Ford F-150 Complaints (2020)

742 consumer complaints on file.

#11755994August 10, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission issues that are in line with what seems to be a well known 10R80 issue with a poorly engineered CDF drum. Transmission will randomly shift from a high gear down to first generating a ton of noise and impacting the handling. It has not become a permanant failure yet but is an extremely well known issue that always results in a transmission rebuild with updated/correctly engineered components at MY expense. I am worried it will cause a rear wheel lockup or a damaging amount of engine rpm one of these days. It is sporadic and isn't something that has been duplicated by a technician due to it being isolated and completely random in occurrence. It definitely seems to do it more often when it is cold out.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755513August 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Our 2020 Ford F150 transmission failed at 80k miles. Ford USA offered to pay half of the repair cost but is not willing to take full accountability on a transmission that was never was put under stress. Our truck never towed anything and was only use to drive from the shop to the job site and with only 1 up to 2 passenger only max. Per google research: The 2020 Ford F-150, equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission, commonly experiences harsh, erratic, or delayed shifting, sudden jerking or lunging between gears, and gear slippage. These issues stem from software calibration flaws in the adaptive learning system or mechanical wear on internal components. Common Symptoms and Issues Rough Shifting: Hard, delayed, or clunking engagement when shifting between lower gears, especially on cold starts. Lunging or Hesitation: Sudden forward surges or hesitation when trying to accelerate from a rolling stop. Gear Slippage: Temporary loss of power delivery or failure to catch the next proper gear cleanly. Shift Cable Clip Recall: A limited recall addressed a faulty shift cable lock clip where the gear indicator might show a different gear than what was actually selected, increasing rollaway risks
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755518August 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the message on “Powertrain Malfunction – Reduced Engine Power” was displayed on the Ford App. After the message was displayed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. A certified mechanic was contacted and stated that the failure was associated with the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755560August 7, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Camshaft had to be replaced a couple years ago, followed by cam shaft sensor. Then another $6,300 of "critical" issu3s to be fixed. The vehicle is 5 1/2 y/o. Absolutely ridiculous that this amount of money is required for such a young vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754661August 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failed. Truck jerks at stop. Transmission went out at 68,000 miles. My dad has a 2019 with same problem and went out at 72,000 miles. Someone needs to hold ford accountable for this. Extended warranty didn't want to pay the full price. Now I am out of pocket $1,800. Going to file a lawsuit against Ford and the extended warranty company
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754150August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
While driving truck down highway with cruise set at 68mph . I was in a bit of incline( not towing) vehicle violently downshifted from 10th to 1st . Service powertrain wrench came up on dash . Vehicle was derated . I came to a stop and shut down key off restarted . Vehicle operated normally again. Took vehicle to ford dealership where they could not find any issue . They also installed a pcm update at that time. Since then the vehicle has a harsh 3-4,5,6 shift and flaring in 7,8,9&10. I am convinced and concerned that the transmission is hurt due to what happened. Ford quoted 13,000.00 to install a new transmission. The truck has never been abused. I don’t wish what is happening to me on anyone as a inexperienced driver in winter conditions would have caused a major accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11754179August 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission….very hard shifting and unexpected downshifting at random times. Needs to be a recall and fix on transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753889July 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transmission would not shift out of second gear turning onto a busy highway and my pregnant wife and I were almost rear ended. It then went to first and hard shifted out of gear putting excessive pressure on our midsections. The cause most likely is a well known issue that ford engineers knew about and negligently ignored for several years with the faulty 10r80 transmission. It is not known whether it was a valve solenoid issue or the cdf drum issue but both are very common issues. My wife could have had issues from the stress of the incident and maybe the pressure from the seatbelt. The probelm has not been confirmed or inspected but i cant not afford testing since transmission doagnostics are extremely expensive. I have attched a summary from my own diagnostics of similiar events as the problem still exists. The system is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753035July 27, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I. Vehicle Purchase and Maintenance History In September 2020, I purchased this 2020 Ford F-150 new. II. Chronology of Defect and Repair Attempts Around 33,000 miles, the vehicle began exhibiting severe excessive oil consumption, an audible engine noise, and visible blue/gray smoke puffs emitting from the exhaust system. The following timeline outlines my exhaustive efforts to have Ford remedy this under warranty: • March 14, 2025 (36,370 miles): First formally reported the noise and exhaust smoke to Service