How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Ford F-250?

NHTSA has logged 74 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 F-250, which is 28% of all 263 complaints filed for the model year.

Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Ford F-250?

Yes. Recall 22V256000 covers a transmission washer that can disintegrate and cause metal debris, and recall 20V365000 covers a brittle torque converter damper plate that can fracture.

At what mileage do 2020 F-250 transmission problems tend to show up?

The median mileage at failure among reported complaints in this area is 69,000 miles.

Do the transmission issues cause crashes or fires?

NHTSA data for this complaint area on the 2020 F-250 shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

What kind of transmission symptoms do owners describe?

Owners describe rough or delayed shifting, clunking or lunging in park, hesitation on acceleration followed by surging, and in some cases the transmission seizing at a stop with warning lights on.

2020 Ford F-250 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 74 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Ford F-250, 28% of all 263 complaints for the model year, with a median failure mileage of 69,000. Two related recalls (22V256000 and 20V365000) cover transmission gearset and torque converter defects.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 74; 28% of 263
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 69,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report rough or delayed gear shifts, with the truck sometimes getting stuck in a gear before lurching forward.
Some describe clunking or lunging when the truck is put in park or on startup, even with the remote start.
Several report the transmission hesitating or not responding to the accelerator, then surging with a delay when power returns.
Multiple owners describe the transmission seizing in a gear at a stop, sometimes with the check engine light and a wrench warning symbol appearing.
A few note gear noise from the rear axle area when towing or climbing hills under load.
One owner reported the truck rolling forward while in park before someone stopped it by pressing the brake.

When 2020 Ford F-250 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 9, 2020, latest Aug 24, 2026.

74 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Jul 2024 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Ford F-250

NHTSA 22V256000Apr 14, 2022Transmission & Powertrain23,165 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 19, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S22.
NHTSA 20V365000Jun 23, 2020Transmission & Powertrain13 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. 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.
Risk: An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly, free of charge. This recall began July 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S33.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by F-250 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20108 (8%)
201123 (6%)
201218 (6%)
20133 (3%)
20148 (5%)
201519 (6%)
201614 (5%)
201725 (2%)
201815 (4%)
201945 (4%)
202074 (28%)
202125 (15%)
202221 (17%)
20237 (16%)
20246 (16%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Ford F-250?: NHTSA has logged 74 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 F-250, which is 28% of all 263 complaints filed for the model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Ford F-250?: Yes. Recall 22V256000 covers a transmission washer that can disintegrate and cause metal debris, and recall 20V365000 covers a brittle torque converter damper plate that can fracture.
At what mileage do 2020 F-250 transmission problems tend to show up?: The median mileage at failure among reported complaints in this area is 69,000 miles.
Do the transmission issues cause crashes or fires?: NHTSA data for this complaint area on the 2020 F-250 shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
What kind of transmission symptoms do owners describe?: Owners describe rough or delayed shifting, clunking or lunging in park, hesitation on acceleration followed by surging, and in some cases the transmission seizing at a stop with warning lights on.