Ford F53 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Ford F53 years to avoid are 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2021, each with complaint index scores of 93, 80, 100, and 87. The 2017 model year is the best, with a complaint index of just 20 out of 136 total complaints across all years.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 136
- Recall campaigns
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 3
- Top problem area
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
F53 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford F53 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 2011 | Good | 47 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2013 | Good | 40 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 93 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 60 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | — | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 73 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2017 | Best | 20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 80 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2019 | Good | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 87 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 53 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 67 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | — | — |
F53 years to avoid: what went wrong
2020 Ford F53 Index 100 · 32 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2020 F53 has the worst complaint index of any year, 100, and the most complaints, 32. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues dominate at 59% of complaints, median mileage 10,000; Transmission & Powertrain problems follow at 38%, with a much lower median mileage of 1,125. Owners reported vehicle sway at highway speed and stabilizer bar and rear axle bearing problems. Two recalls apply to this year, covering rear stabilizer bar brackets and inadequate rear axle lubricant.
2014 Ford F53 Index 93 · 17 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2014 F53 shows a complaint index of 93, the second worst of all years. Structure & Body issues make up 41% of its complaints, with a median mileage of 4,000 miles, including reports of windshield wipers seizing and awnings, slides, and power seats failing to activate. Suspension complaints, 35% of the total, showed a median mileage of just 2,000 miles, with owners describing loose shock absorber mounting bolts. NHTSA recorded 2 crashes and 1 fire for this year, plus a recall for incorrectly machined brake components.
2021 Ford F53 Index 87 · 13 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2021 F53 has a complaint index of 87, the third worst. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues make up 38% of complaints; Brakes and Electrical System each account for 23%, with median mileages of 2,981 and 2,000 respectively. Owners described AdvanceTrac and traction control warnings disabling cruise control, and transmission lunging during acceleration. Two recalls apply, for rear stabilizer bar brackets and inadequate rear axle lubricant.
2018 Ford F53 Index 80 · 11 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2018 F53 carries a complaint index of 80. Structure & Body problems account for 45% of complaints, with a median mileage of 9,000 miles; owners described roof leaks and bunk doors falling off due to hinge or weld failures. Electrical System issues, 18% of complaints, had a median mileage of 39,000 miles, including a reported inverter fire. NHTSA logged 1 fire and 1 injury for this model year, along with a recall covering front wheel hub studs that were not properly heat treated.
Most common Ford F53 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (32%)
- Electrical System25 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (18%)
- Structure & Body23 (17%)
- Brakes21 (15%)
- Other16 (12%)
- Engine12 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (8%)
- Steering7 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford F53 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2021 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 93, 80, 100, and 87 respectively.
- What is the best Ford F53 year?
- 2017 is rated the best year, with a complaint index of just 20, the lowest score among model years with data available.
- Does the Ford F53 have suspension problems?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area across all F53 years, accounting for 44 of 136 total complaints, or 32%, with 2020 alone reporting 19 suspension complaints.
- How many recalls does the Ford F53 have?
- NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns across the Ford F53 model years covered, 2010 through 2025, with none classified as do-not-drive recalls.
- Are 2015 and 2016 Ford F53 models risky?
- 2015 and 2016 are marked Caution, not Avoid, with complaint indexes of 60 and 73, higher than the best year but lower than the four Avoid years.