2020 Ford F-150 problems owners report most
2020 Ford F-150 problems are documented in public: owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2020 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the powertrain clearly first, at 239 of the 554 complaints, two of every five filed.
A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 43 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 239 | 43% |
| ENGINE | 102 | 18% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 71 | 13% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 64 | 12% |
| VISIBILITY | 38 | 7% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 21 | 4% |
Against the 2019 car, this model year has drawn 45 per cent fewer complaints (554 against 1,009). Both years are led by the powertrain, so this is a fault that carried over rather than one introduced with the 2020 car.
Of those complaints, 18 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Filers reported 17 injuries.
Recalls on the 2020 Ford F-150
A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 11 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires. The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
The risk. The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S55.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch position to "Headlamps On." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
The risk. DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and braking or steering assist. The engine could also stall.
The risk. Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S40.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 vehicles. An incorrect attachment nut may have been used to attach the battery positive (B+) power supply cable to the starter motor, possibly affecting the electrical conductivity, resulting in excess heat and electrical arcing.
The risk. Electrical arcing can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the starter motor B+ power supply attachment nut, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S40.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
The risk. If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
The risk. A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix. Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
The risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix. Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
The risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. When the headlight switch is turned from "Autolamps" to "Headlamps On," the Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) may remain fully bright instead of dimming to parking lamps as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
The risk. Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. ,Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
In owners own words
These are complaints filed about the powertrain, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.
On the afternoon of [XXX], my son and his fiancé were driving home from college (Lamar University) when my sons 2020 Ford F-150 suddenly downshifted from 10th gear to 1st gear. This sudden unexpected downshift through them both violently forward in the truck and almost caused them to be rear ended by an 18-Wheeler. They immediately pulled off to the side of the Interstate ([XXX]) to gather their thoughts and inspect the truck. My son notified me of what had just happened and that he received a service engine warning on the trucks instrument cluster along with a notification on his cell phone o
On [XXX] while attempting to take a trip to WV we were traveling on [XXX] nearing Waynesboro, VA. While driving up the mountain on [XXX] near the Rockfish Gap overlook I noticed our F-150 seemed to mis-shift or slip. As we’d experienced issues during a previous trip that required the transmission to be serviced under warranty I switched the display to the transmission temperature near 245 degrees. I attempted to put the truck in eco mode and slowed below the speed limit to the top of the mountain. While going down the west side of the mountain I left the truck in cruise. Past the [XXX] exit I
This is my second time filing a report with NHTSA. I purchased the subject 2020 Ford F-150 around October of 2023 from a Chevrolet dealer in Ohio. The vehicle had approximately 19,000 miles at the time of purchase and was covered under the OEM factory warranty. I began having transmission shifting problems as commonly associated with this model of transmission that resulted in a rebuild of the CDF drum of the transmission. I was traveling on [XXX] between Atlanta and the Florida line when my vehicle experienced erratic shifting and a catastrophic loss of power that placed me and my vehicle in
Transmission Shift Concern: While driving in town at low speeds and on the highway at posted speeds of 70 or 75mph, and even at take off from a complete stop, I am experiencing issues with how my 2020 F150 10spd transmission shifts. At times, during all of the above instances, shifting can be very rough and noisy, can be delayed causing delayed acceleration, and even when I start the truck, I sometimes here a clunk and the truck may even slightly lurch forward. **I have had two instances now of my truck hesitating in the middle of a highway at take off. After the first time, I immediately con
Every component, by complaint count
The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.
| Component | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 239 | 43% |
| ENGINE | 102 | 18% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 71 | 13% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 64 | 12% |
| VISIBILITY | 38 | 7% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 21 | 4% |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 21 | 4% |
| STRUCTURE | 19 | 3% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 17 | 3% |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 13 | 2% |
What parts cost for the 2020 Ford F-150
Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 220 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.
| Part | Listed | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 10 | $259.99 to $398.99 | $289.99 |
| Brake rotors | 41 | $65.99 to $749.99 | $151.99 |
| Brake pads | 66 | $32.49 to $185.99 | $69.99 |
| Engine air filter | 10 | $20.99 to $97.99 | $26.99 |
| Cabin air filter partial | 7 | $17.99 to $47.99 | $24.99 |
| Wiper blades | 36 | $10.59 to $43.99 | $24.99 |
| Oil filter | 19 | $5.99 to $18.99 | $13.99 |
| Spark plugs | 31 | $1.69 to $19.99 | $10.79 |
The cheapest way to keep it serviced
Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $57.25 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.
Battery. 10 products listed, from the Duralast Platinum Group Size 48 / H6 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery H6-AGM at $259.99 up to the Odyssey Performance Group Size 49 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery ODP-AGM49H8L5 at $398.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 5 of them, starting at $259.99.
Brake rotors. 41 products listed, from the PowerStop Disc Brake Rotor AR85195 at $65.99 up to the Baer Systems Disc Brake Rotor Set 2261043 at $749.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 9 of them, starting at $126.99.
Brake pads. 66 products listed, from the R1 Ceramic Series Premium Brake Pads 2310-1602-00 at $32.49 up to the EBC Brakes Organic Performance Brake Pads ED93034 at $185.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 12 of them, starting at $44.99.
Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.
How other model years compare
The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2018 Ford F-150 has drawn the most complaints and the 2020 Ford F-150 the fewest.
What to check on the transmission and driveline
Powertrain reports usually describe a shift that arrives late, lands hard, or hunts between gears, often worse when the car is cold or towing. Some describe a shudder at a steady cruise rather than a bang between gears.
Buying a used 2020 F-150
Drive it from cold. A transmission fault that hides once warm is the most common thing a short test drive misses. Take it to highway speed, let it settle into top gear, then slow and accelerate again to make it downshift under load.
If you already own one
Get the fluid condition checked before anything else, and ask for the transmission control software level at the same time. Several of these complaints were answered by the manufacturer with a reflash rather than a rebuild, which costs a fraction as much.
- Test drive from cold, not after the seller has warmed it up.
- Ask whether a transmission software update exists for the VIN.
- Check the fluid condition and when it was last changed.
- Get any rebuild quote itemised into parts, fluid and labour.
Where the 2020 Ford F-150 problem data comes from
Every figure on this page is counted from complaints and recalls published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 12, 2026. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by the agency before publication. We count each complaint once per component it names, so a complaint naming two components appears in both rows.
- NHTSA recalls and complaintsRead October 12, 2026
- NHTSA record for the 2020 Ford F-150Read October 12, 2026
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