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ProblemsByVinFile / 2020-FORD-F-350NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2020 Ford F-350 problems
The 2020 Ford F-350 has 182 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2020 Ford F-350 has 182 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 47 complaints, typically surfacing around 68,813 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 F-350?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Steering: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,200–125,924 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2020 Ford F-350? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 47 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,813 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
steering — 35 owner reports
· tends to show around 65,595 mi · ~$700 to fix
fuel system — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 120,687 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
body — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 5,007 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 65,595 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 F-350· powertrain
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse the vehicle, the engine revved but the vehicle would not move. The power train malfunction warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with number one…
On 3 occasions since I bought the pu new on july 24th, 2020 I experienced what the Ford dealer now calls death wobble. The first time happened on sept 2nd while driving down hill pulling my trailer at about 50mph. When I stepped on the brake the steering wheel and brake pedal…
The transmission slips and hard shifts. I honestly believe the dealership knew and sold it to us knowing since we found out afterwards it's a known issue and in the bulletin about the truck.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and the vehicle lost motive power. After the failure, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was…
Had a problem with your 2020 Ford F-350?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 F-350 trucks equipped with 7
Inner tire contact with the body could result in a tire blowout, potentially causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will rebuild the rear axle as a Wide Track axle on vehicles already built. For remaining vehicles, body builders will be given the option to accept the base axle and build a different second unit body that meets Ford's specifications or have the rear axle rebuilt as a Wide Track axle, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed on October 23, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S57.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Ford F-350 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 182 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Ford F-350 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2020 Ford F-350?
The 2020 Ford F-350 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,200–125,924 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Ford F-350?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 47 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 68,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Ford F-350 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 182 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 68,813 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Ford F-350?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 47 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 68,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 68,813 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-350 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Ford F-350?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 182 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Ford/F-350.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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