1FC4E4KS0HDC737302017 FORD E-450
2017 FORD E-450 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2017 FORD E-450
2017 FORD E-450 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 2 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 2 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
11 owner complaints filed — top areas: Visibility (27%), Body/Structure (18%), Engine/Powertrain (18%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- E-450
- Year
- 2017
- Body Style
- Incomplete - Stripped Chassis
- Vehicle Type
- INCOMPLETE VEHICLE
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 10-cyl 6.8L 305 hp
- Manufacturer
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Assembly
- AVON LAKE, OHIO, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 4: 14,001 - 16,000 lb (6,350 - 7,258 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: AVON LAKE, OHIO
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Brake system recall
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
2 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 2 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 2 recalls is ~71%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
FORD completes recalls at a good rate (89%), averaging about 18 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~18 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
EQUIPMENT
SummarySVO Group Inc. (SVO Group) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford E-350 and E-450-based shuttle buses equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors used to display the back-up camera image. The affected monitors may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
SummaryTaylor 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.Read full details...
~27% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Manufacturer Recall Response Time
Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance
21 months elapsed between first complaint and recall issuance — a significant delay in consumer protection.
Complaint Intelligence
11 complaints analyzed across 7 system categories
Visibility/Wiper leads owner complaints (18%), most reported when the vehicle was 2 yrs old or newer. Also common: Steering (18%), Engine (18%).
Based on 11 complaints with a reported incident date. Too few owners cited mileage (1) to report a reliable failure-mileage range.
36% of complaints filed in Jun & Aug — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME11 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
The contact owns a 2018 Jayco Greyhawk built on a 2017 Ford E-450 chassis. The contact stated that the hydraulic tank was leaking fluid onto the ground. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a hole in the hydraulic tank and the hydraulic leveling system had detached. The dealer patched the hole in the hydraulic tank; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
While in standard shuttle route emergency egress window imploded inward. This is the 3rd occurrence. Vehicle is a 2017 Ford E-450 Chassis with an Elkhart Coach ECII 25 PASSENGERS PLUS DRIVER shuttle body.
TRANSMISSIONS 6R140 HAVE PREMATURE FAILURE THIS IS OUR 6TH TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN OUR 5 VANS, WHEN TRANSMISSION GOES OUT, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS WHICH RESULTS IN VEHICLE STALLING IN ROAD WAY THE VEHICLE WHILE JERK REALLY HARD AND GIVE DRIVE WHIPLASH AND WHEN VEHICLE IS GOING UP HILL WHEN THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS THE VAN WILL SLAM TO A STOP, STALL THEN START ROLLING BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS WITH NO BRAKES OR POWERSTEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS DRIVER HAS NO BREAKS OR POWERSTEERING AND MOST TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED THE DRIVER CANT QUICKLY RESTART THE VAN TO REGAIN POWERSTEERING OR BRAKES BECAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS STUCK AND WONT ALLOW STARTER TO TURN OVER ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN BY FORD JANUARY 2022 AND IT IS NOW AUGUST 2022 AND THIS TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO FAILED AND PRESENTED THE SAME SAFETY SITUATION WITH STALLING AND JERKING. FORD IS SET TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND TOLD BY DEALER THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THIS CONSTANT FAILURE IN ALL VANS AND TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH THE 6R140 (FORD F-250, F-350 AND E-350, E-450).
CAMPAIGN:16V465000 RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2015-2017 FORESTER MOTORHOMES WATER MAY LEAK INTO THE ELECTRICAL MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS. MY BRAKE LIGHT DIMLY LIGHTS 2 OF THE LEDS IN THE FIXTURE. DO NOT KNOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED JUST NOTICED WHEN TAKING OUT OF STORAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY / OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD E-450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE DOOR HAD A TRIMARK DOOR LOCK. THE CONTACT BECAME LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BUNGEE CORD WAS USED TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DOOR LOCK WAS REPLACED. THE DOOR WAS DAMAGED FROM FAILING TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT ADEQUATELY CLEAR THE DRIVERS VIEW. IT'S TRAVEL STOPS NEAR THE MIDPOINT OF THE DRIVERS VIEW LEAVING MUCH OF THE ROAD INCLUDING PART OF DRIVING LANE AND THE ONCOMING LANES. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN INVOLVED AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. MANUFACTURER THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN MAKING IT THAT WAY FOR 5 YEARS AND AREN'T GOING TO CHANGE IT. *TR*JB
THOR 2017 VEGAS MOTORCOACH--WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM DOES NOT CLEAR DRIVERS SIDE OF WINDSHIELD ENOUGH TO SEE ROAD IN RAIN OR SNOW CONDITIONS.
