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Vehicle recall · NHTSA · Published November 29, 2017

Ford F-53 2017 Recall: Brake Fluid Leak Risk

Ford recalls 2017 F-53 trucks with potential brake fluid leaks causing longer stopping distances. Owners must have brake system inspected by dealers for missing valve plugs.

🇺🇸 NHTSA recall #17V768000VehicleFord ›
✎ GovInfoNow plain-language explainer

What happened, in plain English

Ford is recalling 2017 F-53 trucks that may have missing valve plugs in the brake system, which could cause brake fluid leaks or air ingestion. This increases stopping distance and crash risk. Affected vehicles need a free inspection by a Ford dealer. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/1225832-ford-f-53-2017-recall-brake-fluid-leak-risk.

Source Summary by GovInfoNow · govinfonow.com/recall/1225832-ford-f-53-2017-recall-brake-fluid-leak-risk · Updated October 7, 2026 · Official notice: NHTSA #17V768000

Cite this page

“Ford F-53 2017 Recall: Brake Fluid Leak Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated October 7, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/1225832-ford-f-53-2017-recall-brake-fluid-leak-risk. Based on NHTSA recall #17V768000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V768000).

Why it’s dangerous

Missing valve block ball plugs in the brake system can cause brake fluid leaks or air ingestion during braking. This leads to longer stopping distances, increasing crash risk when the vehicle needs to stop quickly.

Who’s affected

Owners of 2017 Ford F-53 stripped motorhome chassis and F-59 stripped commercial chassis with ABS brakes are affected. Drivers using these vehicles for commercial or heavy-duty transport face the highest risk.

How to tell if you have this one

Check for 2017 F-53 stripped motorhome chassis or F-59 stripped commercial chassis with ABS brakes. The recall covers vehicles sold between 2017 and the recall start date.

  • Brand
    Ford
  • Category
    Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy

What to do — step by step

  1. Contact Ford Customer Service

    Call 1-866-436-7332 to confirm if your vehicle is affected and schedule a brake inspection.

  2. Have Dealer Inspect Brakes

    Dealers will check for missing valve block ball plugs and replace the HECU if needed at no cost.

Official remedy

What NHTSA says to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for missing valve block ball plugs, replacing the unit as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 22, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S41.

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Where this comes from

The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official NHTSA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.

  • Official source: NHTSA Recall #17V768000 (November 29, 2017)
  • Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on October 7, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the NHTSA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
  • GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official NHTSA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.
GovInfoNow is an independent guide. We are not NHTSA or any government agency. Always confirm details with the official recall.Data: CPSC · FDA · NHTSA · USDA