VehicleVerdict

2020 Ford F-450 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Ford F-450 carries two red flags at once: 33 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 16.5× the F-450 norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). It is one of the F-450 years to avoid.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 9 reports (27% of the total).

33

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other F-450 years?

F-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted33 complaints1990: 2 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 12 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 26 complaints2018: 15 complaints2019: 32 complaints2020: 33 complaints
F-450 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-450 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Ford F-450 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System927%
Transmission515%
Other412%
Electrical System39%
Speed Control26%
Engine26%
Driver Assistance26%
Tires & Wheels26%
Body & Structure13%
Suspension13%
Latches & Locks13%
Steering13%

Does the 2020 Ford F-450 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V633000SeatsAugust 28, 2019 · 639,137 units

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 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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE24014

Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak

The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and newer vehicles. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related problems. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 15, 2025

“The vehicle is experiencing very erratic shifts between gears. The transmission is slingshot shifting in all gears between 3rd through 6th. If this continues it will undoubtedly blow the transmission out. I work with this truck every day and if it blows it will very likely cause a very big safety…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 29, 2024

“My tailgate came open randomly while pulling a trailer. Ford knows about this issue, but is yet to make a recall and not sure they’re going to cover the damage done to my tailgate. The tailgate randomly came open when I had turned a corner, and when I straightened back out made my truck and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 6, 2023

“Unknown. So, on May 30th, 2021 my passenger side main battery blew up for no reason. I took it to Autozone and we checked the system and everything seem fine and had the correct voltage. On July 3, 2021 my truck started smoking. I pulled over, put the truck in park and shut off the truck. I looked…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 3, 2021 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 6, 2024

2020 Ford F-450 — common questions

Is the 2020 Ford F-450 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 33 complaints put the 2020 model at #1 of 19 F-450 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the F-450 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 F-450 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (9 complaints), transmission (5 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2020 Ford F-450 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2020 Ford F-450. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Ford F-450 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Sogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford F-450 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-450 years to avoid are 2020, 2019. The cleanest record among F-450 years belongs to 2010.

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.