RoadVitals

2020 Ford Transit Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
87
+3 complaints in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
10
Reports on file since Jan 26, 2020

What this page shows

Our database holds 87 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Ford Transit. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 87 · page 1 of 4

Body & structure
Filed Nov 7, 2026

There is extensive rust on the sub frame. Metal is flaking off and heavy pitting. There are only 22k miles on the vehicle with very little driving in winter conditions (road salt) or coast line (salty air/water) travel. Online research shows this is a major problem with this vehicle from 2015-2023.11-7-26

NHTSA ID
11776455
Incident
Nov 5, 2026
Electrical
Filed Nov 4, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Ford Transit. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 82,000 and at the time of maintenance, it was discovered that the mileage was 256,000.

NHTSA ID
11775633
Incident
Oct 27, 2026
Mileage
256,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 31, 2026

The problem is the transmission and what happens is a huge safety concern The failure occurs while the vehicle is in operation and creates a significant safety hazard. Losing the ability to accelerate or move with the flow of traffic without warning places me , and my passengers, and others motorists at a risk of a collision, particularly when turning , crossing intersections, merging or traveling in traffic. I have also experienced abnormal transmission shifting behavior. I have sought assistance regarding this transmission failure, but Ford has denied my request for assistance stating I didnt meet their scoring criteria which is determined by the amount of cars I buy from them or service from them for the transmission. I am extremely concerned that a vehicle experiencing such serious loss of propulsion is being denied assistance without an adequate resolution to the underlying safety issue. I took my van into Ford to have it diagnosed and they determined that fell under the TSB 24-2304 Technical Service Bulletin. The Next step was to have the transmission rebuilt as per the bulletin and ask Ford for Assistance. I am particularly concerned that a transmission failure of this severity is being treated solely as a warranty or scoring-criteria issue rather than being given a thorough safety-related review. I am asking Ford to review this matter fairly and in good faith, taking into account the nature of the failure, the potential consequences of losing propulsion in traffic, and the need to prevent a potentially dangerous incident. Please document this appeal under my existing customer assistance case and provide a written response with the outcome of the review. Sincerely, Vehicle Owner 2020 Ford Transit 250 High Roof, RWD Approximate Mileage: 73,900 miles Portal Message cxh-09694609-n3k3x0 Telephone: [732-865-6966

NHTSA ID
11774807
Incident
Oct 21, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and came to a complete stop in traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with internal transmission failure involving the sleeve and cylinder of the 10-speed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by email, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ID
11765092
Incident
Aug 26, 2026
Mileage
87,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 29, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 69,000, which was confirmed by a fraudulent Carfax report the seller provided to the contact. However, upon searching the VIN on a Ford mobile app, it was discovered that the mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA ID
11753468
Incident
Jun 10, 2026
Mileage
168,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 30, 2026

My Tire pressure Monitor give me alert while driving I select to view tire pressures for display show 3 tires fail send reading One of the three back sending reading two stay off For few days same then all tires reading went off just 1 tire send reading on /off every few miles This is first time happened

NHTSA ID
11747513
Incident
Jun 1, 2026
Brakes
Filed Jun 18, 2026

Rear brake issues. Upon taking off the brake pads on the driver's back the caliper piston would not turn in as it should. So I ordered a new one. Then I started on the passenger rear. When I tried to press and turn the piston back in it did the same thing as the other one. The piston came out of the passenger rear caliper. Upon further inspection I noticed the interior housing for the piston has a portion of it missing.

NHTSA ID
11745147
Incident
Jun 18, 2026
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 16, 2026

The bolts holding the axle together to the driveshaft failed on the rear right wheel, nearly causing an accident but fortunately it was 6am with little traffic on the interstate. The axle came out and destroyed our driveshaft, requiring a full replacement. We have had the vehicle serviced regularly since our purchase.

NHTSA ID
11744442
Incident
Jun 15, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 8, 2026

Transmission intermittently struggling to reach 3rd, 4th, 5th gears. Performed IDS diag at shop, found hitorical code P0734 for "Incorrect gear 4 ratio" TSB 26-2046 to overhaul transmission.

NHTSA ID
11736616
Incident
Apr 4, 2026
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 13, 2026

Vehicle shakes violently on or about 65 to 70 mph. Upon slowing to approximately 60 mph the shaking stops. Also at slower speeds the vehicle pulls to the right. Contacted Ford Fairfield, California dealer two days ago; left voicemail no reply at this writing.

NHTSA ID
11710770
Incident
Dec 13, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 2025

We started experiencing slight transmission shifting issues in early-mid 2024. More issues in December 2024/January 2025 - this time it was really hard and jerky shifting. It was sporadic at this time, but it was often. My wife and I have 7 children. This vehicle is usually driven by my wife to pick up kids from school, run errands, etc. At the beginning of March 2025, my wife was merging onto the highway, but it didn't want to shift. She stated that a big rig was coming behind her and the van was not shifting and picking up speed. She said the engine was revving but just was not shifting up. She said the big rig honked and had to change lanes or else he would have hit her and my kids. Several seconds after the big rig passed was when the transmission hard shifted and jerked and it began to pick up more speed, but from that point on, the transmission was not operating properly. We have not driven it since March 2025. I have been saving up to fix the transmission, but I read so many other Ford owners have the same issue with this particular transmission. The Ford dealer confirmed it had a TSB on this exact issue and that many other 10r80 transmissions were doing the same. The issue was reproduced by the Ford dealer. It states the CDF issue in the invoice. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the experience merging on to the highway. I reached out to a local independent mechanic and he upgrades the parts in these Ford transmissions all the time - proving it is a very common issue. This is a huge safety risk for anyone operating or riding in a Ford with this transmission.

NHTSA ID
11689596
Incident
Mar 6, 2025
Filed Sep 11, 2025

Back up camera image is reversed, distorted and goes black/blue from time to time.

NHTSA ID
11686639
Incident
Jul 1, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 6, 2025

The rear back up camera stopped working completely I took it to Faricy boys Ford in Canon City Co Waited 45 days for them to get the part and then they told me they weren’t comfortable changing the camera out so I have been with out back up camera on this 22 foot van needing assistance for almost every single move Please help me get this vin on the recall Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11671444
Incident
Dec 11, 2024
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the right front wheel activated, and the ABS activated while making a hard right turn. The contact was not depressing the brake pedal during the failure. In addition, the contact was informed that the brake lights remained activated. The contact stated that several functions were deactivated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA ID
11668587
Incident
Jun 22, 2025
Mileage
33,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 15, 2025

Only I have 88,000 k on 2020 transit the transmission have problems with shifting while driving on highway start with delay on 2nd gear now fault code for gear 10

NHTSA ID
11666994
Incident
Jun 12, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2025

Driveshaft both front and rear failed as pieces broke off while driving at different times requiring tow and repair

NHTSA ID
11661247
Incident
Mar 12, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 30, 2025

Loss of power while driving with no warning. Almost crashed. Shifting violently. After a few months it wasn't safe for anyone and was happening all the time . It's at the dealer getting the transmission rebuilt with re engineered parts . That's what the dealer told me . He said this will resolve the problem for good . 8000$$ 67k miles ford is not helping with cost. Ford had to re engineer the parts that are going in my van , isn't that them admitting they have a transmission that was no good from the start

NHTSA ID
11658009
Incident
Apr 23, 2025
Filed Apr 26, 2025

Mid 2023 the backup camera would sporadically stop working and produce a blue screen and a message "camera is unavailable contact your dealership". I would check for an update and then it would start working. This has happened 8 times since 2023- 2024, in August 2024 it has quit working completely.

