Total Complaints
26 filings
FORD F-53 · model year
26 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2014FORDF-53 carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2014 F-53 is structure:body with 6 filings, followed by suspension (3) and wheels (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2014 F-53, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
26 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 6 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 F-53 motorhome chassis and F-59 commercial chassis manufactured February 14, 2014, to March 7, 2014. The affected chassis may have incorrectly machined brake calipers that may leak brake fluid.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD F53 THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INCREASED TO HIGH SPEED BUT, SEIZED IN THE UPWARD POSITION AND THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A UNKNOWN OBJECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LAZYDAYS RV OF TAMPA 6130 LAZY DAYS BLVD, SEFFNER, FL 33584 (800) 306-4002 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED .THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
Mileage: 29,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 FORD F53 THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INCREASED TO HIGH SPEED BUT, SEIZED IN THE UPWARD POSITION AND THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A UNKNOWN OBJECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LAZYDAYS RV OF TAMPA 6130 LAZY DAYS BLVD, SEFFNER, FL 33584 (800) 306-4002 BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED .THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
Mileage: 29,000
WIPERS TRAVEL TOO FAR AND CATCH ON DRIVERS MIRROR (DRIVERS SIDE) AND ON PASSENGERS SIDE, OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD BELOW THE RUBBER GASKET AND HANGS ON GASKET. WHILE IN USE, I MUST EITHER STOP, OR TURN THE WIPERS OFF AFTER ONE SWEEP. I CALLED THOR OWNERS HELPLINE SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO HELP. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY (3/11/2019) AND TALKED TO KIRK. AGAIN NO HELP. *DT *DT *DT*JB *BF... CONSUMER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER (4/17/19)*JB *DT CONSUMER STATED WIPER ISSUE IS COMPLETELT RESOLVED.*JB
Mileage: 15,500
THE ENTRY DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MULTIPLE TIMES HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL ON LATER MODEL YEARS, BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHY?? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND CERTAINLY ONE THAT EXISTS IN PRIOR YEARS. *TT *TR
Mileage: 10,000
THE ENTRY DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MULTIPLE TIMES HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A RECALL ON LATER MODEL YEARS, BUT THIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. WHY?? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND CERTAINLY ONE THAT EXISTS IN PRIOR YEARS. *TT *TR
Mileage: 10,000
ENTRY DOOR POPS OPEN IN MOTION *TT *TR
Mileage: 16,000
2014 FORD F-53. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD *CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEADBOLT LOCK ON THE ENTRY DOOR WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEPS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF SACRAMENTO (1039 ORLANDO AVE, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (916) 772-1155), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V510000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND 15V866000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Mileage: 17,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEADBOLT LOCK ON THE ENTRY DOOR WOULD LOCK INDEPENDENTLY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEPS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF SACRAMENTO (1039 ORLANDO AVE, ROSEVILLE, CA 95661, (916) 772-1155), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V510000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND 15V866000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Mileage: 17,000
INADEQUATE LIGHT FROM HEADLIGHT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT ! BARELY SEE 5 FT IN FRONT AT NIGHT
Mileage: 8,000
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO LIGHT UP THE ROAD. HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAM AT NIGHT. LEG LIGHTS LIKE THESE JUST DISAPPEAR OUT IN THE DARK, IS NOT BEAMED AT ALL. CANNOT SEE THE ROAD, PERIOD. CONTACTED FR BUT THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LIGHT FIXTURE ARE ALSO LOOSE AND HARD TO TIGHTEN BACK UP. THE FORD F53 CHASSIS IS A 2014 MAKE. SUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD IN THE FRONT. 3 TIMES REPLACED BEARINGS AND SPINDLE. ON WARRANTY BUT THERE IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH SUSPENSION AND IT MAKES THE FRONT VIBRATE. SO MUCH SO THAT THE OVERHEAD BED HAS FALLEN DOWN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY A WOODEN BRACE. DASHBOARD VIBRATE AS WELL. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. BAD ROADS MAKES IT WORSE.
Mileage: 6,400
HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO LIGHT UP THE ROAD. HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAM AT NIGHT. LEG LIGHTS LIKE THESE JUST DISAPPEAR OUT IN THE DARK, IS NOT BEAMED AT ALL. CANNOT SEE THE ROAD, PERIOD. CONTACTED FR BUT THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. LIGHT FIXTURE ARE ALSO LOOSE AND HARD TO TIGHTEN BACK UP. THE FORD F53 CHASSIS IS A 2014 MAKE. SUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD IN THE FRONT. 3 TIMES REPLACED BEARINGS AND SPINDLE. ON WARRANTY BUT THERE IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH SUSPENSION AND IT MAKES THE FRONT VIBRATE. SO MUCH SO THAT THE OVERHEAD BED HAS FALLEN DOWN SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS TO BE SUPPORTED BY A WOODEN BRACE. DASHBOARD VIBRATE AS WELL. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING. BAD ROADS MAKES IT WORSE.
Mileage: 6,400
THOR ACE MOTOR HOME IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ONAN GENERATOR AND GENERATOR OVERHEATS WHILE DRIVING. GENERATOR NECESSARY TO RUN AIR CONDITIONER TO COOL INTERIOR OF RV DURING IN WARMER MONTHS. GENERATOR WORKS FINE WHEN NOT TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY, BUT CUTS OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING WITHIN MINUTES OF DRIVING IN HOTTER WEATHER. WITHOUT COOLING INTERIOR OF MOTOR HOME BECOMES VERY HOT.
