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2016 Ford F-53
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age — inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
15 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 10, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaint reports have faded — early issues appear resolved or aged out.
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2016 Ford F-53, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint — a rough guide, not a schedule.
Transmission & drivetrain
40%6 complaints
“TOW / HAUL MODE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY ITS ON ALL THE TIME COMING DOWN A GRADE IF YOU LET OFF THE GAS IT STARTS TO DO A HARD DOWNSHIFTING OF THE TRANSMISSION EVEN IF IT…”
Body & structure
13%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-53. The contact stated that upon further inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the chassis body had several fractured weld…”
Visibility & wipers
13%2 complaints
“ATWOOD HEATER COVER VENTS FACING INWARD CAUSING WATER TO SHORT CIRCUITS. COULD CAUSE FIRE AND BURN RV. WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM ARMS FELL APART WHILE IN USE RENDERI G S…”
Brakes
13%2 complaints
“PURCHASED NEW IN AUGUST, 2016. ONE MONTH LATER WE DROVE OUR NEW MOTORHOME SOUTHWEST INTO NM AND AZ. AT 2735 MILES ON THE ODOMETER IN CENTRAL NM WE GOT TWO BRAKE SYSTEM…”
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 · 15V611000
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.
Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S25.
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–$250 independent inspection of this exact 2016 Ford F-53 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2016? See how every F-53 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2016 Ford F-53 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.