2021 Ford F53 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (1) · Steering (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F53 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Suspension:rear 2022-09-30 · campaign 22V731000 · 13,455 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (41)
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 2026-06-19 · TSB 26-2256 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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-en
Engine 2026-03-20 · SSM 54678 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 tha
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
Power Train 2025-11-26 · TSB 25-2572 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 25-2322 to update the service procedure, labor operations and parts list. 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 rough engine performance, engine misfire
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-10 · SSM 54363 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2025 expedition/navigator/f-150/f-super duty/f-53 motorhome/f59 commercial stripped chassis/f-650/f-750/transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7l/3.5l (non hybrid)/6.8l/7.3l engine and 2021-2026 e-series may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise from the bellhousing area on start-up. workshop manual
Power Train 2025-10-29 · SSM 54338 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2025 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 2021-2026 e-series/f-650/f-750 vehicles equipped with a 7.3l engine may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise upon startup tha
Showing the 6 most recent of 41 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-12-18 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 2,981 mi“the contact owns a 2021 ford f53. the contact stated while driving 70 mph, the electronic braking system independently engaged, causing all the rear tires to shake without warning. the contact pulled off to the shoulder of the highway with white-colored smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. the contact called for assistance, but the contac…”
2023-08-28 · Suspension“the contact owns a 2021 ford f53. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v731000 (suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. several local dealers were contacted, and the contact was informed that an appointment to repair the vehicle was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted and c…”
2023-06-28 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch“the contact owns a 2021 ford f53. the contact stated that the automatic headlight switch failed to turn on. the contact was unable to view the instrument cluster. the contact had to utilize the windshield wipers for the automatic headlights to operate as needed. the contact covered the electric eye while activating the headlights. the contact calle…”
2022-06-02 · Electrical System · 2,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 ford f53. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, several unknown warning lights illuminated. the contact stated that he had not experienced any failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact stated that neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage …”
2022-02-11 · Steering“advance trac light comes on. loosing cc/sway/hill hold…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.