EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2020 Ford F-150
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 746 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Ford F-150, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and electrical categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 247 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | 4 | 112 |
| Jan 2022 | 8 | 120 |
| Feb 2022 | 3 | 123 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 124 |
| Apr 2022 | 4 | 128 |
| May 2022 | 3 | 131 |
| Jun 2022 | 9 | 140 |
| Jul 2022 | 3 | 143 |
| Aug 2022 | 8 | 151 |
| Sep 2022 | 4 | 155 |
| Oct 2022 | 9 | 164 |
| Nov 2022 | 4 | 168 |
| Dec 2022 | 6 | 174 |
| Jan 2023 | 6 | 180 |
| Feb 2023 | 10 | 190 |
| Mar 2023 | 6 | 196 |
| Apr 2023 | 5 | 201 |
| May 2023 | 7 | 208 |
| Jun 2023 | 5 | 213 |
| Jul 2023 | 6 | 219 |
| Aug 2023 | 12 | 231 |
| Sep 2023 | 10 | 241 |
| Oct 2023 | 6 | 247 |
| Nov 2023 | 4 | 251 |
| Dec 2023 | 14 | 265 |
| Jan 2024 | 6 | 271 |
| Feb 2024 | 4 | 275 |
| Mar 2024 | 8 | 283 |
| Apr 2024 | 12 | 295 |
| May 2024 | 12 | 307 |
| Jun 2024 | 15 | 322 |
| Jul 2024 | 11 | 333 |
| Aug 2024 | 12 | 345 |
| Sep 2024 | 16 | 361 |
| Oct 2024 | 8 | 369 |
| Nov 2024 | 13 | 382 |
| Dec 2024 | 13 | 395 |
| Jan 2025 | 12 | 407 |
| Feb 2025 | 18 | 425 |
| Mar 2025 | 25 | 450 |
| Apr 2025 | 21 | 471 |
| May 2025 | 13 | 484 |
| Jun 2025 | 16 | 500 |
| Jul 2025 | 31 | 531 |
| Aug 2025 | 9 | 540 |
| Sep 2025 | 11 | 551 |
| Oct 2025 | 12 | 563 |
| Nov 2025 | 8 | 571 |
| Dec 2025 | 9 | 580 |
| Jan 2026 | 9 | 589 |
| Feb 2026 | 28 | 617 |
| Mar 2026 | 11 | 628 |
| Apr 2026 | 15 | 643 |
| May 2026 | 11 | 654 |
| Jun 2026 | 18 | 672 |
| Jul 2026 | 23 | 695 |
| Aug 2026 | 22 | 717 |
| Sep 2026 | 13 | 730 |
| Oct 2026 | 13 | 743 |
| Nov 2026 | 3 | 746 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)35843.0%
- Engine13916.7%
- Electrical8910.7%
- Visibility637.6%
- Driver assistance576.8%
- Brakes232.8%
- Body & structure222.6%
- Interior & seats151.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
11 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govBACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 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 for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October-November 2019 time frame. The Part 573 stated that the issue was brought to Ford's Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for review on May 12, 2020.On July 7, 2020, NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) informed the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a trend of MY 2020 Escape vehicles with rearview camera malfunctions. ODI contacted Ford the next day, providing five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging inoperative rearview cameras. On July 15, 2020, Ford met with NHTSA to discuss the rearview camera issue. In a subsequent August 24, 2020 meeting, ODI and NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) met with Ford to discuss the recall status and additional VOQs. Ford presented rate and scope data for many of its MY 2020 products during the August 2020 meeting indicating high failure rates for certain models.This RQ is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall (20V-575), and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements.The subject reports referenced in the opening resume are identified by the following ODI reference numbers which can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov: 11349813, 11344126, 11342696, 11341486, 11340254, 11337274, 11331444, 11330875, 11329235, 11316960, 11343521, 11341884, 11337226, 11344018, and 11339573.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact's grandfather owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the message "Transmission in Park" was displayed with an audible chime constantly. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train) and associated the failure with the recall. The dealer was notified of the recall, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11775591
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2026
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly lost power engine revved up and started to buck . This occurred while I was going down the coastal range pass while towing my boat, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed. Thank you for your consideration.
- NHTSA ID
- 11775277
- Incident
- Oct 31, 2026
It will lose all power sometimes during 1-2 or 1-3 shift and not complete the shift causing you to be powerless in front of oncoming traffic while turning left on green across traffic. Then eventually slams into gear violently. This last time was not the first but two of my kids were in the truck this time. I have not had it to the dealer yet but after much research online this is a known problem and I have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to tell me. No check engine light.
- NHTSA ID
- 11775132
- Incident
- Oct 30, 2026
A sudden transmission slip or hard shift into 8th gear every time. feels like someone is hitting the brakes just slightly when driving 40-50mph transitioning from 7th to 8th. sudden jerk when shifting into 4th more irregular but once a day at least.
- NHTSA ID
- 11774640
- Incident
- Oct 21, 2026
Passenger side and passenger side rear door sensors say the door is a jar even though it’s not. Opened and closed doors numerous times to make the warning message go away. Seems water or something gets in the sensors, causing the faulty sensors to go off doors will not lock and makes the alarm system go off randomly.
