2020 Ford F-450 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 F-450 years
The 2020 Ford F-450 has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 4th worst out of 16 model years, with 24 complaints, 11 recalls, and fuel system problems making up 38% of complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other F-450 years.
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2020 Ford F-450 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System9 (38%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (21%)
- Other4 (17%)
- Electrical System3 (13%)
- Engine3 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (13%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report fuel system failures involving metal shards contaminating the system, causing loss of motive power at highway speed.
- Some vehicles experienced a heavy diesel fuel odor for extended mileage before a visible leak appeared near the fuel filter above the valve cover.
- One owner reported an engine compartment fire following a strong fuel smell.
- A steering wheel reportedly failed to respond at 60 MPH, sending the truck sideways into a ditch at 82,000 miles.
- Front tires reportedly wore unevenly and needed replacement after only about 20,000 miles, with vibration worsening from idle to highway speeds.
- The tailgate reportedly opened on its own while towing, contacting a fifth-wheel trailer without any physical input.
2020 Ford F-450 recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V158000Mar 17, 2026Fuel System9,839 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S17. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 18, 2026.
- NHTSA 25V686000Oct 10, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras291,901 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The 360-degree view camera system may not display a rearview image properly in certain lighting conditions.
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module software, free of charge.This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 30, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were mailed May 19, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 13, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V626000Sep 19, 2025Steering115,539 vehicles
Steering:column
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column, and repair or replace the upper shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S94. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 23, 2025.
2020 compared with other F-450 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford F-450 reliable?
- Compared to other F-450 model years, the 2020 ranks 4th worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Fuel System complaints make up 38% of reported issues.
- What problems does the 2020 Ford F-450 have?
- NHTSA complaints show Fuel System issues (38% of complaints, median failure mileage 103,000), followed by Transmission & Powertrain problems (21%, median mileage 78,500) and Electrical System issues (13%).
- Does the 2020 Ford F-450 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2020 F-450, covering the fuel system, steering column, transmission, rearview camera, and windshield wipers. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 F-450 compare to the 2022 F-450?
- The 2022 F-450 has the highest Complaint Index at 100 and is also rated Avoid, while the 2020 F-450 has a Complaint Index of 80, making 2022 the worse of the two.