repaired · 2026 Q3
Exterior lighting: headlights
NewRisk. Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
2020 Ford F-150Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 746 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford F-150, most often about the power train. It is covered by 11 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-903 the manufacturer reports only 15% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 Ford F-150 has problems
746 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
364Power train10 crash/fire/injury
130Engine3 crash/fire/injury
89Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
38Visibility
25Visibility/wiper
24Forward collision avoidance
22Structure
18Service brakes
17Vehicle speed control
11418 other systems10 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 364 | 10 |
| Engine | 130 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 89 | 3 |
| Visibility | 38 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 25 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 24 | 2 |
| Structure | 22 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 114 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
11 recalls
2020 Ford F-150 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Other: labels
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.
repaired · 2025 Q2
Windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 7 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Electrical system: starter assembly
Risk. Electrical arcing can increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk. If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur,…
repaired · 2021 Q2
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Tires: bead
Risk. The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q1
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Front assembly: recliner
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
59kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 92 power train complaints. 75% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 32% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
27under 30k miles69under 100k miles23100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
27 owners mentioned a cost$8,400median
Middle half: $6,000 – $9,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other F-150 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-150 median. How we score
01034232510152861911392242753044705866766263242,7581,3811,0441,0761,2368214232,0291,1125854883693248432,1951,7842,9941,5411,7532,0981,4692,3351,3507461,052608420197111140
'73'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2020 Ford F-150, and the recalls they led to.
- Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 NoncomplianceLed to recall 26V-104
In owners' words
What F-150 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2020 F-150?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.