Is the 2020 Ford F-150 a bad year?
746 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 364, 6.4× a quiet F-150 year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 6.4× the complaints of a quiet F-150 year, spread over 24k–96k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 F-150 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 59,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 364 (49%) | 24k–96k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 135 (18%) | 10k–80k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Backup camera | 16 (2%) | 30k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 14 (2%) | 25k–65k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Latches and locks | 11 (1%) | 26k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 10 (1%) | 14k–79k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 89 (12%) | 1k–23k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 63 (8%) | 4k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 22 (3%) | 5k–45k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 20 (3%) | 4k–47k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Collision avoidance | 24 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 17 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 59,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 746 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 14 report an injury · 26 say the car was towed.
182 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Clutch went out in automatic truck causing transmission to overheat and fail. Lost reverse while driving and truck would slam into every gear when accelerating or downshifting.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 59,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2020 Ford F-150: 11
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. Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. 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.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
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. Electrical arcing can increase the risk of a fire.
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. 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.
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." DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim. The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 234
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Ford F-150. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L…
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission components and flush…
Some 2019-2020 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2020 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Neighbouring years
2019 F-150: 1,347 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2021 F-150: 1,044 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford F-150 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All F-150 years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2020 Ford F-150 a bad year?
746 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 364, 6.4× a quiet F-150 year. At 59,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 6.4× the complaints of a quiet F-150 year, spread over 24k–96k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-150?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (364), engine (135), backup camera (16), fuel system (14), latches and locks (11). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 24k–96k miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-150 have?
11 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 26V-373), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-442), Equipment (NHTSA 24V-852), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 22V-250) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.