RoadVitals

1990 Ford F-53

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Oct 25, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 13, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the brakes and steering categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes266.7%
  • Steering133.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V146000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 13, 1993
17,400 units potentially affected
The defect: BRAKE LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ARE ROUTED TOO NEAR THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO OVERHEAT.
The risk: BRAKE FLUID LOSES VISCOSITY WHEN IT OVERHEATS, CAUSINGLOSS OF BRAKES OR INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
The remedy: FORD WILL INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD AND BRAKE LINE INSULATION ON ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Oct 25, 1999

CONSUMER WAS COMING DOWN I 65 IN IDIANA . TURNED RIGHT INTO A REST AREA. THEN HAD TO MAKE A LEFT, AND MOTORHOME WOULD NOT TURN LEFT, AND STEERING WAS STUCK. CONSUMER SAYD IT WAS THE STEERING STABLIZER. *AK

NHTSA ID
851622
Incident
Oct 8, 1999
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 1999

THE DISC BRAKES ON ALL FOUR WHEELS FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS RUBBED AGAINST ROTORS. THIS CAUSED ROTORS TO OVERHEAT. CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED, BUT WEEK LATER PROBLEM WITH DISC BRAKES WOULD REAPPEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
847725
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 1997

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHEN ATTEMPING TO APPLY THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
809010
Incident
Sep 12, 1991

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

98167

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION-E40D-NO 2-3 UPSHIFT. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 2-3 UPSHIFT CONDITION. *AK

985A12

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES

RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT

962413

SUSPENSION:REAR

SUSPENSION - FRONT OR REAR - SIDE-TOSIDE LEVELING PROCEDURES AND ATTITUDE SERVICE KITS FOR F53 RV BASIC STRIPPED CHASSIS. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-53 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026020—
2025130—
2024410—
2023410—
2022320—
2021132037.3
2020322042.4
2019600—
2018111143.0
2017610—
2016151037.9
2015700—
2014171145.8
2013810—
2012110—
2011710—
2010100—
2009000—
2008100—
2007000—
2006000—
2004000—
2003200—
2002010—
2001510—
2000210—
1999152143.2
1998110—
1997320—
1996220—
1995620—
1994010—
1993010—
1992310—
1991210—
1990Viewing310—
1989010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.