2020 Ford F-450 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel System, Diesel (8) · Power Train (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford F-450 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2019-08-28 · campaign 19V633000 · 639,137 vehicles
Defect: 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 included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl
Risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
Service bulletins (7)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-23 · 25N10S1 · Other
certain 2017-2025 f-450 – f-600 chassis cab upfitted with an aerial bucket frame rail crack
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-06-08 · SAN-Vol1 I1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the service awareness newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a tsb, ssm, gsb, or other electronic communication. this article includes information on warranty, technical service tips and other service information.
Power Train 2021-03-31 · 21B03-S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain 2020 model year super duty f250-f600 vehicles equipped with a 10r140 transmission - number one planetary and ring gear assembly- ref cust sat program 21b03 dated march 3, 2021 in all of the affected vehicles, a distressed no. 1 planetary needle bearing inside the ring gear assembly will gen
Engine And Engine Cooling 2020-08-19 · TSB 20-2272 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2019 transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2l engine, 2018-2020 f-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.0l engine, 2017-2020 super duty vehicles equipped with a 6.7l engine built on or after 13-may-2017 may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2
Engine And Engine Cooling 2020-04-23 · 20B15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
in some of the affected vehicles , a piston oil cooler bracket may have been damaged during engine assembly. a damaged piston oil cooler bracket may allow the piston oil cooler to detach. this can lead to low engine oil pressure and may result in intermittent engine noises and/or illumination of the
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2019-08-14 · SSM 48135 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2013-2020 vehicles equipped with an evdc air conditioning (a/c) compressor may exhibit poor a/c performance/improper climate function. to support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the evdc control valve tester has been provided to each u.s. dealership (339-evdc100). ensure the a/c system
Showing the 6 most recent of 7 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Fuel System, Diesel · 175,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. while the contact's son was driving 25 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that there was failure with the #3 fuel injector. the contact stated that the fuel injectors were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred three days after the repair…”
2026-03-06 · Fuel System, Diesel“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair 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 c…”
2025-10-14 · Steering · 82,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2020 ford f-450. the contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. no warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated that the vehicle had driven independently sideways and then into a deep ditch before coming to a stop. in addition, the contact stated that the ve…”
2025-08-22 · Fuel System, Diesel“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450 the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasona…”
2025-08-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 🔥 fire“vehicle caught fire. fire in the engine compartment after heavy fuel smell/odor. …”
2025-05-02 · Fuel System, Diesel · 104,717 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel). the contact stated that while hauling an rv at 65 mph, with the cruise control feature activated, the message that the "engine has stopped - pull over immediately" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. the vehicle was s…”
2025-02-26 · Fuel System, Diesel · 184,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine ran for several minutes before the vehicle independently shut off. no warning lights were illuminated. the contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. the vehicle was towed to the residence. the local dealer was cont…”
2025-02-13 · Fuel System, Diesel · 40,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle, with the "reduced engine power" message displayed on the instrument panel. the contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway, and the vehicle shut off. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to res…”
2025-02-03 · Fuel System, Diesel · 103,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v957000 (fuel system, diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that while starting, the "low fuel pressure" message was displayed. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ve…”
2025-01-23 · Engine · 87,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 ford f-450. the contact stated while driving 70 mph, the vehicle vibrated and the vehicle briefly lost motive power. the vehicle returned to normal functionality once the accelerator pedal was depressed. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power train control module (pcm). the vehicle was re…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.