VehicleVerdict

2020 Ford Transit problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Ford Transit carries two red flags at once: 105 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.2× the Transit norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance). It is one of the Transit years to avoid.

Seats leads the complaint categories with 27 reports (26% of the total).

105

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

1

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Transit years?

Transit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted267 complaints2001: 1 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 267 complaints2016: 208 complaints2017: 130 complaints2018: 74 complaints2019: 44 complaints2020: 105 complaints2021: 32 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 74 complaints2024: 35 complaints2025: 3 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Transit NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Transit years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Ford Transit problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats2726%
Transmission1716%
Electrical System1413%
Tires & Wheels99%
Other77%
Driver Assistance77%
Steering66%
Engine55%
Brakes55%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Body & Structure22%
Suspension11%
Speed Control11%
Lighting11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2020 Ford Transit have recalls?

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

25V876000OtherDecember 17, 2025 · 86 units

Defect

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.

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.

23V499000Fuel SystemJuly 19, 2023 · 10 units

Defect

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.

21V978000TransmissionDecember 16, 2021 · 4,548 units

Defect

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.

21V631000BrakesAugust 11, 2021 · 30 units

Defect

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.

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.

20V415000AirbagsJuly 17, 2020 · 68 units

Defect

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.

20V250000Seat BeltsMay 5, 2020 · 5 units

Defect

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.

20V222000Seat BeltsApril 20, 2020 · 205 units

Defect

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.

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.

“seat collapse. Available to be inspected. Unable to see over wheel or reach the acceleration and break pedals. Airbag light comes on due to the collapsed seat either cutting the airbag electrical cable, or puncturing the airbag itself. Vehicle has only been inspected by our fleet manager, our in…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 15, 2021

“A few months ago, my 2020 Ford Transit had a transmission issue, and the dealer replaced the torque converter. Now, at 101,300 miles, I’m experiencing loss of power, jerking, and rough shifting, and I have to replace the entire transmission. After researching online, I’ve found that many others…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 25, 2024

“The battery's junction box in the engine compartment is melting. While I was driving, I heard a loud pop, I opened the hood, and saw smoke coming from the junction box. I noticed the box was melting around a fuse. The melting is significant, and the vehicle looked to be on fire. The smoke stopped,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 18, 2022 · fire

“My Tire pressure Monitor give me alert while driving I select to view tire pressures for display show 3 tires fail send reading One of the three back sending reading two stay off For few days same then all tires reading went off just 1 tire send reading on /off every few miles This is first time…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 1, 2026

“Mid 2023 the backup camera would sporadically stop working and produce a blue screen and a message "camera is unavailable contact your dealership". I would check for an update and then it would start working. This has happened 8 times since 2023- 2024, in August 2024 it has quit working completely.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 12, 2023

2020 Ford Transit — common questions

Is the 2020 Ford Transit reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 105 complaints put the 2020 model at #4 of 14 Transit years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Transit years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Transit problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (27 complaints), transmission (17 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints).

Does the 2020 Ford Transit have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Ford Transit. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Ford Transit 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 Transit years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Transit years to avoid are 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2018, 2023. The cleanest record among Transit years belongs to 2001.

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.