YearToAvoid

2013 Ford F53 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#10 most-complained of 16 F53 years

The 2013 Ford F53 has a complaint index of 40, ranking 10th of 16 model years, with a "Good" verdict. It has 8 complaints, 1 recall, no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.

Complaints
8
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2013 Ford F53 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes3 (38%)
  2. Electrical System3 (38%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (25%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (13%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers1 (13%)

What owners report

  • Brake pedal was engaged going down a slope but the vehicle failed to slow down, though tow/haul mode brought it to a stop.
  • Headlights were reported as too dim for safe night driving, forcing reliance on high beams.
  • Rear stabilizer bar (anti-sway bar) bracket bolts came loose repeatedly, causing increased sway and roll while driving.
  • Front windshield fiberglass separated from the motorhome body due to glue peeling between the fiberglass and metal frame.
  • Brake lines were found rusted, raising concern about eventual brake line failure.
  • An electric double step recall repair required reimbursement request from an owner.
2013 Ford F53 complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2015Nov 2015Jul 2017Sep 2017May 2018Jun 2018Nov 2022
10 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2015 to Nov 2022; peak Sep 2017 (2).

2013 Ford F53 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V422000Aug 29, 2012Steering31 vehicles

    Steering

    Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 F-53 motorhome stripped chassis vehicles manufactured from July 10, 2012 through July 13, 2012. Theses vehicles were assembled with incorrect steering gear adapter plate retention fasteners. Steering gear adapter plate fasteners could lead to torque loss in the steering gear attachment, potentionally leading to loosening and subsequent separation of the stearing gear over time.

    Risk: Separation of the steering gear may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear adapter plate retention fasteners, free of charge. The safety recall was completed on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

2013 compared with other F53 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good4771—
2012No verdict711—
2013Good4081—
2014Avoid93171—
2015Caution6070—

All Ford F53 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Ford F53 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2013 Ford F53 a complaint index of 40 and a "Good" verdict, ranking 10th out of 16 model years on record.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford F53?
Brakes and Electrical System each account for 38% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 25%.
Does the 2013 Ford F53 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 12V422000) covers a steering gear adapter plate retention fastener issue on units built between July 10 and July 13, 2012.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford F53 problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 17,150 miles, though brake complaints had a much lower median of 575 miles.
How does the 2013 Ford F53 compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 40, the 2013 model ranks better than years like 2014 (93, Avoid) and 2020 (100, Avoid), but worse than 2017 (20, Best).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.