SUSPENSION:REAR
2021 Ford F-53
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the suspension, electrical and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 41 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2022 | 2 | 4 |
| May 2022 | 2 | 6 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 7 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 9 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 10 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 11 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 12 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 13 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Suspension526.3%
- Electrical315.8%
- Brakes315.8%
- Other / unspecified210.5%
- Powertrain (other)210.5%
- Driver assistance210.5%
- Exterior lighting15.3%
- Steering15.3%
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
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-53. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the chassis was lowered down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact looked underneath the trailer and noticed that the chassis had lowered down. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer declined to diagnose the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,166.
- NHTSA ID
- 11650566
- Incident
- Mar 11, 2025
- Mileage
- 8,166 mi
22S62 - Loose Rear Stabilizer Bar Bracket Bolts. The rear stabilizer bar attachment brackets may break and separate from the vehicle during usage. NOTE: This is a safety risk that I do not want to take. Ford Pro has not been able to locate a Ford Repair in the local area(within 100 miles) that can do this repair. NOTE2: The offical notice was issued in Jult 2024 from Ford, P,O, Box 1904, Dearborn, MI 48212-1904.
- NHTSA ID
- 11612549
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2024
Front bump stops for suspension fell of in first 5k miles. I had them replaced and less than 1k miles later one of them is falling off again. This is a common issue with ford F53 RV owners, regardless of final RV maker (mine is Tiffin, but Thor and Fleetwood owners all are having this issue). According to the service ticket this was a revised part. This is a real safety issue as the front springs are now steel on steel in a bump scenario and could cause an driver to loose control..
- NHTSA ID
- 11586542
- Incident
- Apr 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F53. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the electronic braking system independently engaged, causing all the rear tires to shake without warning. The contact pulled off to the shoulder of the highway with white-colored smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact called for assistance, but the contact was instructed to drive the vehicle in 20-minute increments until he arrived at a service center. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the electronic brake had overheated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket by the contact. The failure mileage was 2,981.
- NHTSA ID
- 11560664
- Incident
- Jul 5, 2022
- Mileage
- 2,981 mi
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V731000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Several local dealers were contacted, and the contact was informed that an appointment to repair the vehicle was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there was no appointment yet available to repair the vehicle under recall. 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. The VIN was not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11541138
- Incident
- Aug 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F53. The contact stated that the automatic headlight switch failed to turn on. The contact was unable to view the instrument cluster. The contact had to utilize the windshield wipers for the automatic headlights to operate as needed. The contact covered the electric eye while activating the headlights. The contact called and notified an unknown local dealer of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
- NHTSA ID
- 11529386
- Incident
- Sep 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F53. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he had not experienced any failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11467180
- Incident
- Jan 2, 2022
- Mileage
- 2,000 mi
I have a 2021 Ford F-53 Mobile home. The "AdvanceTrac" and Traction Control Warning Lights intermittently come on during normal driving conditions. This has occurred on multiple trips. Online Blogs show this problem is occurring on other people's automobiles. Ford does not have a RV Service center available to even diagnose this problem until late July. It is currently May. My only option is to let the new RV sit or drive it under these conditions which could be dangerous.
- NHTSA ID
- 11466199
- Incident
- Apr 21, 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
ENGINE
Some 2021-2026 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2025 E-Series/F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 7.3L engine may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise upon startup that may remain after the engine is running. Workshop Manual (WSM),
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.
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN
Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis/F-650/F-750/Transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.5L (non hybrid)/6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2026 E-Series may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise from the bellhousing area on start-up. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 Engine System - General Information > Diagnosis and Testing and 303-06 > Starting System has been updated to address this condition. Additionally, WSM, Section 303-01 > Removal and Installation > Engine to Transmission Spacer Plate has been added to address this condition. Refer to the revised WSM sections for normal diagnosis.
POWER TRAIN
Some 2021-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L/5.2L engine, 2021-2025 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8L/7.3L engine and 2021-2026 E-Series/F-650/F-750 vehicles equipped with a 7.3L engine may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise upon startup that may remain after the engine is running. This may be due to the starter motor drive gear not retracting after starting. To correct this condition, inspect the starter motor drive gear and shaft. If the starter motor drive gear slides back and forth by hand and/or shows signs of scoring or damage, replace the starter motor following Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-06 Starting System > Removal and Installation > Starter.
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 | — |
| 2021Viewing | 13 | 2 | 0 | 37.3 |
| 2020 | 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.