RoadVitals

2026 Ford F-53

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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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.
2
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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2026 Ford F-53. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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.

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.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

Recent owner complaints

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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

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

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.

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
2026Viewing020—
2025130—
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.