KnownCarProblems2020 Ford F-250 SD Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 267 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford F-250 SD, most often about the transmission (29% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is 9th of 27 F-250 SD model years by number of complaints and has 14 recalls.
Most common 2020 Ford F-250 SD problems
Transmission
77 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated while accelerating, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear axle housing was deformed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 40 MPH and failed to properly accelerate. The contact also stated that while shifting into reverse or drive, the transmission seized in tenth gear and then shifted to sixth gear. The contact stated…
Fuel system
64 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel) and 25v686000 (back over prevention); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel) and 25v626000 (steering); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
Steering
46 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of…
Ii was driving my vehicle, aprox 55 MPH on a normal road. I hit a pot hole, the vehicle began to shake violently, I thought it was a flat tire. I managed to safely pull over, inspect vehicle and determined everything "looked" okay. Upon doing some research I saw this is a very common issue with these vehicles, fords…
Suspension
29 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 24,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle experienced a death wobble. The front-end of the vehicle was shaking uncontrollably. The contact pulled over and regained control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle began shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of…
Engine
29 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, another driver on the road informed the contact that the vehicle was leaking diesel fuel with an abnormally strong diesel odor. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle lurched forward and hesitated to accelerate. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the transmission randomly shifted gear and the gear selector failed to match the gear selection. During the failure, the…
Electrical
27 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 9,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, integrated trailer brake control, wiring.
Approximately 100 miles into a journey, while towing a 5th wheel trailer, at approx. 70mph in a 75 MPH zone between carlsbad nm and el paso tx on highway #180, the tailgate of my f-250 opened without warning or reason. I was going straight so it didn't make contact with the trailer so no damage to the truck or…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the engine began to sputter and misfire with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plug wires were faulty and needed to be replaced. The spark…
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The RPM revved up. The brake pedal was applied however, the vehicle was slow to respond and decelerate. Additionally, while reversing the vehicle accelerated without warning. The…
Visibility and wipers
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v250000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while washing the vehicle, he became aware that the windshield wiper arm was fractured. The dealer was…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v250000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Ford F-250 SD recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: software
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 octobe
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: column
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: software
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 23, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24s78.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 f-super duty f250, f350, f450, f550, f600, and 2021-2022 f-650, f750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will mail the owner's manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 21, 2023. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23c20.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 expedition and lincoln navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 f-super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 supercab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 202, "head restraints."
Backup camera: camera
Risk: Lack of a clear rearview camera image can reduce the driver's visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 14, 2023. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-800-1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s51.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 f-super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, and 2017-2020 lincoln continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.
Visibility and wipers: linkages
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on may 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on october 21, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s26.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 f-150, expedition, 2020-2022 super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, and 2020-2021 lincoln navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Transmission: automatic transmission
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on april 7, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22s09.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 f-250 and f-350 super duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
Wheels and tires: tires
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall, resulting in sudden air loss or belt edge separation which could lead to tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s10.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018 f-150, 2018-2020 f-250, f-350, and 2019 escape vehicles equipped with continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
Visibility and wipers: critical fasteners
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began april 16, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21c06.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021 f-150 and 2020-2021 f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 super duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 212, "windshield mounting."
Backup camera: camera
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began november 17, 2020. Remedy became available on february 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on february 1, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20c19.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020 ford f-150, f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, explorer, mustang, transit, expedition, escape, ranger and edge, and lincoln nautilus and corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 111, "rear visibility."
Transmission: torque converter
Risk: An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sogefi secondary diesel fuel filter leak
Summary
The office of defect investigations (odi) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (my) 2015-2021 ford motor company (ford) f-250, 350, 450, and 550 super duty vehicles equipped with 6.7l diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. Odi has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, ford, and the filter manufacturer, allevard sogefi USA (sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 bar, while the second
Rearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance
Summary
On september 23, 2020, ford motor company (ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 cfr part 573 (NHTSA recall no. 20v-575), recalling 620,246 model year (my) 2020 ford f-150, f-250, f-350, f-450, f-550, explorer, mustang, transit, expedition, escape, ranger and edge, and lincoln nautilus and corsair vehicles for a noncompliance with federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 111, rear visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (pcb) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was magna electronics.according to ford's chronology in the par
Power tailgate release systems
Summary
In january 2021, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a recall query (rq21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (my) 2017-2019 f-250/350/450 ford trucks. Besides the recall remedy launched in january 2020, ford also implemented a production update in november 2019.â at the time of the rq opening, odi had received eleven (11) vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs). Odi sent an information request (ir) to ford in february 2021. In numerous meetings after receiving their ir response, ford highlighted the drop in claims since the recall and production update and communicated how they were unable to verify the ownersâ complaints o
Questions about the 2020 Ford F-250 SD
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-250 SD?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (77 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); fuel system (64 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles); steering (46 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-250 SD have?
- 14 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 17, 2026 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Ford F-250 SD?
- It is 9th of 27 F-250 SD model years by number of complaints, with 267 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.