2011 Ford F-53 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2011 F-53.
- Book a repair at any authorized Ford dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V035000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: FORD'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 12S27.
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2011 Ford F-53 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (4), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Brakes (1), Electrical system (1), Equipment (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
12/23/2016 · Wheels / tires
TIRE BLOWOUT LEFT FRONT DRIVING ON HWY 60 EAST OF SPRINGFIELD MO
12/23/2016 · Wheels / tires
TIRE BLOWOUT INSIDE DUAL WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON I 15 SOUTH OF BUTTE MONTANA SAME MAKE AND BRAND FOR COMPLAINTS 10937260/10937257 SEE DOCS ATTACHED
12/23/2016 · Wheels / tires
LEFT FRONT TIRE INSIDE WALL BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 EAST OF VAIL COLORADO. *TR
09/30/2016 · Brakes
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 ABS SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PR…
09/28/2016 · Transmission / drivetrain · fire
VIOLATIONS OF RECALL LAWS! 49USC30120, 49USC30112, AND 30118. NORTH TRAIL RV IN FORT LAUDERDALE FLORIDA SOLD ME A "NEW" 2011 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER CLASSIC 30T WITH OPEN RECALLS, DATE OF PURCHASE 10/11/2013. ACCORDING TO FORD, THEY NOTIFIED FLEETWOOD OF THE RECALL 12S27, NHTSA 12V035000 IN FEB 2012, FLEETWOOD IGNORED THE "STOP SALE ORDER" AND ALL LETTERS FROM FO…
07/14/2014 · Electrical system
SMELLED HOT OR BURNING PLASTIC AND DISCOVERED BURNED ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH. *TR
08/07/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
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 BE ORDERED. TWO WEEKS WENT BY, WITH NO WORD FROM THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THEM, HE WAS THEN INFORMED THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THERE WAS NO ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL. AFTER…