SUSPENSION:REAR
2020 Ford F-53
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 32 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the suspension, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 36 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 3 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 5 |
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 7 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 9 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 11 |
| Nov 2021 | 2 | 13 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 14 |
| Mar 2022 | 2 | 16 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 17 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 18 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 19 |
| Nov 2022 | 3 | 22 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 23 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 24 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 25 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 26 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 27 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 28 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 29 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 30 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 31 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 32 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Suspension1833.3%
- Powertrain (other)1120.4%
- Brakes713.0%
- Other / unspecified47.4%
- Electrical47.4%
- Body & structure23.7%
- Driver assistance23.7%
- Engine23.7%
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.govPOWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT; SUSPENSION:REAR
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Manufacturer Recall Number21S17 NHTSA Recall Number21V202 AN INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF REAR AXLE LUBRICANT. In February 2026 Ford Dealer stated that parts for this recall are on a nationwide backorder. The Ford Dealer was Ken Grody Ford Commercial Truck Center, located in Fullerton, CA. This recall was issued in 2021…How is it possible that parts are still not available?!?!?! This vehicle is a motorhome that we travel in for work and do not have an alternative. Please help with a remedy. Thank you
- NHTSA ID
- 11722724
- Incident
- Feb 9, 2026
The Ford dealer performed the Recall 21/v202 and the ABS light stays on.
- NHTSA ID
- 11715489
- Incident
- Feb 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-53. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21E047000 (STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the windows of the RV detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the RV to JnK Automotive, and it was determined that the window was include in the recall. The contact was contacted by Newmar and requested pictures of the RV windows; however, Newmar asked for the pictures to be retaken. The RV remained at JnK Automotive awaiting the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 11,055.
- NHTSA ID
- 11656577
- Incident
- Mar 7, 2025
- Mileage
- 11,055 mi
The contact owns a 2021 Fleetwood Flair built on a 2020 Ford F-53 Chassis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V607000 (Structure); and was informed by the dealer advised that the RV needed to be inspected to check for the affected cabinet and then to report to the manufacturer for approval before the recall repair could be completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had created an unreasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. VIN tool showed no open recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11640330
- Incident
- Aug 13, 2024
See attached document for complaint.
- NHTSA ID
- 11616824
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2023
While driving the cruise control shut off, all dash lights came on - ABS brakes, traction control, etc. We stopped at the next service center and called tech support. Tech support felt it was a bad sensor which would correct itself after engine shut off for a little while. The motorhome would be safe to get to a repair center. Shutting the engine off did not correct the issue - the lights continued to come on. The repair center "found the wiring harness was loose at L/F rear of engine and was resting on the exhaust manifold flange. Verified severe wiring damage from laying on the flange - lots of wires were burnt up." "The possiblity of causing a severe fire."
- NHTSA ID
- 11587428
- Incident
- Apr 11, 2024
See attached document for complaint
- NHTSA ID
- 11571027
- Incident
- Aug 28, 2023
Loud thumping while turning was the symptom. The front chassis frame crossmember rivets were loose (Other marked above = chassis). The same area that the front leaf springs and steering were connected to the frame. This also cause the sector shaft in the steering box to get loose and have excessive play (over 1/4 inch). If this were to fail completely, the steering would no longer be functional causing a catastrophic failure and accident. The dealer did not diagnose the problem properly and tried to say it was the motorhome manufacturer who caused the problem. Please note that none of the parts involved in the fix for the problem had anything to do with the motorhome. When escalated to Ford customer service, they chose not to have the vehicle inspected by their corporate staff instead entirely relying on the mechanics initial assessment (Denial letter from Ford available as an additional file). When taken to another repair shop, they found the specific problem with the frame and steering box and fixed the problem. The owner of the shop noted he has had multiple identical issues with the F53 frame.
- NHTSA ID
- 11537479
- Incident
- Oct 3, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
This article supersedes TSB 25-2572 to update the Parts List to correct the part number LC3Z-6006-L to LC3Z-6781-A, remove the flex plate bolts AL3Z-6379-BA from the parts list as these bolts are in kit LC3Z-6781-A, update the claim quantity of the part number W709771-S440 to 9 pieces (F-650/F750-Engine Replacement), W706447-S437 and W715068-S437 to 4 pieces, W712861-S439 to 8 pieces(F-Super Duty Pickup And Chassis Cab-Engine Replacement) / 8 pieces (F-53 Motorhome/F-59 Stripped Chassis Cab/F-650,F750 Engine Replacement) / W714286-S442 to 4 pieces (F-Super Duty Pickup And Chassis Cab-Camshaft and Tappet Repair / F-Super Duty Pickup And Chassis Cab-Engine Replacement), include LC3Z-6020-A for the Engine replacement lists, include 1 fuel injector seal kit to the Camshaft and Tappet repair lists, include 4 pieces of W520114-S440 to the E Series-Camshaft and Tappet Repair list, and update the engine oil part numbers XO-5W30-Q1SP and CXO-5W30-LSP6. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an upper engine ticking or tapping noise at idle. Customers may also report experiencing ro
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN
This article supersedes TSB 25-2322 to update the Service Procedure, Labor Operations and Parts List. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an upper engine ticking or tapping noise at idle. Customers may also report experiencing rough engine performance, engine misfire, or a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0301-P0308 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to camshaft and/or valve tappet having excess wear within the engine assembly.
POWER TRAIN
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0420 and/or P0430 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
This article supersedes TSB 25-2200 to update the parts list to add the new camshaft and tappet service kit and add F-650/F-750. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an upper engine ticking or tapping noise at idle. Customers may also report experiencing rough engine performance, engine misfire, or a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0301-P0308 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to camshaft and/or valve tappet having excess wear within the engine assembly.
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an upper engine ticking or tapping noise at idle. Customers may also report experiencing rough engine performance, engine misfire, or a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0301-P0308 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to camshaft and/or valve tappet having excess wear within the engine assembly.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 37.3 |
| 2020Viewing | 32 | 2 | 0 | 42.4 |
| 2019 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 43.0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 37.9 |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 45.8 |
| 2013 | 8 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 43.2 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.