2016 Ford F-53: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-53. The contact stated that upon further inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the chassis body had several fractured welds, and the brackets were missing. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the brackets holding the chassis body of the frame were fractured. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2025
“Electrical transfer switch buzzes after one to two hours of plugging in. Louder after more hours. Hydraulic jack pump replaced twice in first year and needs repair or replace again after 13 months.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
“Atwood heater cover vents facing inward causing water to short circuits. Could cause fire and burn rv. Windshield wiper system arms fell apart while in use renderi g system inoperative. Thor motorcoach will not send parts and these are known defects to them. Have submitted pictures and ignored.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2016
Show 4 more owner reports
“Sometimes when starting from a dead stop the engine cuts back to idle, pauses then speeds back to normal then goes thru this cycle two or three times before getting up to speed.. It is dangerous when pulling out into traffic.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“2016 jayco alante motorhome on a ford f53 chassis 16000 gvwr. When operating in the tow/haul mode, no engine braking is available as described in the owners manual (page 32, 33). This causes a potentially unsafe condition in all modes of travel, especially descending a hill or mountain as brake overheating or failure or fire could occur. I have read other similar reports on several rv forums to include irv2.com. Ford motor company has told others that there is not a problem, but my previous two motorhomes with similar engine and transmission equipment performed perfectly as advertised.this condition should definitely be addressed by the manufacturer.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2016
“I have a 2016itasca motorhome on a 2016 ford f53 26000 pound chassis. The ford powertrain is equipped with a tow/haul selector. The tow/haul mode is used for various reasons, one of them is the capability of automatically down-shifting when descending steep grades and during hard-stops. This is not the case with my 2016 powertrain, it acts no different when in tow/haul or not.this is a dangerous conditon on decending hills. Brakes could fail due to overheating.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2016
“Tow / haul mode not working correctly its on all the time coming down a grade if you let off the gas it starts to do a hard downshifting of the transmission even if its not necessary its not the way it was designed to work there is a button to turn on or off that does not function.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2016
Recalls - 1 campaign
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis trucks manufactured June 1, 2015, to August 11, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S25.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-53 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford F-53 reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2016 Ford F-53. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2016 Ford F-53 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.