2020 Ford F-250 SD: complaints, problems and recalls

TRUCK HAS A BAD WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEN IT HITS BUMPS AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT HAS 2,000 MILES ON IT. I THINK SOME FOLKS HAVE CALLED THIS A "DEATH WOBBLE". WHEN IT HAPPENS IT COULD EASILY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT HAS TOO MUCH SLOP IN IT EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND I'VE SEEN THIS MENTIONED MANY TIMES ON THE INTERNET. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE JUST OLD TRUCKS, BUT MINE IS BRAND NEW.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11306302 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE A TRAILER IS ATTACHED TO THE TRUCK, THE TAILGATE OPENS AUTOMATICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME BUT DOES OCCUR OFTEN WHILE TOWING. IT TYPICALLY OPENS WHEN FIRST STARTING TO MOVE, WHETHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. IT MAY OPEN REPEATEDLY AFTER CLOSING AND ATTEMPTING TO START MOVING AGAIN.

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349576 at NHTSA ↗

TAILGATE OPEN WHILE TOWING TRAILER.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349577 at NHTSA ↗

TAILGATE OPENS WHILE TOWING A TRAILER

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11349578 at NHTSA ↗

MY BRAND NEW 2020 F250 LARIAT WAS DELIVERED TO MY HOME YESTERDAY. IT WAS DRIVEN ROUGHLY 80 MILES FROM DENVER TO COLORADO SPRINGS BY THE SALESMAN WHO SOLD IT TO ME, BUT IS OTHERWISE UNUSED. I NOTICED LAST NIGHT THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE RUNNING TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL APPEARS TO BE TOO LONG. AS A RESULT IT HAS A LOOP IN IT THAT IS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE MAIN LEAF SPRINGS AND A SECONDARY SPRING THAT I BELIEVE ENGAGES WHEN THE TRUCK IS FULLY LOADED. IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT UNDER A FULL LOAD, THE BRAKE CABLE IS AT RISK OF BEING PINCHED…

Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353127 at NHTSA ↗

MICHELIN TIRE ON FRONT CUPPING WITH 1350 MILES.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354138 at NHTSA ↗

BACKING UP IN REVERSE WITH A TRAILER. CLEAR SKIES, DRY WEATHER AND DURING DAYLIGHT. TAILGATE OPENS AND HITS THE TRAILER JACK CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO TAILGATE, TAILGATE RAIL, PULL OUT STEP.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,005 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360169 at NHTSA ↗

ON AUGUST 9, 2020 THE ELECTRIC AUTOMATIC TAILGATE OPENNING DEVICE MALFUNCTIONED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2020 F-250 TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER AT THE TIME. THE TAIL GATE OPENNED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY TRAILER AND TRUCK TAIL GATE. WHILE I WAS DRING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AT LESS THAN 15 MILES PER HOUR, WITH NO TRAFFIC, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, I STILL HAD TO BLOCK TRAFFIC AND IF THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURRED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES FAR MORE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY IMPACT, INCLUDING INJURY AND POSSIBLE DEAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360411 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2020-06-23 (June 23, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle.

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.

Reported: 2020-09-23 (September 23, 2020)

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. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

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.

Reported: 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."

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.

Reported: 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150, 2018-2020 F-250, F-350, and 2019 Escape vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.

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.

Reported: 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.

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.

Reported: 2022-04-14 (April 14, 2022)

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.

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.

Reported: 2022-04-14 (April 14, 2022)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.

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.

Reported: 2022-08-26 (August 26, 2022)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2020 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and 2017-2020 Lincoln Continental vehicles equipped with the 360-degree camera system. Degradation of the camera's anit-reflective lens coating can lead to a foggy or cloudy rearview camera image.

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.

Reported: 2023-06-09 (June 9, 2023)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."

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.

Reported: 2024-12-20 (December 20, 2024)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.

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.

Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)

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, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Reported: 2025-09-19 (September 19, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column upper shaft may detach from the steering column and result in a loss of steering control.

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.

Reported: 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The 360-degree view camera system may not display a rearview image properly in certain lighting conditions.

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.

Reported: 2026-03-17 (March 17, 2026)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, 2021-2022 F600, and 2022 F750 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.

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.