2016 Ford F-53 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (6) · Service Brakes (2) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-53 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2015-09-30 · campaign 15V611000 · 1,477 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (31)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Equipment 2024-04-24 · SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
all accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. if the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicle s owner during initial delivery. unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad,
Power Train:manual Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2023-08-10 · SSM 51854 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p264f after powertrain control module (pcm) replacement. this dtc indicates that the engine serial number (esn) must be programmed into the pcm. the esn is located on pts > diagn
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2023-08-08 · SSM 51849 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p264f after powertrain control module (pcm) replacement. this dtc indicates that the engine serial number (esn) must be programmed into the pcm. the esn is located on pts> oasis>
Structure 2023-04-04 · SSM 51536 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2000-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. it is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (vin) from a different vehicle. most modules on these affe
Showing the 6 most recent of 31 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-07 · Structure“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.…”
2022-03-22 · Seat Belts · 24,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 fleetwood flair rv built on a 2016 ford f53 chassis. the contact stated that the dealer had repaired the seat belt bolts upon purchasing the rv; however, while her husband was driving approximately 55-65 mph in the mountains with her in the front passenger’s side seat, the front driver's side seat belt detached from the wall…”
2018-07-23 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer · 9,078 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford f-53. while driving in a rain storm, the windshield wipers failed to operate. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who repaired the windshield wipers, but the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to thor motor coach (701 county road 15, elkhart, in 46516) where the contact was not informed of a diagno…”
2018-04-18 · Service Brakes · 2,800 mi“purchased new in august, 2016. one month later we drove our new motorhome southwest into nm and az. at 2735 miles on the odometer in central nm we got two brake system warning lights while traveling west on i-40 at 65 mph. we stopped to inspect system. front brake rotors were extremely hot! front master cylinder chamber spilled out extremely h…”
2017-05-31 · Unknown Or Other“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.…”
2016-09-14 · Structure:body · 270 mi“purchased new. took home from dealer after customer inspection but batteries were dead preventing full operation of amenities. six days after being home, we were going to take the motorhome on a trip. kitchen slide was open since we brought it home. try to retract kitchen slide and it jammed. problem is the room slide is too big for the openin…”
2016-09-11 · Engine · 4,000 mi“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.…”
2016-08-08 · Visibility/Wiper · 3,000 mi“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.…”
2016-07-04 · Power Train · 53 mi“inoperable tow/haul mode. 2016 ford f53 stripped chassis for motorhome construction. newmar bay star sport 2705. the tow/haul mode is a mode that allows utilizing engine and transmission for vehicle deceleration, especially down hill. if the tow/haul mode is operating properly, this dynamic braking can ease the load on the vehicle's brakes. overhea…”
2016-06-26 · Power Train · 1,800 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.