2014 Ford F-53 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Ford F-53, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure728.0%
- Interior & seats312.0%
- Suspension312.0%
- Other / unspecified312.0%
- Visibility28.0%
- Exterior lighting28.0%
- Airbags14.0%
- Engine14.0%
- Steering14.0%
- Electrical14.0%
- Fuel system14.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENTRY DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MULTIPLE TIMES HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL ON LATER MODEL YEARS, BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHY?? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND CERTAINLY ONE THAT EXISTS IN PRIOR YEARS. *TT *TR
ENTRY DOOR POPS OPEN IN MOTION *TT *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENTRY DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MULTIPLE TIMES HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL ON LATER MODEL YEARS, BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHY?? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND CERTAINLY ONE THAT EXISTS IN PRIOR YEARS. *TT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEADBOLT LOCK ON THE ENTRY DOOR WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEPS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF SACRAMENTO (1039 ORLANDO AVE, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (916) 772-1155), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V510000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND 15V866000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO LIGHT UP THE ROAD. HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAM AT NIGHT. LEG LIGHTS LIKE THESE JUST DISAPPEAR OUT IN THE DARK, IS NOT BEAMED AT ALL. CANNOT SEE THE ROAD, PERIOD. CONTACTED FR BUT THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LIGHT FIXTURE ARE ALSO LOOSE AND HARD TO TIGHTEN BACK UP. THE FORD F53 CHASSIS IS A 2014 MAKE. SUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD IN THE FRONT. 3 TIMES REPLACED BEARINGS AND SPINDLE. ON WARRANTY BUT THERE IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH SUSPENSION AND IT MAKES THE FRONT VIBRATE. SO MUCH SO THAT THE OVERHEAD BED HAS FALLEN DOWN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY A WOODEN BRACE. DASHBOARD VIBRATE AS WELL. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. BAD ROADS MAKES IT WORSE.
FOUND THE RIGHT REAR LOWER SWAY BAR MOUNT BOLT MISSING AND THE MOUNT BENT UPWARD, CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO BECOME INEFFECTIVE AND THE BODY LEANING 3" LOWER ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAN THE LEFT SIDE. HANDLING WAS ALSO AFFECTED DRASTICALLY, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL SIMILAR TO A FLAT TIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2014 FORD F-53. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD *CN
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 1800 MILES WHILE MERGING ONTO I65 AT 60MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON I65 NEAR THE INDIANA / KENTUCKY BORDER. THIS OCCURRED ON 03APRIL2016. DAMAGE REQUIRED NEW WHEEL BEARING, SPINDLE, KING PIN, BRAKE PADS, HUB ASSEMBLY AND ROTOR. DELIVERED TO ANDY MOHR TRUCK CENTER IN INDIANAPOLIS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD F53 THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INCREASED TO HIGH SPEED BUT, SEIZED IN THE UPWARD POSITION AND THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A UNKNOWN OBJECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LAZYDAYS RV OF TAMPA 6130 LAZY DAYS BLVD, SEFFNER, FL 33584 (800) 306-4002 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED .THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
WIPERS TRAVEL TOO FAR AND CATCH ON DRIVERS MIRROR (DRIVERS SIDE) AND ON PASSENGERS SIDE, OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE RUBBER GASKET AND HANGS ON GASKET. WHILE IN USE, I MUST EITHER STOP, OR TURN THE WIPERS OFF AFTER ONE SWEEP. I CALLED THOR OWNERS HELPLINE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO HELP. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY (3/11/2019) AND TALKED TO KIRK. AGAIN NO HELP. *DT *DT *DT*JB *BF... CONSUMER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER (4/17/19)*JB *DT CONSUMER STATED WIPER ISSUE IS COMPLETELT RESOLVED.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
INADEQUATE LIGHT FROM HEADLIGHT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT ! BARELY SEE 5 FT IN FRONT AT NIGHT
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO LIGHT UP THE ROAD. HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAM AT NIGHT. LEG LIGHTS LIKE THESE JUST DISAPPEAR OUT IN THE DARK, IS NOT BEAMED AT ALL. CANNOT SEE THE ROAD, PERIOD. CONTACTED FR BUT THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LIGHT FIXTURE ARE ALSO LOOSE AND HARD TO TIGHTEN BACK UP. THE FORD F53 CHASSIS IS A 2014 MAKE. SUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD IN THE FRONT. 3 TIMES REPLACED BEARINGS AND SPINDLE. ON WARRANTY BUT THERE IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH SUSPENSION AND IT MAKES THE FRONT VIBRATE. SO MUCH SO THAT THE OVERHEAD BED HAS FALLEN DOWN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY A WOODEN BRACE. DASHBOARD VIBRATE AS WELL. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. BAD ROADS MAKES IT WORSE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD F53 THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INCREASED TO HIGH SPEED BUT, SEIZED IN THE UPWARD POSITION AND THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A UNKNOWN OBJECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LAZYDAYS RV OF TAMPA 6130 LAZY DAYS BLVD, SEFFNER, FL 33584 (800) 306-4002 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED .THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
