FORD F-250 · model year

2020 FORD F-250

328 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020FORDF-250 carries 328 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 F-250 is power train with 65 filings, followed by steering (39) and fuel system, diesel (28). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2020 F-250, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

328
Complaints
4
Crashes
2
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

328 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN65
STEERING39
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL28
SUSPENSION26
ENGINE25
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM25
UNKNOWN OR OTHER23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
STRUCTURE:BODY9
BACK OVER PREVENTION7
VISIBILITY/WIPER6
VISIBILITY6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
WHEELS3

Recalls (1)

19V63300028/08/2019

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

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

Recent Complaints

20260218FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The fuel tank is leaking fuel from the top where hose connects, it is cracked where the hose barb is connected to the tank

20260214UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving down the FM 112 in Lexington TX. The rear glass exploded. The center glass was not damaged just the glass on both sides

20260211FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and loss of power warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the vehicle sputtered. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with fuel systems failure. The contact was informed that the fuel system needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that a complete fuel system and maintenance needed to be performed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the recall was not associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,050.

Mileage: 120,050

20260211FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

NHTSA Complaint Text (Copy/Paste) Vehicle: 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke Recall: 24S78 – Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Software Update Complaint: Ford has issued Recall 24S78 for the high-pressure fuel pump defect on my 2020 F-250, but the company has not provided an actual remedy. The recall shows as open on my VIN, and Ford’s documentation says a PCM software update is the fix, but Ford released the software and then pulled it back within a week. My dealership confirmed Ford removed the remedy from their system, so they cannot perform the recall at all. This leaves my truck exposed to a known safety defect with no available repair. The high-pressure fuel pump failure this recall addresses can cause sudden loss of power, engine stall, or complete shutdown while driving. Until a working remedy is released, I’m driving a truck that Ford has admitted has a serious safety defect, but they have not provided any fix or timeline. I am requesting NHTSA investigate why t

20260211FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My cp4 fuel pump failed on my 2020 ford f250 and died while towing my 7000lb trailer for my business and had to get towed to shop to find out the entire fuel system needs replaced and ford dealer has it and says because recall 24s78 for my vehicle is on pause that there is nothing they can do about it and I’m stuck without my truck which I need for my business and believe ford is responsible to replace the fuel system with no charge to me when the cp4 pump is such a common failure in my trucks!

20260209ENGINE

While driving cross country, my dash warning light came on and said " In 50 miles your vehicle will lose power and you won't be able to drive more than 5 mph. DEF problem". I spent $70,000 on this vehicle used with 50K miles on it. Recall from 2024, this is unacceptable. Now another recall for steering. The steering column disengagement. I am afraid to drive it. The dealer keeps telling me no fix yet. FORD has no email to complain. I am not sure what can be done. This is my first FORD, never again.

20260209FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving cross country, my dash warning light came on and said " In 50 miles your vehicle will lose power and you won't be able to drive more than 5 mph. DEF problem". I spent $70,000 on this vehicle used with 50K miles on it. Recall from 2024, this is unacceptable. Now another recall for steering. The steering column disengagement. I am afraid to drive it. The dealer keeps telling me no fix yet. FORD has no email to complain. I am not sure what can be done. This is my first FORD, never again.

20260209STEERING

While driving cross country, my dash warning light came on and said " In 50 miles your vehicle will lose power and you won't be able to drive more than 5 mph. DEF problem". I spent $70,000 on this vehicle used with 50K miles on it. Recall from 2024, this is unacceptable. Now another recall for steering. The steering column disengagement. I am afraid to drive it. The dealer keeps telling me no fix yet. FORD has no email to complain. I am not sure what can be done. This is my first FORD, never again.

20260204POWER TRAIN

Transmission had multiple internal failures with c,d,f clutch and intermediate clutch transmission pumping failing. Truck has 85,167 miles

20260203FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Bosch high pressure fuel pump failure at 76K miles. Resulted in being stranded out of state. Dealer could not repair the fuel pump after having the vehicle for over 1 month. Dealer stated fuel pump under warranty. Dealer claimed contaminated fuel was the cause but could not prove it. Warranty denied.

20260130BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V626000 (Steering) and 25V686000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20260130STEERING

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V626000 (Steering) and 25V686000 (Back Over Prevention). The local dealer was contacted and determined that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

20260128POWER TRAIN

2020 Ford F250 with 85,000 miles. We purchased new and all maintenance has been done on time and by Ford Service. Transmission began jerking when going from park to drive (or reverse). Noticeable lunging of the vehicle when putting into gear. This began in December 2025. This is a safety concern if anyone is in front of or behind the vehicle when this happens. The truck jumps. Now the transmission is not shifting gears smoothly when the truck is in motion. This is a known problem with trucks manufactured during this time period with 10R80 transmissions. Ford has been less than helpful in helping me come to a resolution. They tell me there was a TSB sent out. They attempted to reprogram software (at a cost of $424 to me). I will upload the invoice from Ford. This only made the problem worse. They quoted me a "special price" of $8,500 to replace the transmission, however their service department is SIX WEEKS out. For this reason we have chosen to have the transmission replaced at a loca

20260127FireFIRERELATED

The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, he smelled a burning odor, but assumed it was coming from outside. Two minutes later, smoke filled the cabin. No warning light was illuminated. The contact heard flames coming from the dashboard. The contact pulled over and safely exited the vehicle. The contact saw that the engine compartment had caught on fire before the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. A police officer was driving behind the vehicle and witnessed the fire. A police report was filed. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact was unsure whether a fire department report had been filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

20260107FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 76,000.

Mileage: 76,000

20260105FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel), 25V626000 (Steering), and 25V686000 (Back Over Prevention); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced PCM failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260105STEERING

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel), 25V626000 (Steering), and 25V686000 (Back Over Prevention); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced PCM failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20260105BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel), 25V626000 (Steering), and 25V686000 (Back Over Prevention); however, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced PCM failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20251222FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound, and there was excessive smoke coming from the exhaust pipes, before the vehicle shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, where the entire fuel system was replaced due to metal shavings contamination from the high-pressure fuel pump(HPFP). The vehicle was repaired at the owner’s expense. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel), which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement; however, the manufacturer informed the contact that reimbursement could only be provided once the recall remedy was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage

Mileage: 45,000

20251220STEERING

Sometime sudden decrease of power , f250 truck rpm goes high while parking with engine on and now pitman arm broke off causing no control of steering . Having it push safely off the road , contact dealership but no parts to fix and timely how long it takes to get part to fix problem. 2020 ford f250 start but very unsafe to operate with no control of the steering

Compare 2020FORDF-250 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 FORD F-250 have?
The 2020 FORD F-250 has 328 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 FORD F-250?
Yes, the 2020 FORD F-250 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 FORD F-250?
The most-complained component for the 2020 FORD F-250 is POWER TRAIN with 65 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL.
Is the 2020 FORD F-250 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.