2020 Ford F-53 Owner Complaints

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

The contact owns a 2022 Tiffan Open Raod. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22v731000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11522238

Incident

Sep 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-53. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:  22V731000 (Suspension), however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11514009

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

coach battery wiring drain repaired at lazy days 50 miles . Adapter on power steering\power breaks leaking at 300 miles. ford could not get hose and adapter parts. auto zone got parts fixed myself. Left rear sway bar attachment bracket missing one bolt and bushing at7000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . Right rear sway bar attachment bracket bushing worn out at 13000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . 13500 miles had to replace all 4 standard ford shocks to fix steering and ride ,tail swing .

NHTSA ID

11492113

Incident

Jul 29, 2021

had to replace left rear sway bar bushing broken bolt 7000miles. replaced right rear bushing and bolts 13000 miles parts discarded. had to replace all 4 shocks 13500 miles causing bad handling stock ford shocks lost rebound repairs found at oil change at kinnpin dogde in town as it is hard to find a ford dealer that will work on rv's or even oil changes

NHTSA ID

11491941

Incident

Oct 20, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V731000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rear stabilizer bar had detached. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was told that the remedy would not be available until the 4th quarter of 2023.The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11491887

Incident

Sep 30, 2022

Mileage

10,000 mi

In ordinary driving conditions when a crosswind is present, the Electronic Stability Control warning light comes on, disabling the vehicle’s traction control, cruise control and hill start assist, and possibly affecting the vehicle’s Anti-Lock Braking system. The warning light goes off after the engine is stopped and restarted. This condition has surfaced multiple times since I took ownership of this vehicle in April 2021. The sudden and unexpected loss of traction control and cruise control in windy or stormy conditions when the road surface may be slick with snow or rain creates a hazard to driver and passenger safety.

NHTSA ID

11484621

Incident

Jun 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11463196

Incident

Feb 25, 2022

The abs light, and the traction control light stays on. When illuminated there is no hill start assist available, no abs braking, no traction control, nor cruise control.

NHTSA ID

11461869

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

The contact owns a 2020 Forest River RV built on a 2020 Ford F53 chassis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact was unsure whether the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11457176

Incident

Mar 17, 2022

The rear anti-sway bar is missing the driver side bushing, bracket and bolts. It is available at my home for inspection. I will not drive the vehicle (Forest River FR3 motorhome) until I can replace the bushing and bracket. The vehicle is very unstable in winds or when the vehicle is passed by a large vehicle. This creates and unsafe driving situation as the vehicle is pushed to the shoulder of the highway by the wind and large vehicles and then a steering correction sends it back toward the left lane. The problem was detected by the owner and not confirmed by a second party. It has not been inspected by anyone other than the owner. The only warning of the safety problem was poor handling on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11454825

Incident

Mar 2, 2022

The ABS and traction control warning light on the dash is in. When this happens the Hill assist is inoperable and the cruise control does not work I think it is a safety issue for these systems not to work. I have had my vehicle at the Ford dealership 2 times and the issue has not been repaired. The dealership said to drive it.

NHTSA ID

11449191

Incident

Jan 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) 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 manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11440946

Incident

Nov 16, 2021

The following warning messages appeared at once and the cruise control was canceled causing Motorhome to slow suddenly on Turnpike. Hill assist inactive ABS inactive Traction control inactive This happened 3 times in a 2 hour drive on 11/15/2021. It has happened before but eventually goes away. It now happens more frequently.

NHTSA ID

11440619

Incident

Nov 15, 2021

2020 FORD F53. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR AXLE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO DEALERS WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE WILLING TO PERFORM THE SAFETY RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

11436427

Incident

Oct 12, 2021

A large hole melted in the front pass through storage compartment, caused by intense heat from the exhaust right below the melted spot. There is no heat shield, and the wiring for the entire coach was also at risk, some of the ceasing melted. This has been verified by a service center. There could have been catastrophic consequences had the wiring melted during travel. The problem was first discovered while traveling in August 2021, but the wiring issue was unknown until October 8, 2021 while at the service center. In addition, both rear wheels are leaking grease, the problem first noticed while traveling in New York. However, the leaking was unknown until October 8 while at the service center. These are serious issues, and have no place in a 2021 new motorhome made by Jayco.

NHTSA ID

11436128

Incident

Aug 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-53 Chassis. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11425533

Incident

Mar 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11424856

Incident

May 28, 2021