Ford F53 Best and Worst Years (2008–2025)
Ford F53 years to avoid are 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021, based on complaint indexes of 94, 75, 81, 100, and 88 out of 137 total complaints and 15 recall campaigns. 2013, 2017, and 2019 rate Good, with lower complaint indexes of 38, 31, and 44.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 17
- 2008–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 137
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 56 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2013 | Good | 38 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 94 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 69 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Visibility & Wipers | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2017 | Good | 31 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 81 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Structure & Body | — | — |
| 2019 | Good | 44 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 100 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 88 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 25 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 50 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 63 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 19 | 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 highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, from 32 complaints. Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems made up 59% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 10,000, while Transmission & Powertrain issues (38% share) failed at a median of just 1,125 miles. Two recalls apply: one for rear stabilizer bar attachment brackets that could break and separate, and one for inadequate rear axle lubricant that could damage rear wheel bearings. Owners also reported check engine lights and vehicle sway at highway speeds.
2014 Ford F53 Index 94 · 17 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2014 F53 has a complaint index of 94, driven mostly by Structure & Body complaints (41% share, median mileage 4,000) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues (35% share, median mileage 2,000). Owners reported windshield wipers seizing in the up position, loose shock absorber mounting bolts, and unexpected steering wander at highway speeds. Electrical failures affecting slides, awnings, stairs, and power seats also appeared, with a median failure mileage of 6,400. NHTSA recorded 2 crashes and 2 injuries for this year, along with one recall covering incorrectly machined brake calipers.
2021 Ford F53 Index 88 · 13 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2021 F53 has a complaint index of 88. Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints made up 38% of the total, followed by Brakes and Electrical System issues each at 23%, with brake failures occurring at a median mileage of 2,981. Owners repeatedly reported the AdvanceTrac and traction control system disabling itself and shutting off cruise control, sometimes triggered by wind gusts, requiring a full restart to reset. The same two recalls as 2020 apply, covering rear stabilizer bar brackets and rear axle lubrication.
2018 Ford F53 Index 81 · 11 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2018 F53 has a complaint index of 81. Structure & Body issues accounted for 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 9,000, including roof leaks and an inverter fire, plus bunk doors detaching from their hinge brackets. One recall covered front wheel hub studs that were not properly heat treated on 22.5 inch wheels. Electrical System complaints (18% share) had a median mileage of 39,000, while Suspension complaints occurred at a much lower median mileage of 3,100. NHTSA recorded 1 fire and 1 injury for this year.
2016 Ford F53 Index 75 · 15 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2016 F53 carries a complaint index of 75. Transmission & Powertrain problems made up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 1,900. Owners described the tow/haul mode failing to engage automatic downshifting on grades, and hard, unexpected downshifts happening even when tow/haul was off. A recall addressed an incorrect shift cable bracket and improper shift cable adjustment. Brakes and electrical complaints, each 13% of the total, also showed low median mileages of 2,400 and 1,800.
Most common Ford F53 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (32%)
- Electrical System25 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (18%)
- Structure & Body23 (17%)
- Brakes22 (16%)
- Other16 (12%)
- Engine12 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (8%)
- Steering7 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Ford F53 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA complaint and recall data point to 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021 as the F53 years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 94, 75, 81, 100, and 88 respectively, the highest in the lineup.
- Which Ford F53 years are the best?
- 2013, 2017, and 2019 rate Good, with complaint indexes of 38, 31, and 44, lower than the years marked Avoid or Caution.
- Does the Ford F53 have recall issues?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns across F53 model years, including brake caliper machining defects in 2014, a shift cable bracket issue in 2016, wheel hub stud problems in 2018, and rear stabilizer bar and rear axle lubrication recalls covering 2020 and 2021.
- What are the most common F53 problem areas?
- Across all model years, Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads with 44 complaints (32% share), followed by Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain, each with 25 and 24 complaints (18% share).
- Is the 2020 Ford F53 reliable?
- The 2020 F53 has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, out of 32 total complaints, with Suspension and Transmission problems dominant and two recall campaigns issued, making it an Avoid year relative to other F53 model years.