBBING OF THE DAMAGED TIRE. FILED A CLAIM FOR TIRE 11-20-2015…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10983592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11039800 · 2017-10-25 (October 25, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF AND A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT AN APPOINTMENT COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED FOR TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V598000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11039800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043688 · 2017-11-06 (November 6, 2017)
PROBLEM IS WITH WINNEBAGO ASPECT MOTORHOME ATTACHED TO THE E 450. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE(SMOKED) LAST WEEK. THIS PROBLEM WAS COVERED BY NHTSA 16V-598. I TOOK IT TO THE WINNEBAGO FACTORY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 TO GET IT RETORQUED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE WHILE WE WERE SLEEPING. IT WAS HOOKED UP TO CAMPGROUND ELECTRIC POWER WHEN IT OCCURRED AND WAS PROTECTED BY A SURGE SUPPRESSOR.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043688 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V710000 · Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
Reported: 2015-10-27 (October 27, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to September 1, 2015, and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. In the affected vehicles, the trailer brake controller may not actuate the trailer brakes.
Consequence: If the trailer brakes are not activated when the towing vehicle is slowing down, the distance needed to stop the vehicle may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on November 10, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S32.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V046000 · Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control
Reported: 2016-01-28 (January 28, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 E-350 and E-450 vehicles manufactured November 3, 2014, to December 10, 2015 and equipped with a 6.8L engine and an optional trailer brake controller. The trailer braking system may fail, increasing the distance needed to stop the vehicle.
Consequence: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S01. Note: This recall supersedes 15V-710. Any vehicle previously repaired under 15V-710 will need to be repaired again.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V269000 · Fuel System, Other
Reported: 2017-04-21 (April 21, 2017)
National Fleet Services of Ohio (National Fleet) is recalling certain 2016 Ford E-450 vehicles equipped with Roush, Generation 4, Propane Conversion Kits. The fuel control valve solenoid may short circuit, shutting off the flow of propane to the engine, causing the engine to shut off.
Consequence: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: National Fleet will notify owners, and Roush dealers will replace the defective fuel control valve solenoid, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2017. Owners may contact National Fleet customer service at 1-440-903-5177, or Roush customer service at 1-800-597-6874. National Fleet's number for this recall is VR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V401000 · Equipment
Reported: 2019-05-29 (May 29, 2019)
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.
Consequence: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