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Ford F53 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Ford F53 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
33
Years to Avoid
2020, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
Best Years
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 1997, 1996, 1995
2021
7 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
2020Avoid
30 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
2019
5 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
2018
7 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2017Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2016Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2015Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2014Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2013Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2012Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2011Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2010Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2009Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2008Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003
4 complaints0 recalls8 TSBs
2002Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls14 TSBs
2001Avoid
6 complaints1 recalls22 TSBs
2000Avoid
3 complaints1 recalls25 TSBs
1999Avoid
18 complaints2 recalls1 invest.26 TSBs
1998
1 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994
0 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
1993
0 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1992
3 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1991
2 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1990
3 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1989
0 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Ford F53 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2020, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 Ford F53 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Ford F53, consider the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 1997, 1996, 1995 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

33 model years analyzed