2020 Ford F-350 Sd Problems and Recalls (187 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2020 Ford F-350 Sd is Transmission / driveline (25% of 187 owner reports). There are 16 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 187 complaints · 16 recalls
What problems show up on the 2020 Ford F-350 Sd?
47 of 187 filings named Transmission / driveline (25% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Fuel system (41 reports).
There are 16 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Rear camera / backup safety, Glass / wipers / cameras, Fuel system, and Steering. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2019 has 465 reports on file; this year has 187. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Transmission / driveline 47 complaints · 25.1% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 7
- Fires 3
- Injuries 3
- Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 47 | 25.1% | 2 crashes · 0 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 41 | 21.9% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Steering (STEERING) | 24 | 12.8% | 3 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 10 | 5.4% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 8 | 4.3% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 7 | 3.7% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) | 7 | 3.7% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION) | 6 | 3.2% | 0 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 6 | 3.2% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 72 | 38.5% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 21V087000 was reported 266 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 21V536000 was reported 307 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V087000 was reported 523 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V256000 was reported 580 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 22V644000 was reported 652 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 23V420000 was reported 1,107 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 24V957000 was reported 336 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 25V626000 was reported 1,816 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 25V686000 was reported 1,793 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 26V158000 was reported 788 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2023-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2024-Q3 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2024-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2025-Q1 | Owner reports | 17 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2025-Q3 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2026-Q1 | Owner reports | 11 | |
| 2026-Q2 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2026-Q3 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V365000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20V575000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 20E090000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V087000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V090000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V155000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 21V536000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V087000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V250000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V256000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 22V644000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 23V420000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 24V957000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 25V626000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 25V686000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 26V158000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ21001 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | RQ21002 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | PE24014 |
Safety Recalls (16)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline, Rear camera / backup safety, Glass / wipers / cameras, Fuel system, and Steering.
-
Recall campaign 20E090000
Safety recall 20E090000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.
-
Recall campaign 20V365000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 20V575000
Rear camera / backup safety
- Report date
- Component:
- Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION)
- Consequence:
- Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
-
Recall campaign 21V087000
Safety recall 21V087000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 21V090000
Glass / wipers / cameras
- Report date
- Component:
- Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
- Consequence:
- In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 21V155000
Safety recall 21V155000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 21V536000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 22V087000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 22V250000
Glass / wipers / cameras
- Report date
- Component:
- Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
- Consequence:
- Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. 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.
-
Recall campaign 22V256000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 22V644000
Rear camera / backup safety
- Report date
- Component:
- Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION)
- Consequence:
- 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.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 23V420000
Safety recall 23V420000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 24V957000
Fuel system
- Report date
- Component:
- Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 25V626000
Steering
- Report date
- Component:
- Steering (STEERING)
- Consequence:
- A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
-
Recall campaign 25V686000
Rear camera / backup safety
- Report date
- Component:
- Rear camera / backup safety (BACK OVER PREVENTION)
- Consequence:
- A rearview camera image that does not display properly can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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 October 13, 2025.
-
Recall campaign 26V158000
Fuel system
- Report date
- Component:
- Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
- Consequence:
- High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- 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.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Showing 8 of 187 complaints · page 1 of 8
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle with the ignition key, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); and the VIN was included. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuel pump failure. The vehicle was not repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000(Fuel System, Diesel); because there was no metallic debris found in the fuel system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the recall repair was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
VEHICLE EXTENDED CRANKING WITHOUT STARTING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, AND ONCE STARTED IT WAS LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST WAS IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. SHEEHY FORD SEE ITS A RECALL AND SEE ITS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL IS STATING BUT REFUSING TO FIX IT AND WANT TO CHARGE ALMOST 10K TO DO SO.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The backup camera on the tailgate fails about 50% of the time when shifting into reverse. The screen is black. When it fails, I can sometimes get it to work by opening, then slamming the tailgate. I suspect that there is an intermittent open circuit in the camera system. This presents a dangerous situation when trying to back this very large dual rear wheel vehicle. This is not related to the current recall for another issue with the camera when backing into a darkened area.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
1. High Pressure Fuel Pump 2. All safety is good 3. It has been taken to the dealership and blaming it on the water separator (water/rust in fuel) The codes thrown are towards the High Pressure Fuel Pump 4. No there were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. 5. Dealership did not provide the inspection report
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and towing a dump trailer, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's storage yard, where an independent diesel mechanic performed a diagnostic scan and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a fuel system failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was disassembled and diagnosed with a CP4 pump failure resulting from a water separator failure. The contact was informed that the CP4 pump replacement was not covered and needed to be replaced at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and contacted the dealer, but no further assistance or information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
While towing any trailer with electric brakes it appears the integrated trailer brake controller is briefly applying trailer brakes unexpectedly. Very brief but very hard, resulting in an extreme rearward pull on the truck. It happens at exactly 60 minute intervals, at any speed, uphill, downhill and level flat road. I've had the trailer 7 way plug and wire inspected, no problem found. Next step will be to have Ford dealer inspect truck electronics.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The transmission began malfunctioning by having hard shifting issues and losing power in some gears. An indicator on the dash lit up resembling a mechanics open-end wrench. Research online showed that the vehicle should not be driven and taken immediately to a mechanic or dealership. If driven especially pulling a heavy load like the fifth wheel that I bought the truck to tow the transmission could fail causing a serious safety issue. I immediately took the vehicle to a certified Ford dealership. At the dealership they informed me that parts in the transmission had failed and that it was the same exact condition as shown in recall 20S33. The noted recall was for trucks manufactured in January and February of 2020. My truck was manufactured March of 2020. The time warranty had expired for the vehicle but the mileage warranty was for 60,000 mi and the truck failed at $29,800. The transmission failed due to a manufacturing defect but I was billed over $9,800 for the repair. I have attached photos of the work order and receipt.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and driving around a curve, the steering wheel was turned; however, the vehicle failed to respond and crashed into a guardrail. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V626000 (Steering). There was extreme damage to the underbody of the vehicle, and several parts were separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed a total loss by the Insurance Company. The contact sustained a concussion and neck injury and was taken to the hospital for medical assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2020 Ford F-350 Sd?
Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 47 of 187 reports (25%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2020 Ford F-350 Sd?
NHTSA lists 16 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Rear camera / backup safety, Glass / wipers / cameras, Fuel system, and Steering. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2020 Ford F-350 Sd?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.