Total Complaints
30 filings
FORD F53 · model year
30 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2020FORDF53 carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 2020 F53 is suspension with 11 filings, followed by power train (5) and steering (2). 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 2020 F53, 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
30 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 11 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| PARKING BRAKE | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Loud thumping while turning was the symptom. The front chassis frame crossmember rivets were loose (Other marked above = chassis). The same area that the front leaf springs and steering were connected to the frame. This also cause the sector shaft in the steering box to get loose and have excessive play (over 1/4 inch). If this were to fail completely, the steering would no longer be functional causing a catastrophic failure and accident. The dealer did not diagnose the problem properly and tried to say it was the motorhome manufacturer who caused the problem. Please note that none of the parts involved in the fix for the problem had anything to do with the motorhome. When escalated to Ford customer service, they chose not to have the vehicle inspected by their corporate staff instead entirely relying on the mechanics initial assessment (Denial letter from Ford available as an additional file). When taken to another repair shop, they found the specific problem with the frame and
Loud thumping while turning was the symptom. The front chassis frame crossmember rivets were loose (Other marked above = chassis). The same area that the front leaf springs and steering were connected to the frame. This also cause the sector shaft in the steering box to get loose and have excessive play (over 1/4 inch). If this were to fail completely, the steering would no longer be functional causing a catastrophic failure and accident. The dealer did not diagnose the problem properly and tried to say it was the motorhome manufacturer who caused the problem. Please note that none of the parts involved in the fix for the problem had anything to do with the motorhome. When escalated to Ford customer service, they chose not to have the vehicle inspected by their corporate staff instead entirely relying on the mechanics initial assessment (Denial letter from Ford available as an additional file). When taken to another repair shop, they found the specific problem with the frame and
Loud thumping while turning was the symptom. The front chassis frame crossmember rivets were loose (Other marked above = chassis). The same area that the front leaf springs and steering were connected to the frame. This also cause the sector shaft in the steering box to get loose and have excessive play (over 1/4 inch). If this were to fail completely, the steering would no longer be functional causing a catastrophic failure and accident. The dealer did not diagnose the problem properly and tried to say it was the motorhome manufacturer who caused the problem. Please note that none of the parts involved in the fix for the problem had anything to do with the motorhome. When escalated to Ford customer service, they chose not to have the vehicle inspected by their corporate staff instead entirely relying on the mechanics initial assessment (Denial letter from Ford available as an additional file). When taken to another repair shop, they found the specific problem with the frame and
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-53. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: Â 22V731000 (Suspension), however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
coach battery wiring drain repaired at lazy days 50 miles . Adapter on power steering\power breaks leaking at 300 miles. ford could not get hose and adapter parts. auto zone got parts fixed myself. Left rear sway bar attachment bracket missing one bolt and bushing at7000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . Right rear sway bar attachment bracket bushing worn out at 13000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . 13500 miles had to replace all 4 standard ford shocks to fix steering and ride ,tail swing .
coach battery wiring drain repaired at lazy days 50 miles . Adapter on power steering\power breaks leaking at 300 miles. ford could not get hose and adapter parts. auto zone got parts fixed myself. Left rear sway bar attachment bracket missing one bolt and bushing at7000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . Right rear sway bar attachment bracket bushing worn out at 13000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . 13500 miles had to replace all 4 standard ford shocks to fix steering and ride ,tail swing .
coach battery wiring drain repaired at lazy days 50 miles . Adapter on power steering\power breaks leaking at 300 miles. ford could not get hose and adapter parts. auto zone got parts fixed myself. Left rear sway bar attachment bracket missing one bolt and bushing at7000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . Right rear sway bar attachment bracket bushing worn out at 13000 miles knippen truck rv repair replaced bolts, cap, bushing . 13500 miles had to replace all 4 standard ford shocks to fix steering and ride ,tail swing .
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V731000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the rear stabilizer bar had detached. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was told that the remedy would not be available until the 4th quarter of 2023.The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Mileage: 10,000
had to replace left rear sway bar bushing broken bolt 7000miles. replaced right rear bushing and bolts 13000 miles parts discarded. had to replace all 4 shocks 13500 miles causing bad handling stock ford shocks lost rebound repairs found at oil change at kinnpin dogde in town as it is hard to find a ford dealer that will work on rv's or even oil changes
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The abs light, and the traction control light stays on. When illuminated there is no hill start assist available, no abs braking, no traction control, nor cruise control.
The abs light, and the traction control light stays on. When illuminated there is no hill start assist available, no abs braking, no traction control, nor cruise control.
The abs light, and the traction control light stays on. When illuminated there is no hill start assist available, no abs braking, no traction control, nor cruise control.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2020 FORD F53. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR AXLE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO DEALERS WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE WILLING TO PERFORM THE SAFETY RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F53. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V202000 (Suspension, Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2020 FORD MOTORHOME CHASSIS(F53). The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the battery warning light had illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was informed by the dealer that the warning light would correct itself within 10-15 miles; the warning light remained illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the manufacturer had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that his alternator was defective and needed to be replaced; however, each alternator that had been sent to repair the vehicle was defective. The contact also discovered that his vehicle was included NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V202000(SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN) and that the parts for the repair were unavailable. The vehicle had remained in the possession of the dealer and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 950.
Mileage: 950
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.