- NHTSA ID
- 11773902
- Incident
- Jul 6, 2026
Transmission has hard/harsh shifts and delayed gear engagement that began around 56,000 miles and have become much worse at 68,000 miles. The delay in engagement when accelerating from a stop, pulling into traffic or merging is a safety concern. A Ford dealer performed a transmission adaptive relearn and software update, but the symptoms continued. The dealer did not verify hydraulic leakage or perform the full diagnostic described in Ford TSB 25-2126 (MC-11016931-0001, harsh/delayed shifts on 2017-2020 F-150), and the only recommendation was to replace the entire transmission at roughly $5,000 after the powertrain warranty expired at 60,000 miles. The incident date entered is today because the symptoms are ongoing and progressive: they developed gradually since about 56,000 miles and are heading toward ultimate transmission failure. Safety concerns: hesitation and delayed engagement when pulling into or merging with traffic, the truck possibly rolling back when engaged on hills, and loss of reliable power on hills.
- NHTSA ID
- 11773571
- Incident
- Oct 25, 2026
On XXX, while the vehicle was parked and not in use, the passenger-side front coil spring abruptly fractured, causing the front passenger side of the vehicle to drop onto the tire. The failure also damaged additional components. The vehicle and failed component are currently located at Hines Park Ford in [XXX], and are available for inspection upon request. This failure presented a serious safety concern. Had the spring fractured while the vehicle was traveling at highway speeds, the sudden drop in the vehicle’s front end, contact with the tire, and damage to additional components could have resulted in a sudden loss of vehicle control, potentially causing a serious crash, significant injuries, or fatalities. I am unaware whether the failure has been independently reproduced. However, the dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the coil spring had broken and that additional components were damaged as a result. There were no warning signs, unusual noises, dashboard warning lights, or other noticeable symptoms before the failure. The spring fractured abruptly and without warning while the vehicle was parked. The sudden failure of a critical suspension component on a vehicle that was not in motion raises serious concerns about the component’s reliability and the potential consequences if the same failure occurs while driving. Video of event - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11773170
- Incident
- Oct 16, 2026
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11772829
- Incident
- Oct 21, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Cover service procedure has been updated to include a new essential special service tool (ESST) guide pin alignment tool (303-1790) that is used to align the engine front cover to the engine block, preventing the O-ring seal on the engine oil galley feed tube from getting damaged during installation.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
25E10-S1 Owner letter
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 25E10 - Supplement #1 Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles With 3.3L Engines and 2016-2019 Model Year Explorer, Taurus, and Flex Vehicles With 3.5L Engines Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 stored in the passenger door module (PDM). This may be due to the wiring connector from the mirror to the BLIS module. If diagnostics lead to an internal mirror wiring harness fault, a new lower level BLIS light pigtail is now released for service. It is not necessary to replace the exterior mirror assembly. Use part number SC3Z-14A411-B to resolve the concern.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING; BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS; LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Replacement If Required After Dealer Evaluation
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 51.3 |
| 2025 | 112 | 14 | 0 | 63.6 |
| 2024 | 197 | 11 | 0 | 67.3 |
| 2023 | 421 | 13 | 0 | 60.8 |
| 2022 | 609 | 23 | 2 | 67.8 |
| 2021 | 1,053 | 29 | 1 | 62.5 |
| 2020Viewing | 746 | 11 | 1 | 64.4 |
| 2019 | 1,350 | 9 | 1 | 63.3 |
| 2018 | 2,335 | 19 | 2 | 65.6 |
| 2017 | 1,469 | 18 | 3 | 69.9 |
| 2016 | 2,098 | 14 | 4 | 68.2 |
| 2015 | 1,753 | 14 | 5 | 69.1 |
| 2014 | 1,541 | 8 | 2 | 62.1 |
| 2013 | 2,994 | 3 | 3 | 60.4 |
| 2012 | 1,784 | 4 | 4 | 57.9 |
| 2011 | 2,195 | 6 | 4 | 58.6 |
| 2010 | 843 | 1 | 0 | 42.6 |
| 2009 | 324 | 2 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 2008 | 369 | 1 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 2007 | 488 | 7 | 1 | 59.1 |
| 2006 | 585 | 14 | 2 | 63.6 |
| 2005 | 1,112 | 14 | 3 | 61.5 |
| 2004 | 2,029 | 16 | 4 | 60.6 |
| 2003 | 423 | 11 | 3 | 66.9 |
| 2002 | 821 | 10 | 3 | 66.2 |
| 2001 | 1,236 | 19 | 6 | 70.9 |
| 2000 | 1,076 | 17 | 4 | 74.6 |
| 1999 | 1,044 | 18 | 5 | 65.6 |
| 1998 | 1,381 | 18 | 11 | 65.5 |
| 1997 | 2,758 | 26 | 18 | 66.9 |
| 1996 | 324 | 7 | 2 | 67.6 |
| 1995 | 626 | 7 | 1 | 64.4 |
| 1994 | 676 | 13 | 2 | 66.4 |
| 1993 | 586 | 13 | 2 | 60.0 |
| 1992 | 470 | 9 | 8 | 67.2 |
| 1991 | 304 | 6 | 12 | 68.8 |
| 1990 | 275 | 5 | 11 | 68.3 |
| 1989 | 224 | 4 | 5 | 67.8 |
| 1988 | 139 | 2 | 6 | 70.4 |
| 1987 | 91 | 3 | 2 | 71.1 |
| 1986 | 61 | 1 | 4 | 61.0 |
| 1985 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 1984 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 55.9 |
| 1983 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 1982 | 5 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 4 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.