RoadVitals

1996 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.
2
Latest Jul 28, 2015
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.
2
Latest Feb 4, 2008
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the brakes and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Fuel system150.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
08V051000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 4, 2008
225,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
The risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 08S01View on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON DEPRESSING AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ UPDATED 12/13/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10744397
Incident
Oct 5, 2005
Mileage
30,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2002

WHIRRING NOISE FROM FUEL PUMP AS DESCRIBED IN FORD TECHNICAL BULLETIN AND LOSS OF SENDING UNIT SIGNAL TO FUEL GAUGE. PARTS DEPT AND SERVISOR FOR LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMIT SEVERAL UNITS REPLACED USING SPECIFIED FIELD REVISION PARTS SEPARATING FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT USING NEW DESIGN JUMPER HARNESS. NOT COVERED BY ANY KNOWN RECALL. COST TO UNFORTUNATE CONSUMER, $371.80 FOR PARTS PLUS $75.00 PER HOUR WITH NO TIME ESTIMATE. ANY MALFUNCTION IN THE FULE TANK AND DELIVERY SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE GAUGING SYSTEM POWERED BY ELECTRICITY IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS I SEE IT AS A FORMER OSHA ASSOCIATE (WITH MY FORMER EMPLOYER, BEFORE RETIREMENT).*AK

NHTSA ID
763945
Incident
Jul 3, 2002

Manufacturer communications

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

4626

INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING AND O/D OFF LAMP FLASHING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 62 / 628 / 1728. *TT

985A12

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES

RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT

97090297187

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SOME VEHICLES MAY STALL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED INTO GEAR. *YC

97515

POWER TRAIN

SPEEDOMETER- SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER INOPERATIVE/ERRATIC AND/OR HARSH TRANSMISSION SHIFTS- F-53 CLASS "A" F-SUPER DUTY MOTORHOME CHASSIS. *JD

962413

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

962414

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING - STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT - CLEAR VISION. *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—
1996Viewing220—
1995620—
1994010—
1993010—
1992310—
1991210—
1990310—
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.