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1997 Ford E-450Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford E-450, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints180 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem10Structure

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 13, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Ford E-450 has problems

18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure100
Tires70
Electrical system10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1997 Ford E-450 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other E-450 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the E-450 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Ford E-450, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
  2. HVAC Switch FailuresPE09055 · closed Apr 21, 2010
    No recall
In owners' words

What E-450 owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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. *MJS
Complaint 559842 · Feb 26, 2001
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. *MJS
Complaint 559841 · Feb 26, 2001
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. *MJS
Complaint 559837 · Feb 26, 2001

Own a 1997 E-450?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.