NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 746 owner complaints for the 2020 Ford F-150. It has 1 open investigation that names this model year.
Recalled components: backover prevention and rearview camera, electrical system, exterior lighting, equipment, and 4 more. Most-described problem: jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (177 complaints, 24%). Most-reported area: powertrain (364 complaints, 49%; median mileage when it happened: 59,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical F-150 year
The 2020 drew 174 owner complaints in its first three years, against 388 for a typical F-150 year. It is not picked as a best year: its first three years fell in the pandemic, when people drove less.
No F-150 year stands out enough to avoid; best year: 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Data: NHTSA recall, complaint and investigation filesUpdated
Best year
Excludes the electric F-150 Lightning.
11 safety recalls for the 2020 Ford F-150
Grouped by the part recalled, largest group first, newest first within each part. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for what is wrong, the fix and the full notice.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
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.
200,237 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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.
Fails federal standard 111 (rear visibility) · 620,246 vehicles.
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.
Risk: Electrical arcing can increase the risk of a fire.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
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.
431 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 vehicles.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
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.
135,725 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020F-150 vehicles.
Risk: Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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.
Fails federal standard 108 (lighting) · 91,198 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097.
Risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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.
Fails federal standard 108 (lighting) · 166,196 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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.
Fails federal standard 208 (occupant crash protection) · 27,678 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Ford campaign 24C39.
Powertrain 1 recall
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, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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.
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.
55,158 vehicles.
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.
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.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
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."
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.
Fails federal standard 202 (head restraints) · 639,137 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020F-150 and 2019-2020F-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.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Components: Seats: front assembly, recliner; Seats: mid/rear assembly. Ford campaign 19C07.
Risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
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.
33 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
What's wrong, the fix and the full notice
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
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.
652,996 vehicles.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250,F-350,F-450,F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
NHTSA listing: F-150. Ford campaign 22S26.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation that names the 2020 Ford F-150; it is still open. An investigation means NHTSA is reviewing reports of a problem. It is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford F-150,F-250,F-350,F-450,F-550…NHTSA's full summary
NHTSA listing: F-150. Component: Backover prevention and rearview camera (sensing system, camera).
A recall query is a review of whether a recall covered the right vehicles or whether its fix works. NHTSA lists investigations by make, model and model year only, so one can apply to only some versions of a model, such as one engine; its summary says which.
What owners report
Owners have filed 746 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 F-150. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting177 · 24%
Median 59,000 miles at failure, from 33 reports with mileage
Transmission failure or replacement102 · 14%
Median 65,000 miles at failure, from 28 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode70 · 9%
Median 73,600 miles at failure, from 16 reports with mileage
Hesitation or slow acceleration58 · 8%
Median 79,800 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Check engine light49 · 7%
Median 86,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Stalling or shutting off44 · 6%
Transmission slipping37 · 5%
Backup camera problems37 · 5%
Median 2,000 miles at failure, from 19 reports with mileage
Most named: automatic transmission (5) · Median 59,000 miles at failure, from 92 reports with mileage
Engine130 · 17%
Median 46,300 miles at failure, from 54 reports with mileage
Electrical system89 · 12%
Median 3,500 miles at failure, from 29 reports with mileage
Visibility38 · 5%
Most named: sun/moon roof assembly (6); glass, side/rear (4)
Visibility/wiper25 · 3%
Forward collision avoidance24 · 3%
Most named: warnings (16); adaptive cruise control (7)
Body structure22 · 3%
Most named: body (14)
Unknown or other86 · 12%
Median 6,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Ford F-150 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2020 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2018 F-150 drew the most (501) and the 2020 drew 174.
Owner complaints
2020: 746 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Ford F-150
Model year
Complaints
2010
843
2011
2,195
2012
1,784
2013
2,994
2014
1,541
2015
1,753
2016
2,098
2017
1,469
2018
2,335
2019
1,350
2020
746
2021
1,323
2022
826
2023
515
2024
234
2025
131
2026
20
Safety recalls
2020: 11 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Ford F-150
Model year
Recalls
2010
1
2011
6
2012
4
2013
3
2014
8
2015
13
2016
13
2017
17
2018
18
2019
9
2020
11
2021
29
2022
23
2023
13
2024
11
2025
16
2026
8
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 746 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford F-150, the problems described most are jerking, lurching or harsh shifting (177), transmission failure or replacement (102), and loss of power or limp mode (70). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2020 Ford F-150 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests the 2020 Ford F-150 earns 4 to 5 stars overall, depending on the version. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2020 Ford F-150?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 open investigation that names the 2020 Ford F-150: rearview camera FMVSS 111 noncompliance (RQ21002, opened Aug 3, 2021). An investigation is not a finding that the vehicle has a defect.
How do I check if my F-150 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Ford dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: F-150.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.