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U.S. public vehicle records

2020 Ford TRANSIT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

83 owner complaints analyzed

9 distinct recall campaigns

5,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seats is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 83 complaints (32.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues2934.9%
Transmission and shifting1214.5%
Braking behavior56.0%
Steering behavior56.0%
Engine operation44.8%
Fuel system concerns11.2%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Seats
27
Power Train
17
Electrical System
12
Steering
6
Unknown Or Other
6
Engine
5
Service Brakes
5
Wheels
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seats27
Power Train17
Electrical System12
Steering6
Unknown Or Other6
Engine5
Service Brakes5
Wheels5

Seats: 27; Power Train: 17; Electrical System: 12; Steering: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Wheels: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
16
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
1
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00016
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9991
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2020
8
2021
11
2022
3
2023
31
2024
13
2025
11
2026
6
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20208
202111
20223
202331
202413
202511
20266

2020: 8; 2021: 11; 2022: 3; 2023: 31; 2024: 13; 2025: 11; 2026: 6

Pattern summary

Seats leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 29 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11302124 · 2020-01-26 (January 26, 2020)

NOTICED THAT A PUMP (FUEL???) WAS CYCLING ON WHEN DRIVER DOOR WAS OPENED AND WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED IN IGNITION. PARKING LIGHTS ALSO TURN ON WHEN DOOR IS OPENED. THE PUMP HAS ALSO CYCLED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. CHECKED BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND FOUND THAT ELECTRICAL CABLES THAT LEAD TO SEAT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY RIVETS HOLDING SWIVEL SEAT WHEN THE SEAT IS MOVED FORWARD AND BACK. CAREFULLY MOVED THE SEAT BACK GUIDING THE CABLE BUNDLE UNDER THE RIVETS. THE PUMP NOW DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN THE D…

Owner-reported narrative. 506 miles reported. Look up ODI 11302124 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11310965 · 2020-02-23 (February 23, 2020)

UPDATE TO COMPLAINT NO 11302124 DATED 2/26/2020 SPOKE WITH FORD CUST SERVICE REP REGARDING THE ISSUES AND WAS TOLD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE SEAT AND ELECTRIC SYSTEM. THE SERVICE DEPT CHECKED THE ISSUES ON 2/12/2020. THE SERVICE TECH VERIFIED THAT THE WIRE BUNDLE IS BEING DAMAGED BY THE SEAT BEING MOVED. THE SERVICE TECH WRAPPED THE BUNDLE WITH TAPE AND RE-ROUTED THE BUNDLE. THE SEAT WAS TESTED FORWARD AND BACK BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THE SWIVEL WAS TESTED. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRE BUNDLE AND DRIVER'S SWIVEL SEAT NE…

Owner-reported narrative. 612 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310965 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11353121 · 2020-09-04 (September 4, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2020 FORD TRANSIT CARGO VAN EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES, TIRE LINE: VANCONTACT A/S N/A, TIRE SIZE: 235/65/R16 N/A, DOT NUMBER: 16Y04DR83. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD BEFORE THE VAN BECAME UNSTABLE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE AND VIBRATE. AFTER STOPPING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE SIDE WALL DAMAGE AND TREAD SEPARATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353121 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11360590 · 2020-09-22 (September 22, 2020)

AT 565 MILES I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ONE OF MY VALVE STEMS STARTED RAPIDLY LEAKING AIR. AT 11,400 MILES, ANOTHER VALVE STEM STARTED LEAKING RAPIDLY AFTER STOPPING FOR GAS ON A TRIP. ALUMINUM WHEELS, NEVER TOUCHED ANYTHING WITH THEM. WHEN WILL THE REMAINING ONES FAIL?

Owner-reported narrative. 565 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360590 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11375400 · 2020-11-19 (November 19, 2020)

VAN WAS STATIONARY ON STREET AND FAILED TO START TWO TIMES, BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375400 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11377309 · 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY A STEERING ASSIST WARNING SHOWED IN THE VEHICLE INFORMATION AREA. IT WAS STATIONARY. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT FUNCTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. NEXT DAY STARTED VEHICLE WITHOUT STEERING ASSIST WARNING APPEARING AND THE POWER STEERING WAS APPARENTLY WORKING AGAIN. MOVED VEHICLE TO THE STREET SO IT CAN MORE EASILY BE DRIVEN TO THE MECHANIC IF PROBLEM RE-OCCURS. THE VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE WITH THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM AND HAS TO SIT IDLE AND UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RECTIFIED.

Owner-reported narrative. 46,628 miles reported. Look up ODI 11377309 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11378212 · 2020-12-07 (December 7, 2020)

THE PAINT AND BODY PANELS ARE DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE.

Owner-reported narrative. 146 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378212 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11384353 · 2020-12-21 (December 21, 2020)

SINCE PURCHASING THE VAN, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS OCCASIONALLY FELT SLUGGISH AND HEAVIER TO TURN AT CERTAIN TIMES THAN OTHERS. THE FINAL TIME IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND FELT ALMOST LOCKED, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE AT RANDOM TIMES AND IMPEDES DRIVING AND OVERALL SAFETY AS IT SEEMS TO COME AND GO AS AN ISSUE. THIS HAS OCCURRED BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE IN MOTION.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11384353 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

20V222000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Reported: 2020-04-20 (April 20, 2020)

TransitWorks is recalling certain Driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit vans equipped with Freedman Seating Company (FSC) PT Foldaway and GO-ES 3-point Foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: TransitWorks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2020. Dealers can contact Freedman Seating Company for parts and reimbursement information at 1-800-443-4540.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V250000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Reported: 2020-05-05 (May 5, 2020)

National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van Builders) is recalling certain vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit and 2019 Ram Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: National Van Builders will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or National Van Builders customer service at 1-800-527-7477.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V415000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2020-07-17 (July 17, 2020)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S35.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V575000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V631000 · Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable

Reported: 2021-08-11 (August 11, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.

Consequence: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V978000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

Reported: 2021-12-16 (December 16, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.

Consequence: Driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power, or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts. If any loose bolts are found, the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit, and seal will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S54.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V499000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2023-07-19 (July 19, 2023)

Quality Vans (Quality Vans) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ford Transit vans equipped with Onan QG 2800i EVAP generators, part number 2.8HGLAA-8303A. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.

Consequence: A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Quality Vans customer service at 1-480-464-7007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:Software

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor:

Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

NHTSA campaign record ↗