SUDDEN BRAKE SYSTEM AND POWER STEERING LOSS. VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED FROM THE STORAGE LOT HEADING TOWARDS MAIN ROADWAY (LOW SPEED) WHEN IT MADE A STRANGE GRINDING NOISE; BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT AND LOST POWER STEERING. VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID, COULD SEE FLUID LEAKING BENEATH VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE MAIN ROADWAY AND DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFETY DRIVEN; NEED TO CALL FOR A TOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON; VEHICLE CANNOT BE TOWED TO DEALER UNTIL MONDAY FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. VEHICLE MAINTAINED AT THE FORD DEALER AND AT GENERAL RV; VEHICLE IS A THOR FOUR WINDS MOTORHOME ON A 2017 FORD E-450 CHASSIS. VEHICLE HAD RECENT SERVICE AT FORD DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE/MAINTENANCE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD E-450. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD E-450. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND HEAT ENTERED INTO THE CABIN FROM THE FLOORBOARD. GULF COAST FORD IN ANGLETON, TEXAS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REBUILT THE ENGINE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A CYLINDER MISFIRE IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,794.
THIS IS A 24' MOTORHOME. 2017 FORD E-450/ WHILE DRIVING IN REGULAR TRAFFIC, IF VEHICLE IS TRAVELING 50 MPH OR MORE, THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND THE WHEELS HAVE A DELAYED REACTION TO THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE DRIFTS VERY STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PASSING AT A GREATER SPEED THAN I AM TRAVELING. SOMETIMES, THROWING MY VEHICLE ALMOST OFF THE ROAD, BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE I AM IN DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT, THE COUNTER STEERING DOESN'T RESPOND IMMEDIATELY, HENCE IT IS VERY DELAYED. SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE OFF THE GROUND, FLOATING ON AIR OR NOT GRABBING THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY ON HIGHWAYS, BUT ALSO ON CITY STREETS. I BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE MOTORHOME DEALER, THEY CLAIM THIS IS NORMAL??? VEHICLE ONLY HAD 1094 MILES ON IT WHEN I TOOK POSSESSION AND PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY WHEN I TRAVELED OVER 50MPH. I REQUESTED A REFUND AFTER THE 4TH DAY OF OWNERSHIP BUT THE DEALER REFUSED MY REQUEST. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS. GOT A RECALL A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT NEEDING TIGHTENING. PLEASE ADVISE WHEN THE DEALER WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WAS IT BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT IN APRIL 2017. WAS IT LEGAL FOR THEM TO SELL ME THIS MOTORHOME KNOWING THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH IT.
Component Failure Cascade Risk
Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures
▸ Engine derate or no-start condition — DEF system failure puts vehicle into limp mode limiting speed to 5mph
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 11 total NHTSA complaints filed over 5 years, with the worst year being 2019 (5 complaints).
The amber reliability line averaged 99/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 97/100 in 2019.
The recall (red dashed line) followed the first complaints by 2 years — a typical response window; neither unusually fast nor a pattern of denial.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $30,114 (~$502/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2017 FORD E-450 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
FORD has been fined $17M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2015: Failure to timely file Early Warning Reports on defect data.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 1FC4E4KS0HDC73730 |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Make | FORD |
| Model | E-450 |
| Vehicle Type | INCOMPLETE VEHICLE |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Incomplete - Stripped Chassis |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 10 |
| Displacement (L) | 6.8 |
| Horsepower | 305 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Assembly City | AVON LAKE |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 1FC |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 0 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | H |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | D |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | C73730 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 2 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 11 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 11/3/2026, 3:09:58 AM.