Most common 2016 Ford F-53 problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford F-53 complaints by model year
Best F-53 years: 2022. Years to avoid: 2014, 2020, 2016. Compare all years →
2016 Ford F-53 recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis trucks manufactured June 1, 2015, to August 11, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015.
What 2016 Ford F-53 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
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 motorhome about 1000 miles since purchasing in February 2016. When exiting off the interstate for fuel stops or rest areas I had to really apply the chassis brakes much harder then "normal" due to no engine-breaking. This is a dangerous situation and according to social media as well as other public forums, irv2, thor forums, etc. …
Inoperable tow/haul mode. 2016 Ford f53 stripped chassis for motorhome construction. Newmar bay star sport 2705. The tow/haul mode is a mode that allows utilizing engine and transmission for vehicle deceleration, especially down hill. If the tow/haul mode is operating properly, this dynamic braking can ease the load on the vehicle's brakes. Overheated brakes can result if the tow/haul is inoperable. Overheated brakes is most definitely a safety issue. The tow/haul mode has been made operational from a third party vendor, so it is fixable by software alone. Unfortunately, the 3rd party cost is in the range of $500. This is an issue that the OEM of the powertrain (Ford) can and should fix as soon as possible. It has been inoperable since the day of purchase (1-15-2016).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Ford F-53 a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 F-53 rates use caution: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the F-53 at the same age. It is one of the F-53 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford F-53?
The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (2) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2016 Ford F-53 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Ford F-53, the most recent from September 30, 2015 (automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford F-53?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2020 and 2016. See the full Ford F-53 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-53 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 3,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.