The 2018 Ford E-450 has 4 recalls, the most serious involving rear axle U-bolts on transit bus conversions that can loosen further or break, allowing the axle to separate from the vehicle and causing a sudden loss of control.
All four recalls affect vehicles that have been modified by third-party upfitters rather than the factory, so each applies to specific ambulance, transit bus, or shuttle bus conversions rather than the base chassis broadly. On ambulance builds from two separate converters, Whelen-brand brake lights can illuminate even when the driver has not pressed the brake pedal, sending a false signal to drivers behind and creating confusion that raises the risk of a rear-end collision. There is also a backup camera concern on E-450-based shuttle buses equipped with ASA Electronics Voyager monitors: the monitor can revert to factory default settings and display the camera image in a mirrored or reversed orientation, meaning a driver steering away from an obstacle they see on screen may actually be steering toward it.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup camera monitor may reset to factory settings, causing the camera image to display in reverse.
What the fix does
ASA Electronics will provide a harness relay capacitor module to correct the image reversal at no cost.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Whelen brake lights on certain 2017-2018 ambulances may turn on without the brake pedal being pressed, depending on vehicle wiring.
What the fix does
Whelen will replace the brake lights at no cost. Recall began June 5, 2019.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Whelen brake lights on certain ambulances and emergency vehicles may illuminate without the brake pedal being pressed, depending on how the wiring is configured.
What the fix does
Whelen will replace the brake lights at no cost. Contact Whelen at 1-860-718-2331 or Excellance at 1-256-772-9321.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The U-bolts that secure the leaf spring to the rear axle may not be tight enough, risking separation of these components.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the U-bolt tightness and replace or tighten them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
