KnownCarProblems2020 Ford F-350 SD Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD, most often about the transmission (29% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is 7th of 27 F-350 SD model years by number of complaints and has 15 recalls.
Most common 2020 Ford F-350 SD problems
Transmission
54 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the transmission shifted excessively hard. The vehicle had previously been taken to the dealer however, the failure…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact stated while placing the vehicle in park (p), he observed that the vehicle was rolling back. Additionally, the vehicle was shifting to a lower gear unintentionally. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local…
Fuel system
48 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350 the contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was quiet, and the vehicle lost power independently. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road while waiting for tow assistance. An independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was…
Steering
35 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: column.
Vehicle hit a rough spot in the highway and the steering wheel started violently shaking causing me to not be able to control the vehicle, brakes were used to slow the vehicle and the issue stopped. Commonly called the death wobble
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45â55 MPH and driving over a bump in the roadway, the contact experienced the death wobble. The contact was unable to hold onto the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was…
Other or unspecified
19 complaints · 10%Vehicle RPM will not drop when taking foot off the gas and in gear. Rpm stays at 1100 and vehicle speeds up on its own. No difference with engine brake on or off. Seems to happen in parking lots or at stop lights when moving at slow speeds 5 to 10 miles per hour. Vehicle will accelerate unless brakes are applied.…
Sudden surging at slow speeds. When trying to idle through an area that is tight, crowded etc. Rpm's will rise to 1,200 or slightly higher.
Engine
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving and approaching a stop, the vehicle lost motive power, the brake pedal depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle rolled into the intersection. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where…
Body and structure
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 2,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact stated that the tailgate failed to remain latched while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate opened independently three times while driving. On one occasion, the tail gate opened when the contact was hauling a trailer and damage the trailer camper generator.…
While driving the tailgate has come unlatched several times. It caused damage to the camper I was towing and the tailgate itself. A 30lb propane cylinder almost rolled out of the truck after the tailgate came down. It has been during highway traveling.
Electrical
11 complaints · 6%While traveling vehicle in motion electric tailgate spontaneously released damaging the tailgate and tow vehicle on 8/8/2020, 8/20/2020 and 9/3/2020. Tailgate released on several occasions while towing on city streets and highway.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford f-350. The contact stated that Ford pass failed to connect and communicate with the system. The telematics control unit (tcu) b157d 89 was inoperable. The information screen was blank. The contact stated that the failure was related to ssm 49292 and customer satisfaction program 24b47. The…
Suspension
11 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: front.
I purchased this truck on 09/23/20. At delivery the steering wheel was not aligned correctly and had to be adjusted. Truck has had a constant vibration that is felt thru the steering and body. The vibration increases with speed. At 1031 miles a repair attempt was made that was unsuccessful, at 3225 miles again a…
Vehicle hit a rough spot in the highway and the steering wheel started violently shaking causing me to not be able to control the vehicle, brakes were used to slow the vehicle and the issue stopped. Commonly called the death wobble
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-350 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.
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.
Transmission: axle assembly
Risk: Driveshaft separation may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the axle housing for deformities, and repair or replace the housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on september 3, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 21s31.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 f-350 super duty pickup trucks equipped with 6.7l diesel engines and dana model 275 rear axles. The rear axle housing may not support the load of the pickup truck and deform, which could result in driveshaft separation.
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."
Equipment: labels
Risk: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire and loading information label, safety certification label, and the truck camper loading document (if applicable), free of charge. The recall began march 23, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s06.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020 f-super duty f350 vehicles equipped with a 6.7l diesel engine, single rear wheels (srw), 4x4 crew cab, long box, and a 12k or 12.4k gross vehicle weight rating. These vehicles may display overstated payload capacity values on the tire and loading information (tread) label, overstated accessory reserve capacity (arc) values on the safety certification label, and overstated weight values on the truck camper loading documentation. If the vehicle is loaded to the payload stated on the tread label, it may exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) or gross axle weight rating (gawr) and overload the vehicle.
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-350 SD
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-350 SD?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (54 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); fuel system (48 complaints, typically around 122,000 miles); steering (35 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-350 SD have?
- 15 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-350 SD?
- It is 7th of 27 F-350 SD model years by number of complaints, with 189 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.