Mileage: 14,500
FOUND THE RIGHT REAR LOWER SWAY BAR MOUNT BOLT MISSING AND THE MOUNT BENT UPWARD, CAUSING THE SWAY BAR TO BECOME INEFFECTIVE AND THE BODY LEANING 3" LOWER ON THE RIGHT SIDE THAN THE LEFT SIDE. HANDLING WAS ALSO AFFECTED DRASTICALLY, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL SIMILAR TO A FLAT TIRE.
Mileage: 12,400
AN ALMOST NEW 2014 NEWMAR BAY STAR 3303 MOTORHOME WITH A FORD V10 GASOLINE ENGINE ON A FORD CHASSIS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE ON OUR FIRST BIG FAMILY OUTING IN OUR NEW RV. AT THE LAST MINUTE WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE A GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. UPON VACATING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WAS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPES UNDER THE RV. THE RV WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK GARAGE. FORD TECHS DISCOVERED GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE WAS SQUIRTING ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST AND WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING ON OUR VACATION THE GAS FUMES WOULD HAVE IGNITED AND EXPLODED. THE FIRE WOULD NOW HAVE BE FUELED BY GAS FROM A MELTED HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC GASOLINE LINE. THEN, AS A RV WITH THE ENGINE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS, THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ANYONE FROM EXITING THROUGH THE DOOR. THE GASOLINE FUELED FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY. FORD HAS NO REPAIR FOR THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THEIR HIGH PRESSURE
Mileage: 2,900
AN ALMOST NEW 2014 NEWMAR BAY STAR 3303 MOTORHOME WITH A FORD V10 GASOLINE ENGINE ON A FORD CHASSIS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE ON OUR FIRST BIG FAMILY OUTING IN OUR NEW RV. AT THE LAST MINUTE WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE A GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. UPON VACATING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WAS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPES UNDER THE RV. THE RV WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK GARAGE. FORD TECHS DISCOVERED GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE WAS SQUIRTING ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST AND WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING ON OUR VACATION THE GAS FUMES WOULD HAVE IGNITED AND EXPLODED. THE FIRE WOULD NOW HAVE BE FUELED BY GAS FROM A MELTED HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC GASOLINE LINE. THEN, AS A RV WITH THE ENGINE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS, THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ANYONE FROM EXITING THROUGH THE DOOR. THE GASOLINE FUELED FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY. FORD HAS NO REPAIR FOR THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THEIR HIGH PRESSURE
Mileage: 2,900
AN ALMOST NEW 2014 NEWMAR BAY STAR 3303 MOTORHOME WITH A FORD V10 GASOLINE ENGINE ON A FORD CHASSIS. MY FAMILY AND I WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE ON OUR FIRST BIG FAMILY OUTING IN OUR NEW RV. AT THE LAST MINUTE WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE A GASOLINE ODOR WAS NOTICED. UPON VACATING THE VEHICLE, GASOLINE WAS SEEN DRIPPING FROM THE HOT EXHAUST PIPES UNDER THE RV. THE RV WAS SHUT OFF AND TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK GARAGE. FORD TECHS DISCOVERED GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE WAS SQUIRTING ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST AND WITHIN MINUTES OF LEAVING ON OUR VACATION THE GAS FUMES WOULD HAVE IGNITED AND EXPLODED. THE FIRE WOULD NOW HAVE BE FUELED BY GAS FROM A MELTED HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC GASOLINE LINE. THEN, AS A RV WITH THE ENGINE LOCATED BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS, THE FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ANYONE FROM EXITING THROUGH THE DOOR. THE GASOLINE FUELED FIRE AND EXPLOSION WOULD HAVE INJURED OR KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY. FORD HAS NO REPAIR FOR THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THEIR HIGH PRESSURE
Mileage: 2,900
THIS VEHICLE IS AN RV. THE LATCH TO THE ONLY REGULAR EXIT DOOR IS ATTACHED BY A VERY SMALL PIECE OF CAST METAL. THE SPRING IS QUITE STRONG AND WHILE OPENING THE EXIT DOOR, THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS MADE EXIT FROM THE DOOR IMPOSSIBLE. THE ONLY EXIT WAS OUT THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME AND I AM FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO CLIMB THROUGH THE WINDOW, SO THIS WAS NOT A HUGE ISSUE. HAD THERE BEEN AN ISSUE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, A WINDOW WOULD HAVE HAD TO BE SMASHED TO EXIT.
Mileage: 3,000
DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 1549 MILES WHILE DRIVING 60MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON I65 NEAR THE TENNESSEE / ALABAMA BORDER. THIS OCCURRED ON 27MARCH2016. DAMAGED THE SPINDLE, HUB, BRAKE PADS, CAPS. TOWED TO MID-TENN FORD IN NASHVILLE WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.
Mileage: 1,549
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AT 1800 MILES WHILE MERGING ONTO I65 AT 60MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON I65 NEAR THE INDIANA / KENTUCKY BORDER. THIS OCCURRED ON 03APRIL2016. DAMAGE REQUIRED NEW WHEEL BEARING, SPINDLE, KING PIN, BRAKE PADS, HUB ASSEMBLY AND ROTOR. DELIVERED TO ANDY MOHR TRUCK CENTER IN INDIANAPOLIS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.
Mileage: 1,800
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.