2016 Ford F53 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 F53 years
The 2016 Ford F53 has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Caution" rating. NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 1 recall, with transmission and powertrain issues making up 40% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Ford F53 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (40%)
- Brakes2 (13%)
- Electrical System2 (13%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Structure & Body2 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (13%)
- Engine1 (7%)
- Seat Belts1 (7%)
What owners report
- Owners report the tow/haul mode fails to provide engine braking or downshift when descending grades, despite owner's manual instructions.
- Some describe the transmission behaving the same whether tow/haul mode is on or off, with no automatic downshifting during hard stops.
- One owner reported hard, unnecessary downshifting when letting off the gas on a grade, along with a tow/haul button that does not function.
- Owners noted windshield wiper arms falling apart during use, leaving the wiper system inoperative.
- One owner reported the engine cutting back to idle and cycling through speed changes when starting from a dead stop.
- A slide-out room was reported as too large for its wall opening, causing it to jam and bind on retraction.
2016 Ford F53 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V611000Sep 30, 2015Transmission & Powertrain1,477 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis trucks manufactured June 1, 2015, to August 11, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.
Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S25.
2016 compared with other F53 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Ford F53 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 F53 a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years and earning a "Caution" verdict relative to other F53 years.
- What is the main problem with the 2016 Ford F53?
- Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area, making up 40% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 1,900 miles. Many owners describe tow/haul mode failing to engage engine braking.
- Does the 2016 Ford F53 have a recall?
- Yes, one recall, campaign 15V611000, covers an incorrect shift cable bracket and improper shift cable adjustment on certain 2016 F-53 and F-59 chassis built between June 1 and August 11, 2015.
- How does the 2016 F53 compare to other years?
- The 2016 model's complaint index of 73 is higher than 2011 (47), 2013 (40), 2015 (60), 2017 (20), and 2019 (33), but lower than 2014 (93), 2020 (100), and 2021 (87), which are rated "Avoid."