VehicleVerdict

2020 Ford Edge problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Ford Edge carries two red flags at once: 400 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance). It is one of the Edge years to avoid. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 41% of all reports (164 of 400), far ahead of other at 48. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

400

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

21

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Edge years?

Edge NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted3,232 complaints2004: 5 complaints2007: 1,240 complaints2008: 1,462 complaints2009: 307 complaints2010: 777 complaints2011: 2,538 complaints2012: 1,474 complaints2013: 3,232 complaints2014: 514 complaints2015: 959 complaints2016: 1,084 complaints2017: 1,603 complaints2018: 940 complaints2019: 888 complaints2020: 400 complaints2021: 130 complaints2022: 151 complaints2023: 26 complaints2024: 49 complaints
Edge NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Edge years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Ford Edge problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission16441%
Other4812%
Engine4612%
Driver Assistance4211%
Electrical System236%
Visibility & Wipers133%
Speed Control113%
Seat Belts103%
Fuel System92%
Brakes62%
Body & Structure62%
Tires & Wheels62%
Suspension51%
Airbags51%
Steering41%
Seats10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2020 Ford Edge have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V442000Driver AssistanceJune 27, 2025 · 200,237 units

Defect

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.

21V011000TransmissionJanuary 15, 2021 · 147 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.

Consequence

If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

20V575000Driver AssistanceSeptember 23, 2020 · 620,246 units

Defect

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.

20V550000TransmissionSeptember 10, 2020 · 97 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

Consequence

Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ21002

Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance

On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 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 for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October-November 2019 time frame. The Part 573 stated that the issue was brought to Ford's Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for review on May 12, 2020.On July 7, 2020, NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) informed the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a trend of MY 2020 Escape vehicles with rearview camera malfunctions. ODI contacted Ford the next day, providing five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging inoperative rearview cameras. On July 15, 2020, Ford met with NHTSA to discuss the rearview camera issue. In a subsequent August 24, 2020 meeting, ODI and NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) met with Ford to discuss the recall status and additional VOQs. Ford presented rate and scope data for many of its MY 2020 products during the August 2020 meeting indicating high failure rates for certain models.This RQ is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall (20V-575), and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements.The subject reports referenced in the opening resume are identified by the following ODI reference numbers which can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov: 11349813, 11344126, 11342696, 11341486, 11340254, 11337274, 11331444, 11330875, 11329235, 11316960, 11343521, 11341884, 11337226, 11344018, and 11339573.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Waiting in line at drive through and had my foot on the brake and my car surged forward hitting the car in front of me and they hit the car in front of them. I found no recall on my 2020 Edge titanium but this surge has happened before. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 2, 2021 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. WHEN WE WOULD MOVE FORWARD IT WOULD ONLY BE FOR 1 CAR LENGTH. I STOPPED, AND WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED BACK ON FROM THE AUTO START/STOP, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. AT FIRST I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 25, 2021 · crash

“The vehicle is leaking coolant into the engine due to a failing EGR cooler. Problems include, white smoke coming from the engine, severe coolant loss, loss of heat, and foul smell coming from the vents. After a service inspection it was determined that the coolant leak is causing the engine to fail…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 13, 2025

“WHILE IN MOTION WITH NO ROAD TRAFFIC AHEAD OF VEHICLE CRASH DETECTOR ENGAGES, OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY STRAIGHTAWAY. WHILE IN MOTION LANE ASSIST MADE A HARD PULL TO THE RIGHT, DRIVER OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT RESULTING IN COLLISION, OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY STRAIGHTAWAY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 4, 2021 · crash

“Have had issues from day one. Lane centering hugs middle line, back up camera is black at times, when in drive screen is blank, all tools on steering have went out including turn signals, cruse control, collision avoidance flashes when no one is in front of me, brakes due to collision avoidance…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 16, 2021 · crash

2020 Ford Edge — common questions

Is the 2020 Ford Edge reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 400 complaints put the 2020 model at #13 of 19 Edge years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Edge years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Edge problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (164 complaints), other (48 complaints), engine (46 complaints).

Does the 2020 Ford Edge have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Ford Edge. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Ford Edge under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford Edge years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Edge years to avoid are 2013, 2011, 2017, 2012, 2008, 2016, 2015, 2020. The cleanest record among Edge years belongs to 2004.

How safe is the 2020 Ford Edge?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Ford Edge earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.