2020 Ford F-150 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 Ford F-150 has 727 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 45, and 11 recall campaigns, earning a Caution verdict — capped because of the recall count despite a mid-range complaint index. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 49% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 F-150 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 727
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 19
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2020 Ford F-150 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain354 (49%)
- Engine150 (21%)
- Electrical System90 (12%)
- Other87 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers61 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras38 (5%)
- Structure & Body34 (5%)
- Brakes22 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (2%)
- Fuel System14 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in front and rear-impact collisions, sometimes at 50-60 mph impact speeds.
- Vehicle rolled forward or downhill on its own while parked or stopped without driver input.
- Brakes locked up unexpectedly at highway speed then released on their own.
- Automatic emergency braking failed to engage or sound a warning before a collision.
- Engine compartment caught fire while the truck was parked and unattended.
- Cruise control did not disengage when brakes were applied while exiting the highway.
2020 Ford F-150 recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V373000Jun 9, 2026Electrical System91,198 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097. 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."
Risk: Daytime Running Lamps that do not dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: ,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.
- NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
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. 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 24V852000Nov 8, 2024Other27,678 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. 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."
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.
Remedy: 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.
2020 Ford F-150 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford F-150 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 F-150 a complaint index of 45 and 727 complaints, with a Caution verdict driven mainly by 11 recall campaigns rather than complaint volume alone.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 F-150?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints make up 49% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 59,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 F-150 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2020 F-150, covering issues like headlight software, rearview camera failures, a starter cable nut, and a transmission shift cable clip.
- How does the 2020 F-150 compare to other years?
- The 2020 model ranks 12th worst out of 21 model years tracked, better than 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2018, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- Are there any crash or fire concerns for the 2020 F-150?
- NHTSA logged 19 crashes, 4 fires, and 17 injuries tied to 2020 F-150 complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain and Engine as the top contributing categories.