Is the 2020 Ford F-250 SD a bad year?
270 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 76, 7.6× a quiet F-250 SD year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 48k–98k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2020 F-250 SD 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 69,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 76 (28%) | 48k–98k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 64 (24%) | 64k–120k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 32 (12%) | 10k–87k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Backup camera | 9 (3%) | 37k–69k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 46 (17%) | 13k–28k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 29 (11%) | 13k–28k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 27 (10%) | 7k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 12 (4%) | 3k–33k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (2%) | 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 69,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 270 complaints: 2 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 2 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
56 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.
Recalls for the 2020 Ford F-250 SD: 16
Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump. High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 360-degree view camera system may not display a rearview image properly in certain lighting conditions. A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control. A loss of steering control increases 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.
Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump. High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image. Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism. Debris lodged within the 'Park' mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding 'Park,' increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and 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.
Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture. A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged.
On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up. If the steering locks, it can increase 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.
The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle. An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
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: 295
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2020 Ford F-250 SD. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
For 2020 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R140 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair…
Some vehicles may exhibit a delayed engagement into drive and/or reverse on initial start-up
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an upper engine ticking or tapping noise at idle
Some vehicles may require an engine cooling system flush to be performed for various concerns
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Low-pressure fuel pump failure
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
Power Tailgate Release Systems
Neighbouring years
2019 F-250 SD: 1,166 complaints, keep it · 2021 F-250 SD: 171 complaints, keep it.
Every Ford F-250 SD 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-250 SD 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 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · 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-250 SD a bad year?
270 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 76, 7.6× a quiet F-250 SD year. At 69,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 48k–98k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-250 SD?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (76), fuel system (64), engine (32), backup camera (9), steering (46). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 48k–98k miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-250 SD have?
16 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 26V-158), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-686), Steering (NHTSA 25V-626), Backup camera (NHTSA 25V-442) 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.