RoadVitals

2020 Ford F-150 Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jul 23, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
1%
of 709 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling sound coming from the front-end of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front driver’s and passenger’s side shock absorber springs were cracked and fractured, causing damages to several suspension components on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who informed the contact that the shock absorbers and springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 34,000.

NHTSA ID
11675580
Incident
Jul 17, 2025
Mileage
34,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 28, 2025

With 72,000 miles the driver's side spring broke just setting in our driveway. Unknown to my wife who drove it 7 miles to work with a broken suspension spring. Within 200 miles the other spring broke on the passenger front while going down the road. Didn't hit a bump and was going straight. This one also snapped with no notice and i had visually inspected it days before. We were going 15-20 mph when it broke and were able to safely pull off the road. Unheard of them breaking when the vehicle is only driven on the paved roadways and not off used off road. Cost approximately $1,200 to just repair the driver front at a shop.

NHTSA ID
11663357
Incident
May 25, 2025
Suspension
Filed May 10, 2025

After completing a 200-mile highway drive with my family in the vehicle, I performed a routine visual inspection of the undercarriage. During this inspection, I immediately noticed that one of the front coil springs appeared to be off-center in relation to the shock assembly. Upon closer examination, I discovered that both front coil springs had shifted significantly out of position. Even more alarming, the coil spring on the passenger side had a complete fracture—it was fully cracked through. In addition, the misalignment of both springs had caused visible damage to the shock bodies, suggesting metal-on-metal contact had been occurring during operation. This is not a wear-and-tear issue or a cosmetic concern—this is a catastrophic suspension failure on a relatively new and well-maintained vehicle. Coil springs are a critical structural component designed to support the weight of the vehicle, absorb shocks, and maintain proper handling and ride height. A complete failure of one coil spring, coupled with misalignment of both, indicates either a serious design flaw or material defect. Had this failure progressed during our highway drive, especially at speed or during an evasive maneuver, the consequences could have been tragic—not only for my family, but for other drivers on the road. The loss of suspension integrity at highway speeds could lead to sudden loss of vehicle control, steering instability, or even a rollover. The fact that this occurred without any warning signs (no abnormal noises, ride quality changes, or handling issues were noticed prior to inspection) makes it even more concerning. This type of failure should not be happening on a modern pickup truck, especially one marketed for its toughness and reliability. I am filing this complaint in the hope that NHTSA investigates whether this is an isolated incident or part of a broader issue affecting other 2020 F-150s. If other vehicles are at risk of similar suspension failures, this poses a serious publ

NHTSA ID
11660141
Incident
May 9, 2025
Suspension
Filed Apr 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, he observed a loud noise emanating from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved violently to the right almost driving off a cliff. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front coil spring on the passenger’s side strut had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 59,000.

NHTSA ID
11581648
Incident
Apr 7, 2024
Mileage
59,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 23, 2022

At 20,000 mile my 2020 f150 has a horrific freaking noise coming from the passenger side lower control arm. It was aligned at ford dealership 10,000 miles ago. I did check the nut and bolt to confirm they were tight. It is obvious via witness marks that the bolt is moving and removing the frame powder coating. This noise is ridiculous and I’m concerned it causing further damage.

NHTSA ID
11490503
Incident
Oct 12, 2022
Suspension
Filed Jun 10, 2021

While backing out of a residential driveway, While turning the steering wheel the Right front wheel caught the edge of the curb and had a catastrophic failure of the right front upper ball joint. Wheel and knuckle collapsed under the wheel well. The vehicle is new with 8600 miles on it. While removing the wheel in order to tow it, found there was no torque nut on the balljoint stud. It was transported to a certified Ford dealership where it is being evaluated for repairs. Suspension, steering, alignment, sensors are non operational and damaged. The nut was either never put on, or was never tightened. No prior warnings were given. Had we been driving at speed I have no doubt we would have sustaine major injury or worse. Dealership has reported documentation of the aformentioned problem, and pictures sent to Ford administration with no response yet.

NHTSA ID
11420468
Incident
Jun 5, 2021
Mileage
8,600 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 22, 2020

RATTLE IN LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION

NHTSA ID
11375783
Incident
Nov 18, 2020
EngineSuspension
Filed Jun 8, 2020

DRIVE MODE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARS IN MESSAGE CENTER. VEHICLE CANNOT CHANCE DRIVE MODES, SUSPENSION STIFFENS UP, AND ENGINE WILL GO INTO LOW POWER MODE OR COMPLETELY STALLS. MESSAGE HAS RANDOMLY APPEARED ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW. FIRST ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON FIRST DAY OF OWNERSHIP AT 118 MILES. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 1600 MILES. 6TH INCIDENT HAPPENED 2 DAYS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327860
Incident
Feb 24, 2020
Mileage
118 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .