2020 Ford F-150 recalls and problems

The 2020 Ford F-150 has 11 safety recalls and 747 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
11
Complaints
747
Crashes / fires
21 / 4
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 Ford F-150 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 Ford F-150 recalls

Recall 26V-373: Exterior Lighting

Reported Jun 9, 2026 · 91,198 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 25V-442: Back Over Prevention

Reported Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 24V-852: Equipment

Reported Nov 8, 2024 · 27,678 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 22V-250: Visibility

Reported Apr 14, 2022 · 652,996 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 20V-575: Back Over Prevention

Reported Sep 23, 2020 · 620,246 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 20V-467: Electrical System

Reported Aug 10, 2020 · 431 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 20V-197: Power Train

Reported Apr 3, 2020 · 55,158 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 20V-097: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 21, 2020 · 166,196 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 19V-903: Tires

Reported Dec 18, 2019 · 33 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 19V-805: Electrical System

Reported Nov 12, 2019 · 135,725 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 19V-633: Seats

Reported Aug 28, 2019 · 639,137 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

2020 Ford F-150 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train364
Engine131
Electrical System89
Unknown or Other86
Visibility39
Forward Collision Avoidance32
Visibility/Wiper25
Structure22
Service Brakes18
Vehicle Speed Control17
Back Over Prevention16
Fuel/Propulsion System12

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 16
  • Structure › Body — 14
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 7
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 6
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 6
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 5
  • Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 4
  • Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 38,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2020 Ford F-150 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 11, 2026
The transmission began by shifting hard between gears 1-2 and 3-4, becoming worse over just a few days until we could get it in to the dealership to be evaluated. One evening just before getting it into the dealership, it would not shift into 2nd gear when going up a slight hill on a paved city road and started sliding backwards down the incline, which could have been very dangerous to our safety and the safety of others. Fortunately, there were no vehicles or obstacles behind us and we were able to let it roll back to a flat area, speed up faster to get it past 2nd gear, and it made it to our…
Power Train · reported Nov 4, 2026
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.
Power Train · reported Nov 2, 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.
Power Train · reported Nov 2, 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…
Power Train · reported 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.

Other Ford F-150 years

Compare all Ford F-150 years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Ford F-150 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2020 Ford F-150: 26V-373 (exterior lighting), 25V-442 (back over prevention), 24V-852 (equipment), 22V-250 (visibility), 20V-575 (back over prevention) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Ford F-150?

Owners report power train problems most often (364 reports), followed by engine (131). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 38,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.