2020 Ford F-150: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 517 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, engine, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020- Owner complaints
- 517
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 17
- 15 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Ford F-150: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which F-150 is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Ford F-150. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 20–22 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cylGas | 4WD, RWD | 19 mpg |
| 3.0L 6-cylDiesel | 4WD, RWD | 24 mpg |
| 3.3L 6-cylFlex fuel | 4WD, RWD | 20–22 mpg |
| 5.0L 8-cylFlex fuel | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg |
- The 2020 Ford F-150 was sold in five versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A F-150 that averages well under the EPA 18 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Excessive engine oil consumption
15,000–80,000 miles
Windshield wiper malfunction
21,000–59,000 miles
Underbody shield detaching
28,263–30,000 miles
Door lock actuator failure
40,000–67,000 miles
Sunroof water leaks
42,000–100,963 miles
Airbag cover cracking
45,000–125,000 miles
10R80 transmission failure
53,000–83,000 miles
Brake caliper or line failure
59,000–60,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Ford F-150, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission2035 crashes
The 10R80 ten-speed automatic shifts harshly, slips, clunks, and drops from 6th to 1st without warning. Some trucks lose drive entirely in traffic or at intersections, and several reports describe failures between 53,000 and 83,000 miles, sometimes recurring after a replacement transmission. Dealers describe dark fluid with metal debris and failed CDF drum parts. Five crash reports involve trucks lunging forward or rolling while in Park. A rear differential exploded at highway speed and started a brush fire, and another truck lost control when a rear axle snapped.
Engine59No crashes
Heavy oil consumption is the dominant pattern, mostly on the 5.0 V8. Reports range from 2 quarts in 1,300 miles to 3 quarts every 5,000 miles, and some trucks show a dry dipstick at oil change time. Dealers often call the usage normal or decline warranty coverage, and one was told the engine needed replacing. Separate reports describe the engine shutting off while driving with an Auto StartStop message, plus a knocking noise at low speed. One parked truck caught fire and burned to the frame.
Electrical581 crash
Engines shut off while moving, showing a message to shift to Park and restart, sometimes on trucks with only a few thousand miles. The driver door lock actuator buzzes or stops locking, and fob unlocking can fail on other doors and the tailgate. Radio, APIM, and instrument cluster screens go dark and need replacement, sometimes more than once. Other reports cover charging system warnings, a park brake fault that drains the battery, and rear glass shattering with the defroster on. A dashboard fire on a parked truck burned one person, and one crash involved cruise control not disengaging.
Wipers and visibility52No crashes
Most of these filings concern recall 22V250000: owners received the notice, but dealers had no parts to complete the repair. Backup cameras freeze, turn blue, or go blank, and some owners link this to recall 20V575000 only to find their VIN is not included. The rear window shatters, often right after the defroster is turned on. Sunroofs leak in rain because of failed molding or tracks, and one sunroof exploded at highway speed. A leaking windshield soaking the carpet also appears.
Windshield wipers quit in the rain at highway speed, leaving the driver with little visibility. Others run on their own every 20 to 30 seconds or move slowly and jerk, traced to the wiper motor or the multifunction switch. The driver-side wiper arm can lift off its mount and fly loose. A wiper recall exists, but several reports describe long waits for parts and no loaner, and one says the recall repair left the arms sitting in the line of sight. Rear glass shattering on parked trucks shows up here too.
Body and structure15No crashes
Door latches and lock actuators fail, especially below freezing, leaving doors that will not open or will not stay shut. Replacement actuators do not always cure it, and plastic door handles break off. The power tailgate drops open on its own, including at highway speed. Sunroof leaks drip water through the overhead console and rear seatbelt area, and wet floorboards grow mold. Underbody parts rust early, a fiber shield can drop off at speed, and one exhaust burned a hole in the spare tire.
Airbags96 crashes
Front airbags fail to deploy in frontal collisions at roughly 30 to 55 mph or more, with no warning light beforehand. All 9 complaints include injuries and 6 are crash-related, with reports of back fractures and impacts with the steering wheel. In one crash the side canisters fired but the bags did not inflate. A separate pattern involves the driver airbag cover cracking along the steering wheel seam when the horn is pressed, sometimes recurring after the cover is replaced.
Brakes82 crashes
Brakes lock up on their own at 55 mph, and in one case the truck slid over a guard rail in snow. Another truck lost most braking when the pedal went to the floor approaching an intersection. Around 60,000 miles, reports describe a seized, corroded front caliper piston that overheated a rotor, and a brake line needing replacement. A truck rolling forward while in Park ran over a passenger and caused head injuries. Brake fluid leaks and automatic emergency braking that does not respond also appear.
Acceleration and cruise control41 crash
The truck accelerates without throttle input, either surging ahead on cruise control or lunging forward from a stop once the brake is released, followed by shuddering and fault codes. Automatic emergency braking and collision warning failed to engage in one crash. Another report describes an intermittent engine noise that two dealers could not duplicate. Complaints in this category are few, but every pattern involves unexpected speed or braking behavior.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints F-150 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The transmission is currently at dealership having transmission replaced at only 54,000 miles. The truck started experiencing rough shift, sometimes taking a few seconds to actually go into gears 4-6. While on the highway, I had to use extra caution merging on or off the interstate because of the delay in changing gears. The dealership shop has told me the CDF drum is damaged internally and they are replacing it with a re-manufactured transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
My truck was purchased new and has 43900 miles on it. I have had the vehicle into the dealer once already for the rear end/ transmission slipping. The dealer stated they “ completed a computer update “ and the problem was fixed. The update seemed to help a little, however six months later……issue seems to have returned and I’m seriously thinking there is a defective transmission installed on all the 2020 F150 crew cabs with the 2.7 liter engine.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Check engine light came on after loud rattle began occurring on acceleration. Took it to dealer who found oil to be 7.9 qts (capacity 8 qt)low since last oil change, less than 5000 miles earlier. Ford has known about this issue on their v8s since 2018 and switched out low oil indicator to conceal problem. Oil loss can cause engine seizure which is dangerous.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2023
Since new it has used 3qts of oil every 5000 miles. It has been to two different Ford shops and they say there is nothing wrong with it and refuse to do anything with it. A new engine should not be using oil. I've been a mechanic for over 50 years. No engine that I ever built used oil. This is unacceptable
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
The driver door doesn’t lock or unlock unless opened from the inside. The actuator is more than likely the issue but ford dealership told me it was $185 to diagnose then the total would be around $500 if the actuator is the issue. My truck only has 50,000 miles on it and I can’t get in it without crawling over the seat to open the door.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Wiper motor is non operational. It has been verified by dealer part is non operational. Non operational wipers put myself and others at risk if there would be visual obscurities that would need to be removed during vehicle operation. The only sign was a loud grinding noise for a few wipes prior to operation ceasing.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2022
I remote started my truck via the Ford pass app. The day was 26°. Upon walking out to my vehicle there was a loud bang and my rear glass was broken. My vehicle was backed in to the parking spot. Against a building with no way of anything hitting it from behind.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
How the 2020 compares with other F-150 years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 F-150 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission203259
- Engine5989
- Electrical5878
- Wipers and visibility5222
- Body and structure1529
- Airbags96
Where the 2020 fits in the F-150's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the sixth model year of the F-150's 13th generation (2015–2020).
It includes the 2018 update.
What changed for 2018
- New front and rear styling
- Updated engine lineup
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
22V250000Wipers and visibilityApr 2022
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.
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.
20V467000ElectricalAug 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 vehicles. An incorrect attachment nut may have been used to attach the battery positive (B+) power supply cable to the starter motor, possibly affecting the electrical conductivity, resulting in excess heat and electrical arcing.
Risk: Electrical arcing can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the starter motor B+ power supply attachment nut, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S40.
20V197000TransmissionApr 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
Risk: If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.
20V097000Exterior lightsFeb 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from the "Autolamps" switch position to "Headlamps On." As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
19V903000Wheels and tiresDec 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 trucks equipped with 17-inch spare tires. The spare tire could have been damaged when it was installed on the rim.
Risk: The damage can cause the tire to rapidly lose air pressure or detach from the wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spare tire, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S55.
19V805000ElectricalNov 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and braking or steering assist. The engine could also stall.
Risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S40.
19V633000SeatsAug 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems.".
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
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