Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford F-450, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, diesel7
- Power train5
- Unknown or other4
- Electrical system3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Engine2
- Suspension1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
- Fuel system, other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 13 2020 F-450 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2020 Ford F-450 failed the safety check 0.34% of the time — 71% less often than the average 2020 passenger car (1.18%). Median odometer at inspection: 40,292 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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 required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2020 Ford F-450: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10240743 | 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. |
| 10189752 | 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 generate contamination that may produce rough shifts. A wrench light is likely to come on, and the transmission may go into safe mode and only operate in seventh gear. As damage progresses, the transmission may only be capable of limited vehicle speed or may not engage in forward or reverse |
| 10179149 | 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) P2002 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to a crack in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) substrate. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the DPF. |
| 10174384 | 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 check engine light due to diagnostic trouble code(s). |
| 10164596 | 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 has a full charge prior to any compressor diagnostics. To support the proper diagnosis of this compressor, the EVDC compressor tool must be used, and the results recorded in the Technician comments field with the warranty claim. This tester will help reduce the potential for misdiagnosis and unnece |
| 10164508 | Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid d |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
Power Tailgate Release Systems
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation