2020 Ford Transit Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Ford Transit ranks 3rd worst out of 12 model years, with a Complaint Index of 82, 84 complaints, and 9 recall campaigns. Structure & Body issues dominate at 35% of complaints, and owners reported failures at a median of 5,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #3 of 12 Transit years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 84
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14.5 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2020 Ford Transit problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body29 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (21%)
- Electrical System14 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (11%)
- Other7 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (7%)
- Steering6 (7%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Engine5 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rearview camera fails or drops out even after the recall repair was supposedly performed.
- The battery junction box in the engine compartment has melted, with smoke and a loud pop reported while driving.
- A fuel pump or parking lights cycle on unexpectedly when the driver door opens or the key is inserted, tied to damaged electrical cables near the driver seat battery.
- Tires and valve stems have failed at low mileage, including a tire that caused the van to shake and become unstable at highway speed.
- Power steering assist has cut out intermittently, sometimes showing a 'steering assist fault' message and making the wheel very hard to turn.
- The vehicle has failed to start while stationary despite a fully charged battery.
2020 Ford Transit recalls
9 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V876000Dec 17, 2025Other86 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
- 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 23V499000Jul 19, 2023Fuel System10 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Quality Vans (Quality Vans) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ford Transit vans equipped with Onan QG 2800i EVAP generators, part number 2.8HGLAA-8303A. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.
Risk: A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Quality Vans customer service at 1-480-464-7007.
2020 Ford Transit fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14.5 MPG
- Highway
- 19 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,925
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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 Transit years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Transit reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Transit ranks 3rd worst among 12 model years with a Complaint Index of 82 and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Transit years.
- What problems does the 2020 Ford Transit have?
- NHTSA complaints center on Structure & Body issues (35% of complaints), followed by Transmission & Powertrain (21%) and Electrical System problems (17%), including reports of a melting battery junction box.
- Does the 2020 Ford Transit have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2020 Transit, covering rearview cameras, side curtain airbags, seat belt retractors, driveshaft bolts, and a parking brake cable issue, none marked do-not-drive.
- What year Ford Transit should I avoid?
- The 2015 and 2016 Transit have the highest Complaint Index scores (100 and 91) and are both rated Avoid, worse than the 2020 model.
- How does the 2020 Transit compare to the 2021 Transit?
- The 2021 Transit has a much lower Complaint Index of 27 and fewer recalls (4) than the 2020 model, earning a Good verdict versus the 2020's Avoid verdict.