FordE-4502011Overview/ford/e-450/2011/base/
450 platform

2011 Ford E-450

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 E.

Body VAN

The 2011 Ford E-450 is a van built on the 450 platform, powered by an engine requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil, representing the more mature phase of this commercial platform's extensive production run spanning 1992 to 2027. With 23 total owner complaints recorded for this model year, the 2011 sits well below the model's peak complaint volume of 80 in 1999, though not as low as the remarkably low 1 complaint logged in 1996, placing it in a middle range of the E-450's reliability history. The top complaint area for this model year centers on the Power Train system, and with 13 recalls issued for the 2011 E-450, prospective owners should verify completion of all recall work, though the overall complaint volume suggests these issues were not universal across the model year.

Model year20172016201520142011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 - PRIMARY BATTERY · 650 - PRIMARY BATTERY CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 - PRIMARY BATTERY · 650 - PRIMARY BATTERY CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length211.8 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight4189 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil. Torque the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.9
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket258.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle98.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket98.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY BATTERY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY BATTERY cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 - PRIMARY BATTERY
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 - PRIMARY BATTERY cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-60
RPM55-60 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55-60
RPM55-60 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 na ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket27 ft-lbs / 45 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle195 ft-lbs / 166 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.511 in / 1.59 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10532 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
166 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen one turn 37 ft. lbs., step 3: 9066 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 181.5 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.31.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 10,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 50,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 E-450 sits at the tail end of a pronounced recall surge that ran from 2005 through 2011, with its 10 recalls matching the 2009 peak and exceeding the 7 seen in 2010 before dropping sharply to 4 in 2012. Complaints remain low at 7 — consistent with the 2–7 range seen since 2008 — while TSBs reach 29, the highest level since 2007 and a notable increase over 2010's 27. The complaint profile centers on Power Train (4), Service Brakes (3), Engine (2), and Fuel/Propulsion System (2), with one crash complaint recorded and no fire complaints. The data doesn't specify root causes for these patterns, but the recall volume suggests active manufacturer remediation during this period. The sharp post-2011 decline in both recalls and TSBs indicates 2011 was the final model year of a concentrated correction cycle. For a buyer, this means the 2011 likely benefited from more factory fixes than earlier years, but verifying recall completion on any specific unit is essential.

13
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
26
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
23
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train4
Service Brakes3
Engine2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering2
Suspension1
Electrical System1
Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 26 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 481302019-08-09VisibilitySome 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or…
SSM 479762019-05-10Power TrainOn vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter…
SSM 472012018-03-30EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific E. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2011 E take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2011 E have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.