RoadVitals

1999 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.
15
Latest Feb 26, 2008
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 Aug 3, 2007
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.
1
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 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the engine, suspension and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 26 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

  • Engine635.3%
  • Suspension423.5%
  • Fuel system211.8%
  • Powertrain (other)211.8%
  • Other / unspecified15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Brakes15.9%

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
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
99V062001

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Mar 30, 1999
898,739 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
The risk: IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 99S09View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ00020ClosedInvestigation

ENGINE STALLING

Opened Dec 6, 2000
Closed May 24, 2002

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 15
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 26, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F53. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,200. UPDATED 3/11/08 UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10219208
Incident
Sep 12, 2007
Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 2007

I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEELS ON MY FORD F53 CHASSIS MOTORHOME. FORD WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WHAT SO EVER EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE A TSB OUT ON THE PROBLEM! MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CENTER HOLE IN THE WHEEL WHICH IS USED TO CENTER THE WHEEL ON THE HUB IS TOO LARGE AND THE WHEEL CAN NOT BE PROPERLY CENTERED ON HUB. FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE WHEELS. HTTP://WWW.FORD-TRUCKS.COM/TSB/FULLTEXT/SHOW_ARTICLE.PHP?TSB=00-21-9 I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS,THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY SUGGESTED I HAVE A "HAWEKA ADAPTOR KIT" INSTALLED ON MY WHEELS. IN CALLING TOMMY AT HAWEKA HE SAID THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD HAD FROM 1999-2002 ON THEIR WHEEL HUBS AND NOT THE WHEEL ITSELF. HE SAID THAT THE WHEEL IS "IMPOSSIBLE" TO CENTER ON THE HUB WITHOUT THIS KIT AND THEN IT HAD TO BE BALANCED USING A DSP HUNTING 9000 WITH "SILVER STAR,4 FINGER CENTERING STICKS AND A BACKING DISC". MY PROBLEM NOW IS THAT FORD WILL NO LONGER WILL SUPPORT THIS REPAIR METHOD AND WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10197248
Incident
May 1, 2001
Mileage
1,400 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 8, 2005

FORD 1999 F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS -LOSS OF POWER IN A DRIVING RAINSTORM. WATER FOUND IN AIR INTAKE - LOWER BOWL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10144755
Incident
Dec 7, 2005
Mileage
30,140 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 5, 2005

DT: CALLER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON V8 ENGINES, NOT ON V10. CALLER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE'S EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND STUDS. CALLER SAID STUDS BROKE AND EXHAUST WAS LEAKING INTO THE CAB OF VEHICLE. CALLER THOUGHT THE STUDS RUSTED. DEALER SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP HIM UNLESS CONSUMER PAID FOR IT. MANUFACTURER SAID CONSUMER WAS NOT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE V10 ENGINES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10127438
Incident
Oct 15, 2004
Mileage
19,000 mi
Filed Dec 19, 2003

WHATS THE USE OF HAVING TSB'S WITH NO INFORMATION? JUST WANT TO MAKE A DIME MORE? THIS SITE IS USELESS. WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY SEARCH TSB'S? ANSWERS! YOU HAVE NONE! QUIT WASTING PEOPLES TIME AND MONEY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10050809
Incident
Dec 19, 2003
Suspension
Filed Jul 15, 2002

WHILE DRIVING TRUCK SHAKES.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013945
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 7, 2001

WHEELS CANNOT BE BALANCED TO PREVENT VIBRATION OF VEHICLE. DIFFERENTIAL WAS DEFECTIVE FROM FORD AND WAS REPLACED AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS TO FIX SAME. CHASSIS IS STILL VIBRATING AND UNUSABLE AS ONE REPAIR ATTEMPT WRAPPED THE GENERATER GAS LINE AROUND THE GENERATOR EXHAUST PIPE ( THIS REPAIR ATTEMPT WAS BY FLEETWOOD MOTORHOMES IN DECATUR, IND. ON A SECOND TRY TO FIX THE MOTORHOME).

NHTSA ID
738965
Incident
Aug 9, 1999
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2000

WHENEVER IT RAINS WATER GETS INSIDE OF ENGINE AIR FILTER ON THE MOTORHOME CHASSIS. THIS CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN. WOULD STALL OUT WHEN STARTING. TSB #13079 ON CHASSIS. DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR PROBLEM AND GET WATER OUT OF ENGINE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
865630
Incident
Jan 1, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

07212

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE

020909

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER AND A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. 1999-2004 SUPER DUTY F-53 STRIPPED CHAS. *TT

021712

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

CONCERNS WITH MOTORHOME GENERATORS SHUTTING OFF WHEN FUEL TANK READS 1/4 FULL. *TT

02141

SUSPENSION

SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 10/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK NOISE FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS. THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR LEAF SPRING TIP LINER. *TT

0299

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME VEHICLES MAY INGEST AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. *TT

0263

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION ON GEL-LIKE SUBSTANCE FLOATING ON TOP OF FLUID IN MASTER CYLINDER. *TT

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—
1999Viewing152143.2
1998110—
1997320—
1996220—
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.