Ford F-53 transmission problems
12 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
117 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
6,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 69 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
12 of 117 complaints match this topic (10.3%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10349663 · 2010-08-16 (August 16, 2010)
VERMILLION FORD, VERMILLION SD REFUSED TO CORRECT DEFECT DESCRIBED UNDER TSB 2-11-03 WHICH CONCERNS FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER, ABS, AND TRANSMISSION SHIFT OPERATION. THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE "TOO BUSY" TO PERFORM REQUIRED REPAIRS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595652 · 2014-06-02 (June 2, 2014)
THE SPEED CONTROL KEPT KICKING THE TRANSMISSION BACK INTO A LOWER GEAR GOING DOWN STATE ROAD 64 TO PATOKA LAKE, WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SO HOT, IT HAD STARTED TO SLIP. I TRIED TO BACK INTO MY CAMP SITE, AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO LEAK OIL ALL OVER THE PAD. AFTER IT COOLED OFF, WE PUT MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE SYSTEM, AND TRIED IT, IT MOVED, BUT STILL WASN'T FEELING RIGHT WHEN IT SHIFTED, I DROVE IT HOME, TO [XXX]AND WHEN I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT BACK UP AT ALL, IT IS NOW PARKED ON THE SIDEWALK IN …
Owner-reported narrative. 44,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10619352 · 2014-08-06 (August 6, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NEWMARK CAYON STAR RV. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A 2008 FORD F-53 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL AFTER DOWN SHIFTING AND APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THAT THE FOUR CALIPERS AND ROTORS, FIVE BRAKE LINES. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE M…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,960 miles reported. Look up ODI 10619352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10819990 · 2016-01-13 (January 13, 2016)
PAGE 32 OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES IN PART, "THE TOW HAUL FEATURE: PROVIDES ENGINE BRAKING IN ALL FORWARD GEARS, WHICH WILL SLOW YOUR VEHICLE AND ASSIST YOU IN CONTROLLING YOUR VEHICLE WHEN DESCENDING A GRADE." I HAVE DESCENDED SEVERAL 8 PERCENT GRADES WITH THE TOW HAUL FEATURE OF MY TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND HAD TO ENGAGE MY BRAKES EXCESSIVELY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT DOWNSHIFT TO PROVIDE ENGINE BRAKING AS DESCRIBED. THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE OR PREMATURE BRAKE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO 2 AUTHORIZED FORD SERVIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10819990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853054 · 2016-04-02 (April 2, 2016)
I HAVE A 2016 THOR MOTORHOME ON A 2016 FORD F53 18000 POUND CHASSIS. THE FORD POWERTRAIN IS EQUIPPED WITH A TOW/HAUL SELECTOR. THE TOW/HAUL MODE IS USED FOR VARIOUS REASONS, ONE OF THEM IS THE CAPABILITY OF AUTOMATICALLY DOWN-SHIFTING WHEN DESCENDING STEEP GRADES AND DURING HARD-STOPS. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH MY 2016 POWERTRAIN, IT SIMPLY ISN'T WORKING AT ALL. NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NORMAL-MODE AND TOW/HAUL MODE. THIS IS "MAJOR" SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DESCENDING GRADES OR PANIC STOPPING AS YOU HAVE ZERO "ENGINE-BREAKING". I HAVE DRIVEN MY NEW MO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853054 at NHTSA ↗