2016 Ford F-53 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 40%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Ford F-53, 40% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,900 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2016itasca motorhome on a 2016 Ford F53 26000 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 acts no different when in tow/haul or not.this is a dangerous conditon on decending hills. Brakes could fail due to overheating.”
NHTSA complaint #10873425, filed 2016-06, 3,000 miles“My 2016 thor hurricane motor home with the Ford F53 18k chassis has a tow-haul mode in the transmission. According to all Ford publications, including the owner's manual, when in the tow-haul mode the transmission should downshift each time the brakes are applied. This does not happen on my unit and numerous other units with the 16k and 18k gvwr chassis. I base this on numerous comments on the irv2 forum. This is a dangerous condition in hilly/mountainous terrain where long and steep down grades are encountered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10876020, filed 2016-06, 2,000 miles“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 . …”
NHTSA complaint #10853054, filed 2016-04, 1,400 miles“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 its not necessary its not the way it was designed to work there is a button to turn on or off that does not function.”
NHTSA complaint #10876692, filed 2016-06, 1,800 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10882452, filed 2016-07, 53 milesRelated recalls
- 15V611000Sep 30, 2015Ford 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…Covers: Ford F-53 2016, F-59 2016
Related service bulletins
- 10241626Aug 10, 2023Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement…
- 10241547Aug 8, 2023Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement…
- 10160931May 10, 2019On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was…
- 10155574Feb 22, 2019Various 2013-2019 vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P264F after powertrain control module (PCM) replacement…
- 10137150Apr 9, 2018Certain 2018 Model Year Escape and MKC Vehicles - Transmission Bell Housing Bolt TorqueCertain 2012-2016 Model Year F-450 ? F-750 and F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis Vehicles…
- 10127405Nov 2, 2017Some vehicles may exhibit a no start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement. This may be due to the parameter reset…
- 10099463Mar 14, 20172009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6r80, 6r100, 6r140 automatic transmission have an updated main control valve body overhaul procedure. Refer to workshop manual (wsm), section…
- 10092368Aug 15, 2016Some 2016-2017 f-53 motorhome chassis and f-59 commercial stripped chassis vehicles equipped with a 6.8l engine and built on or before 6/20/2016 may exhibit a no transmission…
- 10091137Jun 14, 20162016-2017 f-53/f-59 - 6.8l engine with gvwr 14,001 lb and through 19,500 lb - no transmission downshift on downhill in tow haul mode
- 10058625Jul 1, 2015Ford: some vehicles transmission will experience, after a cold soak or an extended period with engine off, a 2-3 shift hesitation due to possible hydraulic circuit drain. Model…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Ford F-53
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford F-53
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology