BestCarRank
Ford

2017 Ford F-53

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2017 Ford F-53 has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 9. The most common issue is wheels problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2017 ford f53 (thor hurricane motor coach) (na). while driving various speeds, the vehicle swayed all across the road and the contact could not control the vehicle. in addition, the contact stated that the wheels and tires were the incorrect size for the manufacturer of the ve. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

6

Total Complaints

1

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

WHEELS

1 complaints
17%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F53 (THOR HURRICANE MOTOR COACH) (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SWAYED ALL ACROSS THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS AND TIRES WERE THE INCORRECT SIZE FOR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F53 (THOR HURRICANE MOTOR COACH) (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SWAYED ALL ACROSS THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS AND TIRES WERE THE INCORRECT SIZE FOR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VE

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP29/11/2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-53 stripped motorhome chassis and F-59 stripped commercial chassis, equipped with Antilock Brake Systems (ABS). The brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) on these vehicles may be missing valve block ball plugs, potentially causing a brake fluid leak or air ingestion during electronic brake distribution and/or ABS activation.

Risk: A brake fluid leak or air ingestion can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for missing valve block ball plugs, replacing the unit as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 22, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S41.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Ford F-53

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,607
Full coverage / month
$134
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-4%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1607

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford F-53 Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
20K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2017 F-53, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F53 (THOR HURRICANE MOTOR COACH) (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SWAYED ALL ACROSS THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS AND TIRES WERE THE INCORRECT SIZE FOR THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V768000 (SERVICE BRAKES); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTIC

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • VISIBILITY: 2017 FORD SUPER DUTY DRW F53. CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING MOTORIZED WINDSHIELD SHADE ON RV. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE WINDSHIELD SHADE WOULD NOT RISE OR LOWER. THE SHADE WOULD DROP DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECU

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SHADES FAILED TO RETRACT BACK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. GENERAL RV CENTER (13150 SW 16TH AVE, OCALA, FL 34473, (352) 653-1900) REPAIRED THE SHADE MOTOR, BUT THE FAILURE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
6
Recalls
1
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
9

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2017 Ford F-53