The 2013 Ford F-53 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 31 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING12V4220002012-08-2931 affected
Defect
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…
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
SUSPENSION
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
1
Total complaints10
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“2014 forest river fr3. Consumer requests reimbursement for electric double step recall notice repairs. *ld updated 07/10/2017*js”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 Ford F-53 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.