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2020 Ford F-150 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2020 Ford F-150 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 11safety recalls
- 559owner complaints
- 19crash reports
- 4fire reports
- 17injuries reported
559 complaints, against an average of 1,172 for the other 14 Ford F-150 model years.
Every Ford F-150 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2020 Ford F-150?
The components named most often in the 559 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2020 Ford F-150 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 559 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2020 Ford F-150 transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?68 owners · 12.2%
- Why does my 2020 Ford F-150 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?43 owners · 7.7% · Recall 19V805000
- Has the 2020 Ford F-150 had transmission failures?39 owners · 7% · Recall 20V197000
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2020 Ford F-150?36 owners · 6.4%
- Why does my 2020 Ford F-150 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?28 owners · 5%
- Why is my 2020 Ford F-150 burning or losing oil?18 owners · 3.2%
- Why does the auto start-stop system act up on my 2020 Ford F-150?18 owners · 3.2%
- Why does the backup camera not work on my 2020 Ford F-150?18 owners · 3.2% · Recall 25V442000
Has the 2020 Ford F-150 been recalled?
11 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Exterior Lighting: Headlights 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."
Risk: Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Back Over Prevention: Software 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.
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.
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.
Equipment: Other: Labels 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."
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.
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.
Visibility: Windshield Wiper/Washer: Linkages 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.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 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."
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Electrical System: Starter Assembly 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.
Risk: Electrical arcing can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) 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.
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.
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.
Exterior Lighting: Headlights 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."
Risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Tires: Bead 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.
Risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Electrical System: 12v/24v/48v Battery: Cables 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.
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.
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.
Seats: Front Assembly: Recliner 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."
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.
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.
Is the 2020 Ford F-150 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
EU Safety GateThe attachment of the positive battery cable can be defective.This can result in failure of the vehicle's electrical system and engine increasing the risk of an accident. Furthermore, this can lead to increased risk of fire in the engine compartment.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2020 Ford F-150 owners report?
12 of the 559 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
while driving on the highway, my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 transmission experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of power. The transmission failed to shift slipped gears, and left the vehicle completely neutralized in traffic. This sudden loss of propulsion created an extremely hazardous situation on the road, nearly causing a severe collision before I could safely pull over.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with children inside the vehicle, the transmission shifted erratically and began shuddering. The vehicle decelerated unexpectedly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The Transmission has failed. Hard shifting, random gear switching while driving at any speed. i put it in reverse and it went forward while in reverse. it slows itself down while on the highway. it acts like it wants to turn off while running, its a matter of time before I'm driving down the road and it decides to stop suddenly and cause an accident. I got it diagnosed by truck works garage and they confirmed that the shifting was all over the place with random high rpms. The dealership quoted me $2500 just to diagnose the problem so i had it diagnosed at truck works garage for $160 to confirm…
I put my truck in reverse to get out of a driveway and it kept going and accelerating...the brakes did not work. I ended up goign through a fence at the end of the street and into a shed and my truck finally stopped. I have significant damage to my truck as well as to the homeowners property...the Police classified it as equipment failure and I did not receive a ticket.
It had been raining hard for a few days. Husband was taking truck down hwy 98 to a drs appointment an hour away. Driving 50 when the steering wheel starting going in and out, the seat started moving forward and back, running boards going in and out, lights flashing on and off and horn blaring and the 2020 F150 sputtered, almost stopped in the middle of the road; to name a few things. Frightened he was able to pull into a gas station, wait a bit then try another time when same happened. He eventually made it to his appointment. Came out and truck doing same. Was towed to Group 1 Ford dealership…
I have noticed that my turn signal lights work sometimes, and sometimes they give me the rapid-fire warning light indicating that one of them is out (front or back). The outage may or may not last the entire duration of when the turn signal is deployed - sometimes it fixes itself, and other times it remains out. Sometimes, it even fixes itself and goes back out in the same signal instance. Additionally, I have noticed that one or both of the headlights will sometimes fail. I have learned to turn on the fog lights in order to ensure some sort of light remains working to illuminate my path…
Brought my 2020 Ford F150 2.7L EcoBoost in for mandatory emissions recall 24E12. Vehicle had zero dashboard lights or performance issues prior. Immediately upon completion of the PCM flash, the check engine light activated. When the truck was scanned I am now receiving a P0420 and P0430 catalytic converter efficiency codes. The dealership is now requiring $6000 for replacement of qty 2 catalytic converters caused by the recall parameters. This is a predatory compliance software update designed to shift manufacturing component failures onto the consumer after the 80k mile warranty window (truck…
