2013 Ford F-53: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
17,150 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 37.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 |
Service Brakes: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Visibility:Windshield: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10721785 · 2015-05-27 (May 27, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 WINNEBAGO ITASCA SUNSTAR RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2013 FORD F-53 SD CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE TOW HAUL CONTROL BUTTON WAS ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789718 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE MOTOR HOME ARE INADEQUATE FOR NIGHT DRIVING. THEY ARE DANGEROUS CAUSING THE NEED TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS WHICH IS NOT IDEAL. THE DAYTIME DRIVING LIGHTS ON MY CAR DO A BETTER JOB. THE ARE SOME SORT OF CHEAP AFTERMARKET LIGHTS THAT CAN'T BE DOT APPROVED. *DT CONSUMER NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11002229 · 2017-07-10 (July 10, 2017)
2014 FOREST RIVER FR3. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELECTRIC DOUBLE STEP RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *LD UPDATED 07/10/2017*JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11002229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11021254 · 2017-09-03 (September 3, 2017)
THE REAR STABILIZER BAR (ALSO CALLED AN ANTI-SWAY BAR) BRACKET BOLTS CAME LOOSE. THE UNIT HAD UNDER 5,000 MILES ON IT. I TORQUED THE BOLTS AND THEY CAME LOOSE AGAIN AFTER ANOTHER FEW THOUSAND MILES. I WAS A CERTIFIED ASE TECHNICIAN AND ALSO AN AUTOMOTIVE INSTRUCTOR FOR 35 YEARS (RETIRED) AND EVENTUALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH LOCK TIGHT ON THE BOLT THREADS. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON THE F-53 RV CHASSIS. BECAUSE THE BOLTS WERE JUST LOOSE NO DRIVING ISSUES WERE NOTICED. MANY HAVE REPORTED TO ME ABOUT MISSING BOLTS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11021254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11021463 · 2017-09-05 (September 5, 2017)
MOTOR HOME WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MAY OF 2013. WHILE DRIVING THIS SUMMER I NOTICED MORE SWAY/ROLL THAN USUAL, SO I RESEARCHED 'FORD F53 CHASSIS- HANDLING ISSUES'. I FOUND THAT A LOT OF OWNERS REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE BRACKETS ON THE REAR SWAY BARS. SOME HAD LOOSE OR MISSING BOLTS, LOOSE OR BENT OR MISSING BRACKETS ( EITHER SIDE). I WANTED TO SEE IF THIS COULD BE THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING WITH THE NOTICEABLE INCREASE SWAY/ROLL, SO I CRAWLED UNDER RIG TO INSPECT THE BRACKETS ON JULY 3RD, 2017. I FOUND THE SWAY BAR BRACKET ON DRIVERS SIDE, …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11021463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11099011 · 2018-05-31 (May 31, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FIBER GLASS WAS SEPARATING FROM THE MOTOR HOME. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GLUE BETWEEN THE FIBER GLASS AND METAL WAS PEELING AND CAUSED THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11099011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11101328 · 2018-06-12 (June 12, 2018)
HEADLIGHTS WILL ONLY ILLUMINATE THE HIGHWAY A SHORT DISTANCE AHEAD (50-60 FT) OF THE VEHICLE. CANNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT. ALSO, THE BRAKES TO NOT SEEM TO BE ADEQUATE. *DT CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11101328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493183 · 2022-11-11 (November 11, 2022)
Brakelines are rusted and I am afraid they will rust through and cause brake failure. Looked at a 2017 model and the brakelines look to be coated to prevent this from happening.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493183 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
12V422000 · Steering
Reported: 2012-08-29 (August 29, 2012)
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 F-53 motorhome stripped chassis vehicles manufactured from July 10, 2012 through July 13, 2012. Theses vehicles were assembled with incorrect steering gear adapter plate retention fasteners. Steering gear adapter plate fasteners could lead to torque loss in the steering gear attachment, potentionally leading to loosening and subsequent separation of the stearing gear over time.
Consequence: Separation of the steering gear may lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear adapter plate retention fasteners, free of charge. The safety recall was completed on September 7, 2012. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