Total Complaints
7 filings
FORD F53 · model year
2018 FORD F53
7 NHTSA complaints, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018FORDF53 carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2018 F53 is structure:body with 2 filings, followed by steering (1) and wheels (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 179 investigation files overlapping the 2018 F53, and 6 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
7
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
Recalls (1)
18V47000016/07/2018
WHEELS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F53 stripped chassis vehicles equipped with 22.5 inch front wheels. The front wheel hub assembly may have wheel studs that were not properly heat treated.
Recent Complaints
20210719STRUCTURE:BODY
The contact owns a 2019 Jayco Alante manufactured on a 2015 Ford F53 chassis. The contact stated while driving 28 mph, the front grill detached from the RV inadvertently. The contact took the RV to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the grill to be replaced however, the dealer did not provide the service at their location. The dealer referred the contact to a body shop for the repair. The RV was not yet repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,376.
Mileage: 7,376
20210511FireSTRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F53. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ROOF STARTED TO LEAK CAUSING WATER TO GET INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INVERTER UNIT SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR HEATING UNITS AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY OVERHEAT BURNING THE CONTACTS FEET. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SORE FOOT BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
20210511FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD F53. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ROOF STARTED TO LEAK CAUSING WATER TO GET INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INVERTER UNIT SHORTED OUT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR HEATING UNITS AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY OVERHEAT BURNING THE CONTACTS FEET. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SORE FOOT BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
20201117POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 54000 MILES DUE TO INTERNAL DEFECTIVE PART. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JUMP ON SHIFTING FROM 1 ST GEAR TO 2 ND .
20201117SUSPENSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 54000 MILES DUE TO INTERNAL DEFECTIVE PART. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JUMP ON SHIFTING FROM 1 ST GEAR TO 2 ND .
20190402WHEELS
VEHICLE SOLD AS NEW TO ME BY GIANT RV WITH A 15 YEAR OLD TIRE INSTALLED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THIS WAS A MISMATCH, OFF BRAND "EXPIRED" TIRE THAT CAUSED A BLOW OUT REQUIRING REPAIRS AND CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY OF RISK. THIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE ISSUE OR PROVIDER NECESSARY BACKGROUND AS TO THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS TIRE WAS IMPROPERLY REPLACED. CONCERN BEING THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A NON DISCLOSED VEHICLE EVENT (ACCIDENT ETC.) THAT CAUSED DAMAGES WHICH WERE IMPROPERLY AND UNSAFELY REPAIRED WITHOUT PROPER DISCLOSURE. CONCERN BEING THAT THERE MAY BE OTHER HIDDEN ISSUES WHICH MAY CONTINUE TO PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK. WHEN ASKED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (THOR) PLACE BLAME WITH FORD AS THE CHASSIS MANUFACTURER. I DO NOT BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY STORES AND INSTALLS 15 YEAR OLD TIRES ON BRAND NEW CHASSIS. I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN EVENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TRANSPORTED BY GIANT RV FROM THOR'S MANUFACTURING CENTER TO THEIR DEALERSHIP IN CALI
Mileage: 3,100
20180716STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JAYCO 31Z. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE STEERING WAS UNSTABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (ALBANY RV, 48 RENSSELAER AVE, LATHAM, NY 12110, (518) 459-4695), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALBANY RV REFERRED THE CONTACT TO ANOTHER UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 781.
Mileage: 781
Compare 2018FORDF53 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 6 Open
EA26004Engineering AnalysisOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP26004Defect PetitionOpen
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionClosed
Underbody shields detachment
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2018 FORD F53 have?▼
The 2018 FORD F53 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 FORD F53?▼
Yes, the 2018 FORD F53 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 FORD F53?▼
The most-complained component for the 2018 FORD F53 is STRUCTURE:BODY with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and WHEELS.
Is the 2018 FORD F53 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2018 FORD F53; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.