2015 Ford F-450 Safety Report

The 2015 Ford F-450 has a limited safety data set from NHTSA, with only 6 total complaints, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. This makes a comprehensive safety assessment challenging. The most prominent concern from the complaint data revolves around the engine, accounting for 4 out of 6 complaints (67%). These complaints describe serious issues such as 'total engine failure,' 'surges/engine revs' with no resolution, and 'low fuel pressure / reduced engine power' warnings leading to 'limp home mode' at highway speeds, which poses a significant safety risk. Despite the low complaint volume, the vehicle has been subject to 2 recalls. One recall addresses a 'BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA' issue where a blank or distorted rearview camera image could increase the risk of a crash. The other recall, under 'EQUIPMENT,' pertains to VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists modifications, where an inadvertent wrong turn could increase crash risk. It's important to note that NHTSA has not published any overall, frontal, side, or rollover crash test ratings for the 2015 Ford F-450, which is common for heavy-duty trucks of this class. In summary, while direct crash test data is absent and overall complaint volume is low, the existing complaints highlight critical engine performance issues that could compromise safety, particularly when operating at highway speeds. The recalls indicate specific manufacturing or modification defects that Ford and VCI have identified as safety concerns.

Our recommendation: Given the critical engine issues reported in a significant portion of the limited complaints, potential buyers should thoroughly inspect the engine and review service records, especially concerning power loss or failure. Ensure all recall remedies for the rearview camera and any VCI equipment modifications have been completed.