Home · 2011 · Ford
2011 Ford F53
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
7 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 17, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 7 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA hasn’t published a crash-test rating for this model year. That’s common for lower-volume or older models. It doesn’t mean the car is unsafe, just that this program hasn’t tested it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2011 Ford F53, plotted where owners report it happening.
Wheels
43%3 complaints
“TIRE BLOWOUT LEFT FRONT DRIVING ON HWY 60 EAST OF SPRINGFIELD MO”
Transmission & drivetrain
29%2 complaints
“2011 FORD MOTORHOME CHASSIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 12S27 CONCERNING A MOTOR DEFECT *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PART HAD TO …”
Tires
14%1 complaints
“LEFT FRONT TIRE INSIDE WALL BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 EAST OF VAIL COLORADO. *TR”
Brakes
14%1 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-53. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 TO 55 MPH, THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE …”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Power Train · 12V035000
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-53 AND F-59 STRIPPED CHASSIS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2010 THROUGH JULY 1, 2011 AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 F-53 AND F-59 STRIPPED CHASSIS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 10, 2011 THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2011. THE PRNDL CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE PRNDL DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.
Risk: AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM KNOWING IF THEY ARE IN PARK OR REVERSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE PRNDL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2011 Ford F53 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2011? See how every F53 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2011 Ford F53 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.