AN ALMOST NEW 2014 NEWMAR BAY STAR 3303 MOTORHOME WITH A FORD V10 GASOLINE ENGINE ON A FORD CHASSIS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE ON OUR FIRST BIG FAMILY OUTING IN OUR NEW RV. AT THE LAST MINUTE WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE A GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. UPON VACATING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WAS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPES UNDER THE RV. THE RV WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK GARAGE. FORD TECHS DISCOVERED GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE WAS SQUIRTING ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST AND WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING ON OUR VACATION THE GAS FUMES WOULD HAVE IGNITED AND EXPLODED. THE FIRE WOULD NOW HAVE BE FUELED BY GAS FROM A MELTED HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC GASOLINE LINE. THEN, AS A RV WITH THE ENGINE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS, THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ANYONE FROM EXITING THROUGH THE DOOR. THE GASOLINE FUELED FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY. FORD HAS NO REPAIR FOR THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THEIR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS FORD'S NYLON/PLASTIC FUEL LINE IS INSULATED WITH A SOY BASED FOAM AND/OR OTHER INGREDIENTS THAT ARE NATURALLY GOOD TASTING FOOD PRODUCTS FOR RODENTS/CRITTERS. AS A FOOD BASED PRODUCT, THE FOAM INSULATION AND PLASTIC LINES ATTRACT RODENTS/CRITTERS TO EAT THE FOAM AND FUEL LINE THUS DAMAGING THE PLASTIC LINE CREATING A DANGEROUS GASOLINE LEAK. ON DISCUSSIONS WITH FORD THEY HAVE NO CORRECTION FOR THE PROBLEM. FORD RECOMMENDS PLACING MOTHBALLS UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TO AVOID PARKING IN WOODED AREAS. THE DANGER IS THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE COATED WITH A FOOD BASED FOAM INSULATION IS LOCATED NEAR THE ENGINE CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO LEAK DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS AT RISK EVERY TIME WE USE THE RV DUE TO A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DEFECT BY FORD AND THE LOCATION OF THE ENGINE AND EXIT DOOR ON THE NEWMAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRAVELING ON I-10 WHEN TRUCKS PASSED ME, I WOULD A LOT OF TIMES BE PUSHED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ALSO ON CURVES STILL UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THE FRONT END WAS FLOATING OR LOOSE STEERING. ALL THIS WAS TRAVELING ANY WHERE FROM 55 TO 65 MPH. GOING ON STRAIGHT AWAYS WITH NO TRUCKS PASSING IT DROVE FINE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-53. WHILE THE MOTOR COACH WAS PARKED, TWO OF THE SLIDES, AWNINGS, STAIRS, AND THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEATS FAILED TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURES RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE AWNING AND STAIRS WERE REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT AND SLIDES WERE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURES WERE UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND ASKED THE CONTACT TO RUN A HOT WIRE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE SLIDE CONTROLLER. THE SLIDES BECAME OPERABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 09/01/2015*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES ARE INSTALLED BY THOR MOTOR COACH CO. NOT FORD. THE FAILURE WASS BROKEN HOT WIRING WITHIN THE COACH BODY. THOR MOTOR COACH COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE THE HOT WIRES GO. THERE WERE NUMEROUS FAILURES OF 12 VOLTS LEAVING THE POWER SOURCE AND NOT GETTING TO THE INTENDED COMPONENT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED A SHORT FIRE WOULD OCCUR. UPDATED 12/7/2015 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AN ALMOST NEW 2014 NEWMAR BAY STAR 3303 MOTORHOME WITH A FORD V10 GASOLINE ENGINE ON A FORD CHASSIS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE ON OUR FIRST BIG FAMILY OUTING IN OUR NEW RV. AT THE LAST MINUTE WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE A GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. UPON VACATING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WAS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPES UNDER THE RV. THE RV WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK GARAGE. FORD TECHS DISCOVERED GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE WAS SQUIRTING ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST AND WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING ON OUR VACATION THE GAS FUMES WOULD HAVE IGNITED AND EXPLODED. THE FIRE WOULD NOW HAVE BE FUELED BY GAS FROM A MELTED HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC GASOLINE LINE. THEN, AS A RV WITH THE ENGINE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS, THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ANYONE FROM EXITING THROUGH THE DOOR. THE GASOLINE FUELED FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY. FORD HAS NO REPAIR FOR THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THEIR HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE FOR THIS VEHICLE. IT SEEMS FORD'S NYLON/PLASTIC FUEL LINE IS INSULATED WITH A SOY BASED FOAM AND/OR OTHER INGREDIENTS THAT ARE NATURALLY GOOD TASTING FOOD PRODUCTS FOR RODENTS/CRITTERS. AS A FOOD BASED PRODUCT, THE FOAM INSULATION AND PLASTIC LINES ATTRACT RODENTS/CRITTERS TO EAT THE FOAM AND FUEL LINE THUS DAMAGING THE PLASTIC LINE CREATING A DANGEROUS GASOLINE LEAK. ON DISCUSSIONS WITH FORD THEY HAVE NO CORRECTION FOR THE PROBLEM. FORD RECOMMENDS PLACING MOTHBALLS UNDER THE VEHICLE AND TO AVOID PARKING IN WOODED AREAS. THE DANGER IS THAT THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE COATED WITH A FOOD BASED FOAM INSULATION IS LOCATED NEAR THE ENGINE CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO LEAK DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS AT RISK EVERY TIME WE USE THE RV DUE TO A DESIGN AND ENGINEERING DEFECT BY FORD AND THE LOCATION OF THE ENGINE AND EXIT DOOR ON THE NEWMAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .