RoadVitals

2023 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.
4
Latest Aug 25, 2025
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.
1
Latest Jul 21, 2023
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.
0
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the electrical, driver assistance and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 17 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

  • Electrical342.9%
  • Driver assistance114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Steering114.3%
  • Visibility114.3%

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

1 campaign 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
23V510000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Jul 21, 2023
5,558 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-53 recreational stripped chassis and F-59 commercial stripped chassis vehicles. Corrosion in the Smart Data Link Connector (SDLC) may interfere with the Controller Area Network (CAN) communication, resulting in an inoperative instrument panel. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays" and 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems."
The risk: An inoperative instrument panel cannot show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness connector, and inspect and replace the SDLC module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 26, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C24.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 23C24View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 25, 2025

The instrument cluster failed to operate

NHTSA ID
11682971
Incident
Aug 1, 2025
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V510000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the instrument panel had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the smart data link connectors (SDLC) module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11612674
Incident
Sep 4, 2024
Interior & seatsSteeringVisibility
Filed Aug 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2024 Coachmen Encore RV built on a 2023 Ford F-53 Motorhome Chassis. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RV was swerving all over the roadway. The contact stated that it was extremely difficult to keep the RV driving in a straight line. The contact also stated that the windshield was leaking, causing a very loud noise inside the RV while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the lock for the main door had fallen off. The RV was taken to a dealer; however, the contact was informed that the cause of the swerving while driving could not be determined. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,204.

NHTSA ID
11607046
Incident
Jun 6, 2024
Mileage
1,204 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V510000 (Electrical System) 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11553403
Incident
Jul 21, 2023

Manufacturer communications

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

SSM 54976

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

Some 2023-2026 F-53 Motorhome Chassis/F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and 2024-2026 F-650/F-750/E-Series vehicles equipped with a 6R140 transmission may be limited to 5th gear and reverse gear only. Additionally, the driver will be able to shift back to park. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2701, P2704, P0757, and/or P0733 may be stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to PCM software being unable to command the transmission solenoid clutch actuators when the battery has a low state of charge (SOC) and/or the vehicle has been jump started. To restore proper transmission functionality, charge the battery as stated in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01 Charging System > General Information. Cycle the ignition on then off and leave the vehicle off for 5 minutes to confirm the condition is no longer present. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, refer to the Owner's Manual > Storing Your Vehicle > Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage > 12V Battery. Replacement of transmission components will not resolve this condition. Inform the customer that the condition has no impact on tr

TSB 26-2256

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

SSM 54899

POWER TRAIN

Some 2023-2026 F-53 Motorhome Chassis/F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and 2024-2026 F-650/F-750/E-Series vehicles equipped with a 6R140 transmission may be limited to 5th gear and reverse gear only. Additionally, the driver will be able to shift back to park. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2701, P2704, P0757, and/or P0733 may be stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to PCM software being unable to command the transmission solenoid clutch actuators when the battery has a low state of charge (SOC) and/or the vehicle has been jump started. To restore proper transmission functionality, charge the battery as stated in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01 Charging System > General Information. Cycle the ignition on then off and leave the vehicle off for 5 minutes to confirm the condition is no longer present. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, refer to the Owner's Manual > Storing Your Vehicle > Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage > 12V Battery. Replacement of transmission components will not resolve this condition.

SSM 54678

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),

SSM 54515

POWER TRAIN; SUSPENSION

2023-2024 F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome Chassis/F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and 2023-2025 F-650/F-750/E-Series vehicles equipped with a Dana rear axle and built on or after 01-Jul-2022 may have orange/red RTV sealant used as the gasket on the differential housing cover. This does not indicate any previous repairs as it is used by Dana during assembly.

TSB 25-2572

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.

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—
2023Viewing410—
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—
1999152143.2
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.