After starting my 2020 Ford F150 for the last few months on the dash 2 warnings comes up, Front Camera Malfunction Service Required and Pre Collision Assist Not Available. These come on every time I start my truck. I did go to my local Ford dealer and told them these were coming on and they told me they never heard of that. I did have a mechanic do a scan on the truck and he came up with code 4300-49- AF which he said is an internal electronic failure. I have read that people have been having this same issue with their 2020 Ford F150s. I feel this is a safety issue that Ford should address…
When driving the vehicle it randomly jumps gears, when taking off it went into limp mode today. My wife almost got slammed by a semi truck! I called ford and they are not interested in hearing my case only wanting me to pay these outrageous fees. The pcm recall fix did not fix the gears jumping
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, rainwater leaked into the cabin of the vehicle from the sunroof assembly because the sunroof failed to properly close. The vehicle to taken to the local dealer who removed debris from the sunroof tracks. After retrieving the vehicle, the contact discovered that rainwater was still leaking into the vehicle from the sunroof. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who advised that the sunroof assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated upon attempting to replace a flat tire with the spare tire, the contact noticed that there was a hole in the spare tire. The contact determined that the mufflers had burned the spare tire due to the spare tire location in the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained in a parking lot. The tire had not been replaced. The failure…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), the back over prevention camera failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that occasionally the image was frozen, or the screen was blue. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility, Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure…
2020 Ford F-150: questions owners ask
Is the 2020 Ford F-150 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 559 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford F-150; the most common categories were power train (241, 43.1%), engine (103, 18.4%), electrical system (71, 12.7%). There are 11 safety recalls. 19 complaints mention a crash, 4 mention a fire, 17 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-150?
Across 559 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (43.1% of complaints), engine (18.4% of complaints), electrical system (12.7% of complaints), visibility (6.8% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (3.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2020 Ford F-150 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2020 Ford F-150; the most recent (campaign 26V373000, 2026-06-09) concerns Exterior Lighting: Headlights. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2020 Ford F-150 transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
68 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (12.2%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "There has been harsh shifting observed, both cold and warm. Often when downshifting and slowing to a turn or stop, there is a violent slamming into gear." (NHTSA complaint 11756218, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2020 Ford F-150 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
43 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (7.7%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. A related recall exists: campaign 19V805000 (electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables). 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… One owner wrote: "while driving on the highway, my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 transmission experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of power. The transmission failed to shift slipped gears, and left the vehicle completely neutralized in traffic." (NHTSA complaint 11772829, October 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has the 2020 Ford F-150 had transmission failures?
39 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (7%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. A related recall exists: campaign 20V197000 (power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)). The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. One owner wrote: "while driving on the highway, my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 transmission experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of power. The transmission failed to shift slipped gears, and left the vehicle completely neutralized in traffic." (NHTSA complaint 11772829, October 2026). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2020 Ford F-150?
36 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (6.4%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Cam Phasers need to be replaced due to knocking sound. The problem was reproduced by an independent service center. Check engine light is displayed. This issue is under recall for ford f 150 3.5 however we own a 5.0. The same issue is occurring in our vehicle." (NHTSA complaint 11642008, February 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2020 Ford F-150 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
28 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (5%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Transmission engages and disengages periodically as i slow down or come to a stop. Shifts erratically while driving from 6 gear to 4th gear , and when accellerating it hesitates from 2nd to 3rd gear, then shifts hard to 4th gear where i have to press on the…" (NHTSA complaint 11654759, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is my 2020 Ford F-150 burning or losing oil?
18 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (3.2%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "Transmission slips gears and sometimes shifts violently. I took the truck to a Ford dealership for an assessment and was told I need to replace the whole transmission. I also have a problem with oil consumption from the engine." (NHTSA complaint 11763163, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the auto start-stop system act up on my 2020 Ford F-150?
18 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (3.2%) describe problems with the automatic start-stop system. One owner wrote: "1. The start/stop function will not restart at some long stop lights. I have to restart the vehicle. 2. The wiper will come on without being turned on. 3. The brake have started to grind like, the brake pads are bad." (NHTSA complaint 11573807, February 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the backup camera not work on my 2020 Ford F-150?
18 of the 559 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 (3.2%) describe the rearview or backup camera failing or showing a blank screen. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 25V442000 (back over prevention: software). The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. One owner wrote: "The rear view camera turned black, sometimes purple, the image is distorted. I googled it and it says 700,000 F150's were recalled for this problem but when I called the Ford where I live they said it didn't have a recall" (NHTSA complaint 11627333, November 2024). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own F-150
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2020 only; combines NHTSA's entries for F-150, F-150 REGULAR CAB, F-150 SUPER CREW, F-150 SUPER CREW DIESEL, F-150 SUPERCAB and F-150 SUPERCAB DIESEL.