2014 Ford F-53

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Ford F-53 has 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is body/structure problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: upper mounting bolt on front left (driver side) shock absorber was completely loose. *tr. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BODY/STRUCTURE

7 complaints

27%

• UPPER MOUNTING BOLT ON FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SHOCK ABSORBER WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE. *TR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-53. WHILE THE MOTOR COACH WAS PARKED, TWO OF THE SLIDES, AWNINGS, STAIRS, AND THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEATS FAILED TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURES RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE AWNING AND STAI
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“UPPER MOUNTING BOLT ON FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SHOCK ABSORBER WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

3 complaints

12%

• UPPER MOUNTING BOLT ON FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SHOCK ABSORBER WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE. *TR
• 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.
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“UPPER MOUNTING BOLT ON FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SHOCK ABSORBER WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

3 complaints

12%

• 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.
• 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 TRU
• 2014 FORD F-53. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD *CN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

2 complaints

• 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
• INADEQUATE LIGHT FROM HEADLIGHT VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT ! BARELY SEE 5 FT IN FRONT AT NIGHT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DOORS/LATCHES

2 complaints

• 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, T
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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, T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

DOORS/LATCHES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 26 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: UPPER MOUNTING BOLT ON FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SHOCK ABSORBER WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: UPPER MOUNTING BOLT ON FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) SHOCK ABSORBER WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)