Advisor Shelby Ray. The dealership initiated an official Ford Oil Consumption Test. I was instructed to drive 1,000-mile increments and return for unrecorded level checks. • May 21, 2025 (38,200 miles): Second formal report. The dealership performed Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 192365 CP:6006, an established protocol recognizing inherent oil consumption flaws in this specific 5.0L engine. • August 7, 2025 – September 11, 2025 (41,119 miles): Third formal report. The vehicle was left at Tony Serra Ford for over a month (RO # 6034434) to perform engine repairs mandated by Ford tech lines. A loaner vehicle was provided. • December 9, 2025 (44,144 miles): Fourth formal report. The defect was noted as unresolved and still present between oil changes. The engine was found to be 2 quarts low on oil upon arrival. A new tech line case was opened. • May 7, 2026 – Present (48,086 miles): Fifth formal report. The engine noise and exhaust smoke. Truck has been at dealer for 3 months with no resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752875July 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My transmission hard shifts from 1st to 3rd. It really switches in 2nd gear. It also hard shifts into 5th and 8th gear. Sometimes it misses the gear almost like I’m in neutral. This happens when I’m in 7th or 8th gear. Plus, if I’m on the highway and I need to accelerate, I feel a hard clunk while changing gears. This started in May.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752672July 24, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Due to cd drum known issue with these transmissions, they are unsafe to drive, pulling into traffic truck will not accelerate while it searches for gears. I can not drive this truck with this known issue, it's to dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751854July 21, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
This vehicle has occasional issues where the vehicle camera freezes and blacks out when backing up. This vehicle has a similar issue to another recall that was issued on a newer vehicle in our fleet, which was a 2022 Ford F-150 and was included in the NHTSA Recall 25V315/Safety Recall Notice 25S49. This vehicle has been regularly serviced and inspected by the Dublin City Shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751538July 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
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. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions over the years for the recurring transmission failure. The transmission software updates were performed but the failures persisted. The vehicle later stalled and was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission CDF drum had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was later towed to the local transmission specialist who confirmed the failure and replaced the CDF drum and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751638July 20, 2026
POWER TRAIN
transmission vibration between 30-45 mph, erratic shifting, sometimes harsh.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751265July 18, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The transmission has failed. The vehicle has barely 100,000 miles. I understand there are multiple class action lawsuits stating Ford knew of the issues with the transmission, yet still allowed it to be sold. The dealership has said this isn’t their problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751295July 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The skid plate came off. It’s fabric screwed in by metal so it rips off over time. I know and have seen many other Ford owners who have experienced this same problem. It’s a hazard and a concern that will keep occurring if you replace it with the same fabric and it’s costly to replace with a metal skid plate. It’s a manufacturing problem that should be recalled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750996July 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
At about 15000 mile (under warranty) I had to take it to the dealer for hard shifting. At around 58000 mile and still under warranty I started to have intermittent hard shifting and searching for gears. At 63000 (out of warranty) I had complete transmission failure with gear lockouts occuring on 2nd and 7th gear and hard shifting. Applied for to FORD for after warranty assistance and was told to keep driving the truck while they worked it out with Customer Service Assistance. AI is reflecting to STOP driving the vehicle immediately as it is a known safety issue from FORD. WTH!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751181July 17, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was idling abnormally rough. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, however the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750911July 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
the 10 speed transmission at low transmission temps shifts extremley hard to the point where it will down shift in a slow acceleration back to first gear and chirp the tires, in the rain this could cause me to lose traction in adverse weather conditions. Somtimes it will shift into to neutral and not accelerate at all for a few seconds before shifting back into first gear, making it dangerous if I im trying to cross a road and the truck essentially stalls for a few seconds blocking the road way. The last full service oil change i had said the transmission fluid was correct. on online forums i have seen a lot of the same issues with other owners. I asked ford dealership about it and they told me to drive it until a warning light comes on. this sounds like some issue with the transmission itself and not a wear and tear issue as i have 100,000 miles on the truck and do very little towing with it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750926July 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Unknown
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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