Use cautionVehicle recall · NHTSA · Published March 24, 2021
Ford F-53 (2020) Suspension Recall: Risk of Crash from Axle Failure
Ford is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-53 and F-59 commercial trucks due to potential rear axle failure causing loss of power, parking brake issues, and transmission problems. Owners must have rear wheel bearings inspected and replaced free of charge.
Failure of the rear axle or driveshaft may cause the loss of motive power, failure of the parking brake, and the inability to shift the transmission into "PARK," increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford is recalling specific 2020-2021 F-53 and F-59 commercial trucks because worn rear axle lubricant could cause wheel bearing failure, leading to loss of power, parking brake issues, and transmission problems. This increases crash risk if the vehicle is used without repairs. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/79484-ford-f-53-2020-suspension-recall-risk-of-crash-from.
“Ford F-53 (2020) Suspension Recall: Risk of Crash from Axle Failure.” GovInfoNow, updated August 18, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/79484-ford-f-53-2020-suspension-recall-risk-of-crash-from. Based on NHTSA recall #21V202000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V202000).
Ford Motor Company recalled certain 2020-2021 F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles due to potential rear axle or driveshaft failure, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 24, 2021. Dealers will inspect and replace rear wheel bearings free of charge.
How to tell if you have it
Ford F-53, 2020-2021
Ford F-59, 2020-2021
What to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the rear wheel bearings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
The hazard
An inadequate amount of rear axle lubricant may cause rear wheel bearing damage and bearing seizure, and rear axle or driveshaft failure. This failure may cause the loss of motive power, failure of the parking brake, and the inability to shift the transmission into "PARK," increasing the risk of a crash.
Context
Ford Motor Company has 643 other recalls on record since 2010-01-29. Other recent recalls include Ford 2021 Bronco Hard Top Recall (2026-10-22), Ford F-450 SD Recall (2026-10-06), and Ford F-150 Recall (2026-10-06). Freightliner Business Class M2 2025 Suspension Recall occurred on 2025-11-05, and Mazda CX-50 (2025) Suspension Recall occurred on 2025-10-29.
How to tell if you have this one
Check for 2020-2021 F-53 Motorhome Stripped Chassis or F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis vehicles. The recall was notified to owners via mail on May 12, 2021.
Brand
Ford
Category
Vehicle
Based on the official NHTSA remedy
What to do — step by step
Contact Ford Customer Service
Call 1-866-436-7332 to schedule a free inspection and potential rear wheel bearing replacement.
Have Dealership Inspect Vehicle
Dealers will inspect and replace rear wheel bearings if necessary at no cost to the owner.
Official remedy
What NHTSA says to do
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the rear wheel bearings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S17.
How this recall unfolded
Recall timeline
Owners were mailed letters 49 days after NHTSA received the defect report.
1NHTSA received the defect report
2Owner letters mailed
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
Take action
Contact Ford
We’ve drafted a message you can send Ford to request your refund or repair — edit it as you like.
Subject: Recall 21V202000 — Ford F-53 (2020) Suspension Recall: Risk of Crash from Axle Failure
Hello,
I own a Ford F-53 (2020) Suspension Recall: Risk of Crash from Axle Failure that is covered by recall 21V202000 from Ford.
The official recall notice states: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the rear wheel bearings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S17.
I’m writing to arrange the remedy described in the recall (a refund, repair, or replacement as applicable). Could you please tell me the next steps to resolve this?
Thank you.
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.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 18, 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.