NHTSA ID
11656962
Incident
Jul 12, 2023
Filed Mar 26, 2025

While I driving my 4-year-old Ford Transit Connect with 65,000 miles, I noticed a transmission issue. At low speeds, the vehicle struggled to accelerate, which caused me significant stress and felt very unsafe. However, once on the highway, the transmission gradually returned to normal. In March, I took it to a Ford dealership, where it was diagnosed with a faulty transmission. After discussing this issue with others, I found that many people have also complained about serious safety concerns with Ford’s transmissions.

NHTSA ID
11650915
Incident
Feb 5, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 23, 2025

A few months ago, my 2020 Ford Transit had a transmission issue, and the dealer replaced the torque converter. Now, at 101,300 miles, I’m experiencing loss of power, jerking, and rough shifting, and I have to replace the entire transmission. After researching online, I’ve found that many others have experienced the same issue.

NHTSA ID
11650037
Incident
Jun 25, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the vehicle briefly hesitated before suddenly jolting forward, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

NHTSA ID
11645542
Incident
Apr 30, 2024
Mileage
136,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the AWD and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the actuator and sensor needed to be replaced, and a software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer determined that the transfer switch, new air bag, and seat repair kit were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ID
11630379
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Mileage
68,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2024

The van will not start on a regular basis. Usually within a week the battery voltage has depleted to the point the van will not start. Have to put a charger on it often. This is a commonly reported problem on many forums.

NHTSA ID
11628828
Incident
Dec 4, 2024
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit equipped with Hankook Tires, Tire Line: Dynapro HT, Tire size: 205/75/16, DOT Number: (NA). The contact stated that while pulling into a gas station there was a thumping noise coming from the trailer. The contact inspected the trailer and observed that the front driver’s tire was flat. A mobile mechanic was called to the location and replaced the flat tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was then taken to a tire shop where it was determined that the front driver’s tire was worn down to the metal and experience a blowout. The tire was replaced. The contact stated that on the same day while driving 62 MPH, the tire pressure warning light illuminated, indicating that the tire was deflating quickly. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the contact became aware that the front passenger’s tire was flat. The vehicle was taken to tire shop and the front tires were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle and tire failure mileages were approximately 20,250.

NHTSA ID
11627191
Incident
Oct 29, 2024
Mileage
20,250 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2024

My Balmar 2nd alternator on my Winnebago Ekko has just failed. This is a Winnebago installed electrical system component mounted in the Ford Transit chassis engine bay that provides electrical charging to the RV coach batteries. There was an initial NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-234 issued in 2023 after numerous Balmar units failed; in some cases the Balmar unit failure caused a fire in the engine bay. I had the Safety Recall work performed in July 2023 by authorized dealer Dennis Dillion RV in Boise Idaho per the attached invoice and the Balmar charging system had been working well until now. I am aware that there are ongoing reports by other Ekko owners of the Balmar alternator failures reoccurring after the Safety Recall work was performed, and in some cases even after Balmar 2nd alternators' were replaced, which suggests the initial solution provided by the Safety Recall was not sufficient to prevent a failure. Within minutes of starting to drive my RV today I noticed an unfamiliar whining sound from somewhere under the hood that I had not heard before and immediately checked my coach batteries while driving a short distance and went from the batteries discharging significantly to not charging at all. I opened the engine hood and had smoke visible and a strong burning smell coming from the passenger side of the engine bay where the Balmar unit is located. I was very concerned about the potential for an engine bay fire, but fortunately was very close to my home, so my RV is now parked in my driveway. See attached screenshots showing the initial voltage discharge while driving and then the batteries not getting any charge while under power. Also attached is the Recall 23V-234 repair instructions. I plan to unplug the Balmar alternator to prevent the potential for a fire while awaiting a response from Winnebago how to proceed. Despite the NHTSA Safety Recall having been performed, there are reports of alternator's failing and risk of vehicle fires remains.

NHTSA ID
11626480
Incident
Nov 20, 2024

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.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .