Is the 2020 Ford F-150 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Ford F-150 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-150?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-150 have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

2020 Ford F-150

● Typical for this model

2020 Ford F-150
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 732
Recalls: 11
Investigations: 1
Top problem: Power train

Complaints per year

2020: 732 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1984	2
1987	2
1989	14
1990	21
1991	306
1992	479
1993	588
1994	700
1995	626
1996	324
1997	2,758
1998	1,381
1999	1,044
2000	1,076
2001	1,236
2002	821
2003	423
2004	2,029
2005	1,112
2006	585
2007	488
2008	369
2009	324
2010	843
2011	2,188
2012	1,781
2013	2,987
2014	1,532
2015	1,711
2016	2,054
2017	1,438
2018	2,307
2019	1,325
2020	732
2021	1,014
2022	592
2023	408
2024	191
2025	105
2026	10
2027	0

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

48% · 355 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle hubs.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

Unknown

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-16

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission was shifting hard, jerking, and downshifting unexpectedly and randomly switching gear.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20

Drive a 2020 Ford f150 with a 2.7 l. XLT with a a 10r80 transmission. I was getting on the highway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-11

Engine

18% · 129 reports

FIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-17

The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle burst into flames. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked for six hours.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-01

Electrical system

12% · 88 reports

Most commonly citing starter assembly and integrated starter(other than propulsion).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Visibility

5% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and glass, side/rear.

INJURY

Forward collision avoidance

4% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing warnings and adaptive cruise control.

CRASH

Safety timeline

11 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

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2019-10-21Seats19V633000 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...

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2019-11-25Electrical system19V805000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-01-13Tires19V903000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-03-10Exterior lighting20V097000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-04-27Power train20V197000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2020-08-25Electrical system20V467000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-150 vehicles.

Remedy: 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.

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2021-02-01Back over prevention20V575000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2021-08-03Recall queryOpen Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
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2022-10-21Visibility22V250000 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.

Remedy: 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2024-12-19Equipment24V852000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

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2025-09-04Back over prevention25V442000 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,...

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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Date not on fileExterior lighting26V373000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 20V097.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6. 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C28.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2020 Ford F-150 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Power train: 355 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 129 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 88 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V373000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 19V633000 · Seats
Recall 19V805000 · Electrical system
Recall 19V903000 · Tires
Recall 20V097000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 20V197000 · Power train
Recall 20V467000 · Electrical system
Recall 20V575000 · Back over prevention
Recall 22V250000 · Visibility
Recall 24V852000 · Equipment
Recall 25V442000 · Back over prevention

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2020 Ford F-150 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Ford F-150 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford F-150?: The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Ford F-150 have?: 11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.