Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Ford F-150 body problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What stands out
Of the 17 model years of Ford F-150 we track for body problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (13).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2018-2025 F-150 and 2018-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a tailgate step may exhibit a step assembly that binds/will not open or opens/pops up while driving. This could be due to an incorrect adjustment of the tailgate step assembly. Before replacing any components for this concern, follow the revised Tailgate Step Adjustment procedure in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-04.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2023 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty, and 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles may exhibit dust ingress into the cabin through the doors or air extractors. This may be due to the climate control system being in recirculation mode as a result of the recirculation button being on or automatic strategies for heating/cooling efficiency. To minimize dust ingress when driving in off-road or secondary road conditions, make sure that all doors and windows are fully closed and the climate control system is switched to defrost on and the instrument panel and footwell air vents are switched to off. Temperature and fan settings may be adjusted as desired. Alternatively, max defrost can be activated which w
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2022 F-150 and 2017-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles may experience issues with the tailgate center step moulding. If there is an issue with the center molding (warped, damaged condition, loose, or if the molding is missing), the trim cover is now available separately. It is no longer necessary to replace the entire rear step assembly (402A48).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2020 F-150s describe a troubling cluster of body and structural issues. The most dramatic are repeated tailgate failures—latches releasing on their own while driving at highway speeds or when the truck is parked, spilling cargo and causing property damage. Door latches and handles are another serious problem: driver and passenger side doors jam or freeze solid, especially in cold weather, and plastic door handles have detached repeatedly even after dealer replacement.
Water intrusion is widespread. Multiple owners report water leaking from the sunroof area and roof seams during rain, seeping into ceiling panels, seatbelt assemblies, and floorboards. One owner's floorboard stayed perpetually wet and grew mold. Another discovered an underbody panel and fiber shield detached during normal driving.
Corrosion appears prematurely even at low mileage. One owner with 8,000 miles found the rear axle, fasteners, and skid plate rusted despite factory corrosion treatment—deterioration resembling a 15-year-old truck. A separate incident involved the muffler burning a hole through the mounted spare tire.
One owner reports the lane-centering alarm fires constantly on straight roads, generating daily false alerts that distract from driving.
Same Ford F-150 body reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Tailgate opens unintentionally
Tailgate releases and opens on its own while driving or parked, sometimes at highway speeds, with potential for property damage (garage door impact) and loss of cargo.
When: Multiple occurrences; one incident at approximately 45 mph, others while parked or during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate pops open while vehicle is in motion; Tailgate opens while parked; Power tailgate drops on its own
Door latch/actuator failure
Driver-side and passenger-side door latches fail, rendering doors difficult or impossible to open. One report involved a plastic door handle detaching repeatedly after repair.
When: One failure at 40,000 miles; frozen latch reported in cold weather (4°F)
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side door nearly impossible to open; Door latch becomes frozen in cold temperatures; Passenger-side door handles become stuck while parked; Door handle detaches (plastic component)
Repairs/costs cited: Door actuator replaced at dealer; plastic door handle replaced but reoccurred three additional times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA Campaign 17V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure); manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA hotline
Sunroof and roof panel water leaks
Water intrusion from roof area near sunroof control and microphone, leaking through seatbelt assemblies and ceiling panels. Multiple forum reports cited by owners.
When: Reported at 100,963 miles; occurs during rain
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking from top of vehicle near microphone and sunroof control; Water dripping through rear passenger seatbelt assembly; Water exiting microphone/sunroof controls area above driver; Potential to damage seatbelt integrity and create driver distraction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA hotline; no repair documented
Floor pan water retention and mold growth
Driver-side floorboard remains wet, resulting in mold formation on carpet with health implications from mold spore inhalation.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side floorboards stay wet; Mold formation on floor carpet; Potential respiratory health risk
Corrosion on frame and fasteners
Rust and corrosion on rear axle, fasteners, and skid plate despite factory oil spray application for corrosion protection. Occurs at very low mileage.
When: Approximately 8,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rust on rear axle; Corrosion on fasteners throughout undercarriage; Pitting and corrosion on skid plate; Deterioration appearance inconsistent with new vehicle age
Underbody panel detachment
Fiberboard cover and fiber shield detach from underneath vehicle during normal driving, creating potential hazard or debris on roadway.
When: At 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fiberboard cover and fiber shield detach from underbody; Owner able to reattach cover
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reattached fiber shield; dealer did not diagnose or repair
Spare tire heat damage
Muffler heat damages spare tire mounted in vehicle, creating hole in tire and leaving spare unusable.
When: Approximately 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hole burned in spare tire; Spare tire location too close to muffler
Repairs/costs cited: Tire not replaced; vehicle remained parked
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated VIN was not included in related recall; no assistance provided
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2020 Ford F-150?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2020 Ford F-150?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 7,800 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,800; a quarter make it past 65,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Ford/F-150.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.