2020 Ford F-53

Routine

Owners filed 32 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension15
000
Service Brakes5
000
Structure2
000
Power Train2
000
Electrical System2
000
Steering1
000
Seat Belts1
000
Power Train › Axle Assembly1
000
Parking Brake1
000
Engine1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear22V731000
Filed Sep 30, 202213,455 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-53 recreational stripped chassis vehicles. The rear stabilizer bar attachment brackets may break and separate from the vehicle.

Risk. Brackets that separate from the vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the bolt tightness for both rear stabilizer attachment brackets and replace the weld nuts and bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become ready February 28, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S62.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft21V202000
Filed Mar 24, 202116,128 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles. An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear wheel bearing damage and bearing seizure, and rear axle or driveshaft failure.

Risk. Failure of the rear axle or driveshaft may cause the loss of motive power, failure of the parking brake, and the inability to shift the transmission into "PARK," increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the rear wheel bearings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S17.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Mar 7, 2026CA

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

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2026TN

The Ford dealer performed the Recall 21/v202 and the ABS light stays on.

Structure
Filed Apr 24, 202511,055 milesCA

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.

Structure
Filed Feb 3, 2025CA

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.

Suspension
Filed Sep 27, 2024MD

See attached document for complaint.

Electrical System
Filed May 7, 2024MA

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."

Suspension
Filed Feb 9, 2024OR

See attached document for complaint

Steering
Filed Aug 9, 2023CA

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.

Suspension
Filed May 16, 2023LA

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.

Suspension
Filed Mar 27, 2023ID

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.

Suspension
Filed Nov 3, 2022OH

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 .

Suspension
Filed Nov 2, 202210,000 milesTN

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.

Suspension
Filed Nov 2, 2022OH

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

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2022CA

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.

Suspension
Filed May 3, 2022WA

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 23, 2022TX

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.

Suspension
Filed Mar 17, 2022NV

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.

Suspension
Filed Mar 2, 2022TN

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2022FL

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.

Suspension
Filed Nov 18, 2021CA

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.

20 of 32 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2020
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20260200Routine
20251300Routine
20244100Routine
20234100Routine
20223200Routine
202113200Routine
2020 — this page32200Routine
20196000Routine
201811110Routine
20176100Routine
201615100Routine
20157000Routine
201417110Routine
20138100Routine
20121100Routine
20117110Routine
20101000Routine
20081000Routine
20032000Routine
20020100Routine
20015100Routine
20002100Routine
199915200Routine
19981100Routine
19973200Routine
19962200Routine
19956200Routine
19940100Routine
19930100Routine
19923100Routine
19912100Routine
19903100Routine

Compare every F-53 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 30, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.