2017 Ford F53 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#13 most-complained of 16 F53 years
The 2017 Ford F53 ranks 13th out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 20, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other F53 years. NHTSA lists just 6 complaints and 1 recall for this year, with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2017 Ford F53 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes1 (17%)
- Engine1 (17%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (17%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle swaying uncontrollably across the road at various speeds, tracing back to wheels and tires being the wrong size for the vehicle under a related NHTSA campaign.
- Some owners waited for brake recall parts tied to campaign 17V768000 after the dealer said the parts were unavailable.
- Motorized windshield shades reportedly failed to rise or lower, sometimes dropping down while driving, and the problem recurred even after dealer repair.
- Owners describe the chassis gear shift cable separating, which caused the engine to fail to start when the vehicle was brought in for routine maintenance at 6,473 miles.
- One owner reported acceleration issues that the dealer was unable to duplicate.
2017 Ford F53 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V768000Nov 29, 2017Brakes390 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-53 stripped motorhome chassis and F-59 stripped commercial chassis, equipped with Antilock Brake Systems (ABS). The brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) on these vehicles may be missing valve block ball plugs, potentially causing a brake fluid leak or air ingestion during electronic brake distribution and/or ABS activation.
Risk: A brake fluid leak or air ingestion can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for missing valve block ball plugs, replacing the unit as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 22, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S41.
2017 compared with other F53 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Ford F53 reliable?
- Relative to other F53 model years, 2017 is rated "Best," with a complaint index of 20 versus a high of 100 for the 2020 model. NHTSA shows only 6 complaints and 1 recall for 2017.
- Does the 2017 Ford F53 have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 17V768000) covers the Antilock Brake System's Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit, which could have missing valve block ball plugs requiring inspection or replacement.
- What is the top problem area for the 2017 Ford F53?
- Brakes are listed as the top problem area, though each of the six problem areas (Brakes, Engine, Structure & Body, Suspension, Transmission & Powertrain, Visibility & Wipers) accounts for just 1 complaint, or 17% share each.
- How does the 2017 F53 compare to the 2020 F53?
- The 2017 F53 has a complaint index of 20 and a "Best" verdict, while the 2020 F53 has a complaint index of 100 and an "Avoid" verdict, making 2017 the stronger year by NHTSA complaint data.
- At what mileage do problems typically appear on the 2017 F53?
- Median mileage at failure across reported issues is 3,500 miles overall, with Structure & Body failures at 3,000 miles and Transmission & Powertrain failures at 6,473 miles.