YearToAvoid

2023 Ford F53 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

53/100

#8 most-complained of 16 F53 years

The 2023 Ford F53 has a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th out of 16 model years. It has 4 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2023 Ford F53 problems

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

  1. Electrical System3 (75%)
  2. Engine1 (25%)
  3. Steering1 (25%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (25%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers1 (25%)

What owners report

  • Owners report difficulty getting the Smart Data Link Connector recall repair completed because replacement parts were unavailable.
  • One owner described the instrument panel becoming completely inoperable while the vehicle was parked.
  • A motorhome built on the 2023 F-53 chassis reportedly swerved across the roadway and was hard to keep driving straight at 1,204 miles.
  • The same complaint noted a windshield leak that caused loud noise inside the cabin.
2023 Ford F53 complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2023Aug 2024Sep 2024Aug 2025
7 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2023 to Aug 2025; peak Aug 2024 (3).

2023 Ford F53 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V510000Jul 21, 2023Electrical System5,558 vehicles

    Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-53 recreational stripped chassis and F-59 commercial stripped chassis vehicles. Corrosion in the Smart Data Link Connector (SDLC) may interfere with the Controller Area Network (CAN) communication, resulting in an inoperative instrument panel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."

    Risk: An inoperative instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness connector, and inspect and replace the SDLC module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C24.

2023 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
2021Avoid87132—
2022No verdict2732—
2023No verdict5341—
2024No verdict6741—
2025No verdict1313—

All Ford F53 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Ford F53 reliable?
NHTSA lists only 4 complaints and 1 recall for the 2023 F53, with a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th out of 16 model years. That places it in the middle of the pack for this model, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
Does the 2023 Ford F53 have a recall?
Yes. Recall 23V510000 covers corrosion in the Smart Data Link Connector that may interfere with the Controller Area Network. Some owners reported the repair part was unavailable for an extended period.
What is the top problem area for the 2023 Ford F53?
Electrical System complaints make up 75% of reports for this model year, tied largely to the Smart Data Link Connector recall.
What year Ford F53 should I avoid?
Among F53 years with an 'Avoid' verdict are 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2021, each with higher complaint indexes than the 2023 model's 53.

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.