2016 Ford F53 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Ford F53 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 5th worst among 17 model years, and is rated Avoid. NHTSA lists 15 complaints, mostly transmission and tow/haul problems, plus 1 recall for an incorrect shift cable bracket.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #5 of 17 F53 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2016 Ford F53 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the tow/haul mode fails to provide engine braking on steep grades, forcing heavier use of the service brakes.
- Some describe the transmission not downshifting at all when tow/haul is engaged, regardless of grade or braking.
- Others report the opposite problem: the transmission performs hard, unnecessary downshifts even when tow/haul is off or not needed.
- A wiper arm reportedly fell apart during use, leaving the wiper system inoperative.
- One owner reported the engine dropping to idle and cycling back to speed when pulling away from a stop, calling it dangerous in traffic.
- An electrical transfer switch reportedly buzzed increasingly after extended plug-in use, alongside a hydraulic jack pump that needed repeated replacement.
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 75 and a rank of 5th worst out of 17 model years, with a verdict of Avoid relative to other F53 years.
- What is the main problem with the 2016 Ford F53?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 40% of complaints (6 of 15), mostly centered on the tow/haul mode not downshifting or engine-braking as described in the owner's manual, with a median failure mileage of 1,900 miles.
- Does the 2016 Ford F53 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA recall 15V611000 covers an incorrect shift cable bracket and improper shift cable on 2016 F53 and F59 chassis built between June 1 and August 11, 2015; Ford replaces the bracket and adjusts the cable.
- How does the 2016 F53 compare to other years?
- The 2016 F53's complaint index of 75 is worse than 2013 (38, Good), 2017 (31, Good), and 2019 (44, Good), but better than 2014 (94, Avoid) and 2020 (100, Avoid).