Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Ford F-450. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Ford F-450,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1990–2020 with 30 recall campaigns and 161 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2019 (4), 2017 (4), and 2012 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2020 (32), 2019 (32), and 2017 (26).
Top recall themes: Equipment and labeling, Engine and cooling, and Other.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Engine, Power train, Steering.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Ford F-450 in NHTSA complaint data are
Engine, Power train, Steering.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2020
1
32
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, diesel, Power train, Electrical system.
2019
4
32
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Suspension, Engine.
2018
3
12
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Wheels, Engine.
2017
4
26
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Structure:body, Electrical system.
2016
1
4
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Suspension, Service brakes.
2015
2
6
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Wheels.
2014
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine and engine cooling.
2013
1
8
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems, Wheels, Engine.
2012
4
25
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Steering, Suspension.
2011
2
12
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Steering, Engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel.
2010
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2009
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2008
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2007
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2006
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2005
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2004
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2003
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1990
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Equipment
, Engine
and Exterior lighting
Show recall evidence by year
2020
Seats: Mid/rear assembly:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Als
2019
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector caus
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: LGE Coachworks, Inc. (LGE Coachworks) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford E-450, F-550, and Freightliner M2-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager back-up camera displays. The displays may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to b
Seats: Mid/rear assembly:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Als
Exterior lighting:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Life Line Emergency Vehicles (Life Line) is recalling one 2020 Ford F450 vehicle and one 2017 Navistar Durastar vehicle, equipped with 7x9 combination LED Stop-Tail-Turn reverse lights. The lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed which may adversely affect the vision
2018
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector caus
Exterior lighting: Brake lights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: LGE Coachworks, Inc. (LGE Coachworks) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ford E-450, F-550, and Freightliner M2-based vehicles equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager back-up camera displays. The displays may unexpectedly revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to b
2017
Latches/locks/linkages:
Safety recall involving the latches/locks/linkages area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles originally produced with black or body colored exterior door handles that may have been subsequently equipped with a chrome exterior door handle cover accessory kit purchased from a Fo
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector caus
Exterior lighting: Brake lights:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Taylor Made Ambulances is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350, F-450, E-450, F-550, and GMC G3500-based ambulances equipped with Whelen brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 El
2016
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 El
2015
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 El
Back over prevention: Camera:
Safety recall involving the back over prevention area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and MKC vehicles. The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
2013
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket cove
2012
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford is recalling certain model year 2011 f-150 vehicles manufactured from september 9, 2011, through september 22, 2011, and model year 2012 f-250, f-350, f-450 and f-550 heavy duty vehicles manufactured from september 12, 2011, through september 22, 2011. These vehicles fail to comply with the
Engine and engine cooling: Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe:
Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Manning Equipment Inc. LLC (Manning) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford F-350, F-450 and F-550 gasoline engined dual rear wheel chassis vehicles manufactured October 2011 through June 2012. The tailpipe on the exhaust system does not extend out beyond the edge of the body, allowing heat to
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket cove
2011
Engine:
Safety recall involving the engine area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 F-350/450/550 Ambulance Package vehicles manufactured February 22, 2010, through October 19, 2012 and equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine. Due to an exhaust sensor problem, the vehicles may experience loss of power followed by an
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket cove
2010
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket cove
2009
Equipment:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: PJ's Truck Bodies & Equipment Co., (PJ's) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Ford F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty chassis modified by PJ's and equipped with certain Muncie Power Products PTO Assemblies. In the affected vehicles, oil may leak from the PTO pressure switch onto a thermal blanket cove
2008
Trailer hitches:
Safety recall involving the trailer hitches area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Knapheide is recalling 108 my 2006-2008 pro series truck beds equipped with an icc bumper which included a provision for a ball hitch. There may be an insufficient weld attaching the hitch channel to the supporting structure.
2007
Trailer hitches:
Safety recall involving the trailer hitches area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Knapheide is recalling 108 my 2006-2008 pro series truck beds equipped with an icc bumper which included a provision for a ball hitch. There may be an insufficient weld attaching the hitch channel to the supporting structure.
2006
Trailer hitches:
Safety recall involving the trailer hitches area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Knapheide is recalling 108 my 2006-2008 pro series truck beds equipped with an icc bumper which included a provision for a ball hitch. There may be an insufficient weld attaching the hitch channel to the supporting structure.
2005
Equipment adaptive/mobility:
Safety recall involving the equipment adaptive/mobility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vans built on ford e-450 and gmc c-550 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
2004
Equipment adaptive/mobility:
Safety recall involving the equipment adaptive/mobility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vans built on ford e-450 and gmc c-550 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
2003
Equipment adaptive/mobility:
Safety recall involving the equipment adaptive/mobility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain vans built on ford e-450 and gmc c-550 chassis and equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Other Ford Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Ford models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
