NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
What can fail
When the headlight switch is moved from Autolamps to Headlamps On, the daytime running lamps stay at full brightness instead of dimming to parking lamp level as designed.
This page covers 12 recalls and 652 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford F-150.
Powertrain complaints dominate the 2020 F-150 owner reports by a wide margin, with transmission issues making up the bulk of what drivers describe. Owners frequently report harsh or rough shifting, slipping between gears, and delayed engagement, some say the transmission required full replacement. A recurring pattern involves repeated service warnings tied to transmission performance that worsen over time rather than resolve after dealer visits. Engine complaints are the second most-reported area, with owners describing unexpected shutoffs while the vehicle is still moving, sometimes accompanied by multiple warning lights appearing on the dash simultaneously. Some report this happening while decelerating at low speeds with the auto start-stop feature disabled. Electrical complaints are fewer but include tail light failures that owners say went undetected until flagged as a safety concern on the road.
652
Total Complaints
18
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
12
With Injuries
By System
The 2020 Ford F-150 has 12 recalls, the most serious involving an electrical arcing risk at the starter motor that can cause a fire, a transmission gear mismatch that can allow the vehicle to roll unexpectedly, and a spare tire that can rapidly deflate or detach from the wheel.
Two separate electrical concerns affect the battery and power distribution: a loose fastener at the positive battery terminal can cause the instrument cluster, braking assist, and steering assist to stop working, and the engine can stall. On the occupant safety side, the front seat recliner mechanism may be improperly assembled and can allow the seatback to give way in a crash. A missing airbag warning label on some vehicles is a compliance issue with no associated mechanical defect.
Several recalls affect visibility. Windshield wiper arms can break and leave the driver with no wipers in rain. The rearview camera can display a blank or distorted image due to a poor electrical connection or a software issue, reducing the view when backing up. On trucks with high-series LED headlamps, the daytime running lights can stay at full brightness when the driver manually switches to headlamps, potentially blinding oncoming traffic. An earlier repair attempt for that headlamp issue did not fully resolve the problem for some vehicles.
At a glance
What can fail
When the headlight switch is moved from Autolamps to Headlamps On, the daytime running lamps stay at full brightness instead of dimming to parking lamp level as designed.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the body control module software at no cost to restore proper daytime running lamp dimming.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag warning label on the dashboard may be missing, which means the vehicle doesn't have the required safety information label.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you the warning label at no cost. Letters were sent December 19, 2024. Call 1-866-436-7332 with questions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arms can break, causing the windshield wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A poor electrical connection can cause the rearview camera to display a blank or distorted image intermittently, limiting rear visibility.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nut connecting the battery positive cable to the starter motor may be incorrect, reducing electrical conductivity and causing excess heat and arcing.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the starter motor battery positive cable attachment nut at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, causing the transmission to operate in a different gear than what the driver selected.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain F-150 trucks with LED headlamps and Autolamp control, the daytime running lamps stay bright instead of dimming to parking lamps when you switch from Autolamps to Headlamps On mode.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the body control module at no cost to restore proper lamp dimming when switching modes.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire's bead—the edge that seals the tire to the rim—may have been damaged during assembly. This damage can cause the bead wire to separate over time, leading to tire failure.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a Ford or Lincoln dealer, where they will replace your spare tire.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The spare tire may have been damaged during installation on the rim, potentially affecting its reliability.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the spare tire at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fastener connecting the Power Distribution Box and Battery Monitoring System cables to the positive battery terminal may loosen, causing instrument panel displays to malfunction and reducing braking and steering assist power. The engine may also stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the battery cable connection for excess adhesive, remove any excess, reassemble the joint, and retighten the fastener as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front or rear seat recliner mechanism may be missing a critical locking pawl, causing the seat back to be loose and weak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your seat structure and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
