Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 1996 Ford F-53, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Ford F-53 year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model. Naming may differ, or it predates EPA records.
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: FORD IS RECALLING 225,000 MY 1992-2003 ECONOLINE, MY 1993-1995 TAURUS SHO, MY 1992-1998 CROWN VICTORIA, MY 1993 BRONCO, F-SERIES, MY 1995-1997 F-SERIES SUPER DUTY STRIPPED CHASSIS, MY 1992-1998 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS, AND MY 1992-1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED USING A WIRING HARNESS THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE VEHICLE CIRCUIT POLARITY.
Risk: AS A RESULT, THE FUSE IS LOCATED IN THE OUTPUT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN IN THE INTENDED INPUT POWER FEED CIRCUIT, AND MAY NOT OFFER THE INTENDED PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS, OR REPLACE THE MATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 08V051000
Issue: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Campaign 07V336000
NHTSA has no NCAP crash-test rating for this model year, which is common for older, low-volume and heavy-duty vehicles.
The parts named most often across 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR UPON DEPRESSING AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO YEARS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 09/17/15*LJ UPDATED 12/13/2017*CN
WHIRRING NOISE FROM FUEL PUMP AS DESCRIBED IN FORD TECHNICAL BULLETIN AND LOSS OF SENDING UNIT SIGNAL TO FUEL GAUGE. PARTS DEPT AND SERVISOR FOR LOCAL FORD DEALER ADMIT SEVERAL UNITS REPLACED USING SPECIFIED FIELD REVISION PARTS SEPARATING FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT USING NEW DESIGN JUMPER HARNESS. NOT COVERED BY ANY KNOWN RECALL. COST TO UNFORTUNATE CONSUMER, $371.80 FOR PARTS PLUS $75.00 PER HOUR WITH NO TIME ESTIMATE. ANY MALFUNCTION IN THE FULE TANK AND DELIVERY SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE GAUGING SYSTEM POWERED BY ELECTRICITY IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AS I SEE IT AS A FORMER OSHA ASSOCIATE (WITH MY FORMER EMPLOYER, BEFORE RETIREMENT).*AK