2020 Ford Transit Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#4 most-complained of 12 Transit years
The 2020 Ford Transit has a complaint index of 73, ranks 4th worst of 12 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. It has 84 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, 3 fires, and 1 crash, with Structure & Body issues leading at 35% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 84
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14.5 city / 19 hwy
Top 2020 Ford Transit problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the battery junction box in the engine compartment melting, sometimes with smoke and a loud popping sound while driving.
- Steering assist faults appear with warnings like 'steering assist fault service required,' making the wheel very hard or nearly impossible to turn, then resolving after several minutes.
- Valve stems on aluminum wheels have rapidly leaked air at very low mileage, with the problem recurring on multiple wheels over time.
- A rearview camera recall repair was delayed due to backordered parts, and one owner reported a crash tied to the visibility issue.
- Electrical gremlins include parking lights and a fuel pump cycling on by themselves when the driver door opens or the key is inserted, along with intermittent no-start events with 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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Transit a complaint index of 73 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among 12 model years covered. It has fewer complaints than the 2015 and 2016 Transit but more than 2018, 2019, and 2021.
- What problems does the 2020 Ford Transit have?
- Structure & Body complaints make up 35% of all reports, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 21% and Electrical System at 17%. NHTSA also lists 9 recalls, including issues with driveshaft bolts, airbags, seat belts, and rearview cameras.
- Does the 2020 Ford Transit have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2020 Transit, covering AWD driveshaft bolts, parking brake cable clearance, side curtain airbag diffusers, seat belt retractors, and rearview camera wiring, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2020 Transit compare to other years?
- The 2020 Transit's complaint index of 73 is worse than 2017 (64), 2018 (45), 2019 (9), 2021 (18), 2022 (36), and 2024 (55), but better than 2015 (100), 2016 (91), and 2023 (82).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Ford Transit?
- The 2020 Transit is EPA-rated at 16.5 mpg combined, 14.5 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,925.