2021 Ford E-450
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford E-450 has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.1x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is brakes problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: service advance trac keeps faulting and disabling the cruise control, abs braking, hill holder, and skid control functions, seems to occur at highway speeds with crosswind. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
51
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
5.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
BRAKES
12 complaints- • SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC KEEPS FAULTING AND DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS BRAKING, HILL HOLDER, AND SKID CONTROL FUNCTIONS, SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CROSSWIND
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle then experienced a loss of power ste
- • The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r
“SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC KEEPS FAULTING AND DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS BRAKING, HILL HOLDER, AND SKID CONTROL FUNCTIONS, SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CROSSWIND”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Ford E-450
Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 6K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
BRAKES
STEERING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (6)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.
Risk: Direct and continuous contact with certain areas of engine cover surface in the passenger compartment may increase the risk of injury or burns to the skin of the driver or front seat passenger.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and left hand inner lower corners of the engine cover. The dealer will also update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions should a vehicle be equipped with SEIC or BCP, free of charge. The recall began February 15, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S73.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Ford E-450
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Ford E-450 Service Intervals
IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2021 E-450, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 51 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC KEEPS FAULTING AND DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS BRAKING, HILL HOLDER, AND SKID CONTROL FUNCTIONS, SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CROSSWIND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: The contact owns 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on the freeway, the contact mentioned that any time another vehicle or object was near the vehicle, it lost steering capabilty. The contact would have to regain control of the steering wheel in order for the s
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC KEEPS FAULTING AND DISABLING THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS BRAKING, HILL HOLDER, AND SKID CONTROL FUNCTIONS, SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH CROSSWIND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V795000 (Engine) and 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Ford E-450 — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 10
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Ford E-450