2020 Ford F-150 Transmission Shift Cable Recall
Ford has issued a recall (NHTSA ID 20V197000) for certain 2020 F-150, Ranger, and Expedition vehicles. The recall addresses a potentially unseated transmission shift cable lock clip, which could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly, even when the shifter indicates 'Park'.
S'applique également à
- Ford Expedition
- 2020
Ford has announced a 2020 Ford F-150 recall affecting certain F-150, Ranger, and Expedition vehicles. This recall, identified by NHTSA ID 20V197000 and Ford's internal number 20S18, concerns a critical issue with the automatic transmission shift cable.
Why this matters
The primary concern with this issue is the risk of unintended vehicle movement. If the transmission shift cable lock clip is not properly seated, the vehicle's actual gear may not match the position selected by the driver on the gear shifter. This discrepancy can lead to the vehicle moving unexpectedly, even if the driver believes it is in 'Park' and the parking brake is not engaged. Such unintended movement significantly increases the risk of injury to occupants or bystanders, as well as the risk of a crash.
What's being recalled
This recall specifically targets certain 2020 Ford Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. Additionally, some 2020 Ford Expedition vehicles fitted with a "police" package are also included. The defect lies with the transmission shift cable lock clip, which may not have been fully seated during assembly.
How to check if your vehicle is affected
Owners of 2020 Ford F-150, Ranger, or Expedition (police package) vehicles should check if their vehicle is part of this 2020 Ford F-150 recall. You can do this by contacting Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and referencing recall number 20S18. Alternatively, you can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at www.safercar.gov and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to confirm if your vehicle is affected by recall 20V197000.
Manufacturer's remedy
Ford will notify owners of affected vehicles. Dealers will inspect the transmission shift cable locking clip installation. If necessary, they will correct the installation to ensure the clip is fully seated. This repair will be performed free of charge to the owner. The recall notification process began on April 27, 2020.
Source: NHTSA Recall 20V197000
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the specific problem with the 2020 Ford F-150 transmission?
- The issue involves the transmission shift cable lock clip, which may not be fully seated. This can cause the transmission's actual gear to differ from the gear indicated by the shifter, leading to unintended vehicle movement.
- Which Ford models are affected by recall 20V197000?
- Recall 20V197000 affects certain 2020 Ford F-150 and Ranger vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions, as well as some 2020 Ford Expedition vehicles with a 'police' package.
- What is the remedy for the transmission shift cable lock clip issue?
- Ford dealers will inspect the transmission shift cable locking clip. If it is not properly seated, they will correct the installation. This repair will be provided to owners free of charge.
- What are the potential consequences of the unseated transmission shift cable lock clip?
- The main consequence is unintended vehicle movement, which increases the risk of injury or a crash. This can occur if the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear position and the parking brake is not applied.
What Ford F-150 owners report
Counted from the records in our database across 46 model years.
- 39,812
- Owner complaints
- 226
- Recalls
- 2,759
- Service bulletins
- 1,679
- Crashes reported
- 2,104
- Fires reported
- 1,496
- Injuries reported
The 2020 model year
742 complaints, the 21st most of 46 model years on file. Owners reported 21 crashes, 4 fires and 18 injuries for this year, which also has 11 recalls on file.
Power Train, the system this article covers, accounts for 9,483 of 39,812 complaints (24%), including 360 for 2020.
Complaints by model year
| 1997 | 2,758 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,029 | |
| 2011 | 2,194 | |
| 2012 | 1,784 | |
| 2013 | 2,994 | |
| 2014 | 1,539 | |
| 2015 | 1,746 | |
| 2016 | 2,093 | |
| 2018 | 2,327 | |
| 2020 | 742 |
Most-reported systems
- Power Train — 9,483
- Engine — 4,618
- Electrical System — 4,362
- Service Brakes — 3,838
- Vehicle Speed Control — 2,924
Latest recalls for the 2020 model year
- 26V373000 — Exterior Lighting (Jun 2026)
- 25V442000 — Back Over Prevention (Jun 2025)
- 24V852000 — Equipment (Nov 2024)
Recent owner reports about power train
Transmission has hard/harsh shifts and delayed gear engagement that began around 56,000 miles and have become much worse at 68,000 miles. The delay in engagement when accelerating from a stop, pulling into traffic or merging is a safety concern.
Read owner complaints →while driving on the highway, my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 transmission experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of power. The transmission failed to shift slipped gears, and left the vehicle completely neutralized in traffic.
Complaints are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are unverified, and counts depend on how many vehicles were sold, so they are not a failure rate.
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