KnownCarProblems2020 Ford Transit Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Transit, most often about the seats (32% of complaints). It is 4th of 14 Transit model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.
Most common 2020 Ford Transit problems
Seats
27 complaints · 32%Transmission
18 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and came to a complete stop in traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed with internal…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and shifting into drive, the vehicle failed to accelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission coolant was leaking, and that the…
Electrical
14 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 3,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument panel.
Vehicle instrument cluster intermittently loses power, both while vehicle is in motion or while stopped. Instrument cluster ceases to display vehicle speed, engine RPM, engine temp, and fuel level, as well as all other info that is typically displayed. This condition can last seconds or several minutes at a time. If…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the AWD and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the actuator and sensor needed to be replaced, and a software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit equipped with hankook tires, tire line: dynapro ht, tire size: 205/75/16, dot number: (na). The contact stated that while pulling into a gas station there was a thumping noise coming from the trailer. The contact inspected the trailer and observed that the front driverâs tire was…
Steering
6 complaints · 7%Upon starting the vehicle in the driveway a steering assist warning showed in the vehicle information area. It was stationary. The power steering did not function and the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. Next day started vehicle without steering assist warning appearing and the power steering was…
Since purchasing the van, the steering wheel has occasionally felt sluggish and heavier to turn at certain times than others. The final time it was nearly impossible to turn and felt almost locked, which is obviously a huge safety issue. This has occurred while starting the engine at random times and impedes driving…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 7%Purchased new AWD and noticed vehicle does not have wheel well covers, I purchased the AWD because I live on a dirt road and want to take out on unpaved roads, I've noticed the area has collected large amounts of dirt and rocks. If I'm driving on a highway a big chuck could fly out and possibly damage cars behind me…
Engine
5 complaints · 6%When starting the car, I hear popping noises sounding like a spark plug and or a tap/pop noise. I hear the noise every couple of days during startup, driving, and at idle.
Driving vehicle on the road and experience transmission slipping, about an hour later it started making whining noise, then gear shifted and vehicle skid. Started making light grinding noise while shifting gears. After cooling, van would shift gears but not move, including reverse. Took to dealership and they said van…
Brakes
5 complaints · 6%The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the right front wheel activated, and the ABS activated while making a hard right turn. The contact…
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 Transit recalls
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: Driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power, or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts. If any loose bolts are found, the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit, and seal will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed february 4, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s54.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020 transit vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD). The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.
Brakes: linkage and cable
Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on september 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on march 14, 2022. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s39.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.
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."
Air bags: side/window
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed august 3, 2020. The recall began january 11, 2021. Owners may contact ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20s35.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020 escape and transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: National van builders will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began may 19, 2020. Owners may contact freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or national van builders customer service at 1-800-527-7477.
Full defect summary
National van builders, inc. (national van builders) is recalling certain vehicles based on 2019-2020 ford transit and 2019 ram promaster vans equipped with freedman go-es foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Transitworks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began may 13, 2020. Dealers can contact freedman seating company for parts and reimbursement information at 1-800-443-4540.
Full defect summary
Transitworks is recalling certain driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 ford transit vans equipped with freedman seating company (fsc) pt foldaway and go-es 3-point foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 209, "seat belt assemblies."
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
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
Questions about the 2020 Ford Transit
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Transit?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: seats (27 complaints); transmission (18 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); electrical (14 complaints, typically around 3,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Transit have?
- 9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 17, 2025 (equipment Adaptive/Mobility). 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 Transit?
- It is 4th of 14 Transit model years by number of complaints, with 84 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.