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2016 Ford E-450

Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.

Recalls, complaint breakdown & inspection checklist — a shareable PDF

17 owner complaints · 4 recalls · data verified July 10, 2026 · source: NHTSA

Cautionwillitcar.com

Why caution?

4 recall campaigns (3 safety-critical) — confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the seller's VIN.

Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.

Complaint reports have faded — early issues appear resolved or aged out.

The math, shown

Full methodology →
Complaint volume (40%)100
Severity (30%)85
Recall load (20%)69
Trend (10%)92

Complaints filed per year

Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.

20162025

The road ahead

What breaks on a 2016 Ford E-450, plotted where owners report it happening.

030k mi60k mi90k mi120k mi

Also reported (mileage varies): Body & structure (6)

Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint — a rough guide, not a schedule.

Body & structure

35%

6 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD E-450 TRAILERED TO A 2016 COACHMEN LEPRECHAUN TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORD CHASSIS WAS UNABLE TO HANDLE THE WEIGHT…

Brakes

12%

2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years

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…

Tires

12%

2 complaints

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…

Speed control

6%

1 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years

The contact rented a 2016 U-Haul E450. The contact stated that while in the parking lot and placing the vehicle in drive, the contact tapped on the accelerator pedal, …

Recalls (4)

Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.

Equipment · 19V401000

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.

Risk: The driver may inadvertently turn the wrong direction to avoid an object behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Other · 17V269000

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.

Risk: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System · 16V046000

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.

Risk: If the vehicle unexpectedly needs an extended braking distance, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System · 15V710000

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Before you hand over money

Verify the recall work was done

NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.

Free NHTSA VIN check

Get a pre-purchase inspection

A $150–$250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Ford E-450 beats every score on the internet, including ours.

What to ask for

Not set on the 2016? See how every E-450 model year scores →

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What owners say

Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score — if they disagree, that’s worth knowing.

The fine print: this verdict is computed from public NHTSA complaint and recall records for the 2016 Ford E-450 as a model, not for any individual car. A well-maintained example of an “Avoid” can outlast a neglected “Buy”. Informational only — always get a professional pre-purchase inspection.