RoadVitals

2025 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.
1
Latest Jun 15, 2026
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.
3
Latest Apr 14, 2026
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2025 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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

3 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.gov
26V235000

WHEELS:HUB

Apr 14, 2026
4,351 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-59 and F-53 vehicles. The front axle hub assembly may be missing the spindle nut and cotter pin.
The risk: A missing spindle nut may lead to brake system damage or wheel detachment, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front axle spindle nut and cotter pin as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 4, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 16, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S27View on NHTSA.gov
26V155000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Mar 17, 2026
2,422 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 F-59 and F-53 commercial stripped chassis vehicles. The exterior brake lights may remain illuminated when the driver is not applying the brakes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Brake lights that remain illuminated can fail to alert other vehicles of the driver's intention, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake pedal and repair the brake booster push rod as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C17. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 20, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26C17View on NHTSA.gov
26V025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH

Jan 21, 2026
231 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 F-59 and F-53 vehicles. The exterior brake lights may illuminate unexpectedly or fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is activated, due to an incorrectly installed switch. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly while driving increase the risk of a crash. In addition, the vehicle may be shifted out of park without the brake pedal applied, increasing the risk of a rollaway and crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the stop light switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C01. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 22, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26C01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jun 15, 2026

2026 F-53 Motorhome Chassis Front axle spindle nut and cotter pin inspection Description On your vehicle, the front axle hub assembly may be missing the spindle nut and cotter pin. Safety Risk A missing spindle nut and cotter pin may cause the wheel to loosen and contact the brake components or detach from the vehicle. This may result in a loss of braking performance or a loss of vehicle control, either of which increases the risk of a crash. You may experience warning signs such as wheel vibration, grinding noises, a change in steering feel, or the illumination of the anti-lock brake system ABS dash light. If you experience any of these warning signs, you can reduce the risk of a crash by stopping the vehicle safely and having your vehicle towed to your closest or preferred Ford dealer. Remedy A service inspection and repair is now available for your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to inspect your vehicles front axle spindle nuts and cotter pins free of charge. Next Steps Contact your dealer for more information to schedule the free service.

NHTSA ID
11744292
Incident
Apr 14, 2026

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),

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—
2025Viewing130—
2024410—
2023410—
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.