Component= Traction control and cruise control. Safety risk=Driving a Ford e-450 Class C RV on interstate at 63 MPH going generally up hill with cruise control on, the "Service AdvanceTrac" warning light came on dashboard. I Immediately lost cruise control capability and steering became a little shakey. Pulled into rest area shut vehicle off. A few minutes and started again. Error went away and cruise control was functioning. Happened again a few hours later and I did the same thing and continued on. What happened=As I was driving, the " Service Advance Traction" light came on and the cruise control stopped, my class c rv immediately slowed at a high rate, a semi was behind me trying to get over to the middle lane. When I slowed down suddenly due to the cruise control going out, the semi had no choice but to change lanes quickly missing the back of my vehicle by a foot or so. If he was not alert as to what was happening, I most assuredly would not be typing this letter. It was that close!! Note= This also happened last year as we only take the RV out a few weeks out of the year. I brought it to Klammer Ford in New Port Richey F1l immediately after we got back from the last trip. They could not reproduce issue or find anything wrong Lamps= The only warning light that came on was a "Service Advance traction" light. No prior indication of any kind.
Ford E-450 adaptive cruise problems
16 of the 421 owner complaints about the Ford E-450 describe adaptive cruise control problems, most of them for the 2021 model year.
- owner complaints
- 16
- worst model year
- 2021
- typical mileage
- 34,784
By model year
- 20216
- 20111
- 20041
- 20034
- 20001
- 19992
- 19931
Often reported together
What owners say
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact stated while driving the RV 60 MPH with the cruise control feature turned off, the stabili-trac warning light illuminated and the RV decelerated. The contact was able to control the RV, and once the contact turned off and restarted the RV, the RV operated normally. The RV was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that the failure was not a known failure. The dealer also confirmed that the RV was not under recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 18,000.
Driving in about 30mph gusting cross winds which required constant small steering corrections. Sudden loss of braking ABS, loss of Cruise Control, loss of Pre-Collision Assist, loss of Hill Start Assist, and related functions. Warning message: Service AdvanceTrac. Three incidents First and second incidents: After sitting with ignition key off for about 15 minutes, vehicle operated as normal. Third incident: Would not normalize after setting with ignition key off. Faults continued.
ADAS keeps faulting and disabling the cruise control, pre-collision braking, hill hold assist, and skid control functions. The event occurs at highway speeds with strong crosswinds that rock the vehicle in a busy side-to-side motion as gusts hit the vehicle. The system seems to reset after turning the engine off & restarting. But the loss of some of the safety features is worrisome in traffic.
The Service Advance Trac light comes on sporadically. This also triggers the Cruise Control and Hill Start Assist to turn off. Any of these malfunctions could prove to be a safety issue particularly with regard to stability and control of the vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been to a dealer for these issues as we are traveling. The malfunction has occurred about 5-6 times while driving, without any particular triggers.There were no early warnings and the first time the service light came on was June 18th and we were on a two lane flat road doing about 50 mph. The Advance Trac (and cruise/Hill Start) remains non-functional until vehicle is turned off for at least 10 minutes. It then often resets and performs normally until the next failure - which does not seem to be predictable.
Service advance trac keeps faulting and disabling the cruise control, ABS braking, hill holder, and skid control functions, seems to occur at highway speeds with crosswind
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford e-450. While driving with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated at a high speed. The contact depressed the brake pedal multiple times, but the cruise control did not disengage. The contact pressed the off button on the steering wheel and the cruise contrl still failed to shut off. The contact stated that the cruise control disengaged independently after a few miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but a diagnosis was not provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
On two occasions, over the past 2 years, while driving on an interstate, I have had the "wrench" light come on, on the dash display. This is caused by me using the cruise control, but when I hit the brake to release the cruise control, then step on the gas pedal to bring it back up to speed, the light appears and I go into "limp mode". Once I pull over and stop the engine, apparently this re-sets the system, and the vehicle drives okay. I have been told by a ford tech that this is the electronic throttle control and that it may be normal, but I feel it is too sensitive. I am wondering if it should have a recall on it.
Driver reported intermittent cruise control issue. When researching possible solutions to the issue became aware of cruise control deactivation switch issue. It is under ford recall 05s28. It is by all accounts, a fire hazard. On 6/23/2015 took the vehicle in to a ford dealer in rochester, n.y.for service under the recall. The service advisor called saying ford had declined service, and the repair work would be chargeable. Fords stance was that the vehicle "should have been brought in earlier". We received no recall notices on this vehicle, case in point neither the girl that sets the service appointments, or the service advisor at the dealer could 'get the VIN to go in" this recall is is fords responsibility to repair the vehicle, covering fully what needs to be done.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford e450. While driving at approximate speeds of 45 MPH using the cruise control in rainy weather, the vehicle began jerking. The contact stated that there was also a burning smell coming from the vehicle. He was able to move the vehicle off of the road and when he attempted to unlock the doors, the passengers side door would not unlock. In addition, the brake retarder was inoperable. He was able to restart the vehicle. Initially, the vehicle would not change gears but did so within a few minutes. The contact believed that the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 was directly related to the failure he experienced. The vehicle had not been repaired nor had the manufacturer been contacted. The failure and current mileages were 238,000.
Related recalls
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The backup alarm connector may become loose and detach, preventing the alarm from sounding when the vehicle is backing up.
- Risk
- A backup alarm that fails to alert pedestrians and other vehicles of a reversing vehicle, increases the risk of crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the exterior sound connector on the frame wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S12. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 4, 2026.
Recall number 26V118000 · Recall details
Electronic stability control (ESC)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
- Risk
- Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S13.
Recall number 20V175000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford E-450 adaptive cruise
Which Ford E-450 years have adaptive cruise control problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2021 (6 complaints), 2003 (4 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
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