Various 2020-2026 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 stored in the passenger door module (PDM). This may be due to the wiring connector from the mirror to the BLIS module. If diagnostics lead to an internal mirror wiring harness fault, a new lower level BLIS light pigtail is now released for service. It is not necessary to replace the exterior mirror as
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Ford Transit electrical problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 12 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Ford Transit, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Ford Transit in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
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 ↗Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC). This may also be accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B118C:11 and/or B118C:15 stored in the driver door module (DDM), and/or B118D:11 and/or B118D:15 stored in the passenger door module (PDM). This may be due to the wiring connector from the mirror to the BLIS module. If diagnostics lead to an internal mirror wiring harness fault, a new lower level BLIS light pigtail is now released for service. It is not necessary to replace the exterior mirr
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2131 to add reprogram for later level software, new Steps 1-4 in Service Procedure. Updated Part List with 3 superseded part numbers. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement * Harsh shift * Delayed shift * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P0761, P0762, P0766, P0767, P0771, P0772, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704, P2705, P2707, P2708, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6 and/or P07F7 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) or transmission
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Electrical fires are the most serious problem. Multiple owners report the engine compartment battery junction box melting around fuses, producing smoke and fire risk while driving. One owner with a fleet of six vehicles reports this happened to all of them; another describes the harness itself burning. Ford declined warranty coverage despite acknowledging the issue in emails.
The driver seat's wiring bundle gets chaffed and damaged by the seat's rivets when you move the seat back and forth. This can affect the airbag, seat belt, and sensor operation. Dealers have wrapped damaged bundles with tape and rerouted them, but the underlying design flaw remains untouched.
Instrument clusters intermittently black out—losing speed, RPM, temperature, and fuel displays—sometimes for seconds, sometimes for minutes. If cruise control is active, the vehicle slows unexpectedly. Warning lights flash when the cluster comes back online.
Battery problems plague these vans: batteries deplete within a week and won't hold charge, requiring constant recharging. Some owners report the van simply won't start despite a fully charged battery.
Fuel pumps and engines cycle on unpredictably when you open the driver door or insert the key—behavior Ford claims is normal and unchangeable for the 2020 model.
Additional electrical failures include headlights staying on despite the switch being off, backup cameras failing, and door open alerts triggering false horn honks. One vehicle caught fire while parked and running in the owner's driveway.
Failure modes owners describe
Battery junction box melting
Engine compartment battery junction box melts around a fuse, causing smoke and fire risk. Owner reports this has occurred in six vehicles in their fleet, with burnt harnesses in severe cases. Ford declines warranty coverage despite acknowledging the issue.
When: While driving; reported on multiple vehicles in owner's fleet
Symptoms owners cite: loud pop from engine compartment; smoke coming from junction box; melting junction box around fuse; harness burnt in severe cases
Repairs/costs cited: Owner has receipts for repairs and technician acknowledgment; Ford declines coverage under 3-year extended warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford apologizes via email but refuses warranty coverage and declines to comment on safety danger; recalls exist for this issue on other Ford models
Driver seat harness chaffing and damage
Wire bundle under driver seat is damaged by seat rivets when seat moves forward and backward. Damage can affect seat airbag, seat belt, and weight/orientation sensors. Dealer wrapped harness with tape and rerouted it, but owner questions adequacy of repair and whether swivel seat was tested.
When: Discovered early 2020 with new swivel seats on 2020 model
Symptoms owners cite: damaged wire bundle under driver seat; chaffing visible on seat rivets; potential fuel pump activation issues linked to harness damage
Codes mentioned: 612 DRIVERS SEAT HARNESS IS CHAFFING ON SEAT RIVETS
Repairs/costs cited: Harness wrapped with high-temperature cloth electrical tape and rerouted to clear seat rivets; forward/backward testing performed but swivel motion not tested
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSBs, SSMs, or GSBs found; fuel pump/engine activation on door opening and key insertion deemed normal for 2020 Transit per Ford
Fuel pump and engine systems activation on door/key operation
Fuel pump cycles on when driver door opens, when key is inserted, and sometimes without reason after engine shut-off. Parking lights also activate on door opening. Owner considers this a potential fire hazard and normal wear/tear issue.
When: Observed on purchase; 2020 model new behavior
Symptoms owners cite: fuel pump cycling when driver door opens; fuel pump cycling when key inserted in ignition; fuel pump cycling on without apparent reason after engine off; parking lights turning on when door opens
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually repositioned seat cable bundle away from rivets; pump no longer activates on door opening but still cycles on key insertion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford service confirmed behavior is normal for 2020 Transit and cannot be changed
Instrument cluster power loss
Instrument cluster intermittently loses power, both while moving and stopped, causing loss of speedometer, RPM, temperature, fuel level, and other displays. When cruise control is active during loss, vehicle unexpectedly slows down. Cluster resets and displays various warning messages (blind spot assist error, transmission not in park, pre-collision assist error, adaptive cruise not available, park assist error).
When: Intermittent, countless occurrences since January 2021 purchase
Symptoms owners cite: instrument cluster display blackout; loss of vehicle speed display; loss of engine RPM display; loss of engine temperature display; loss of fuel level display; cruise control failure during blackout; unexpected vehicle slowing during cruise control operation; flashing warning messages on cluster reset
AWD and airbag warning lights with recurrent failure
AWD and airbag warning lights illuminate. Dealer diagnosis indicated actuator, sensor, and software update needed. After initial repair, failure recurred and dealer identified need for transfer switch, new airbag, and seat repair kit. Vehicle not repaired and manufacturer provided no assistance.
When: Approximately 68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: AWD warning light illuminated; airbag warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Initial repair: actuator replacement, sensor replacement, software update; recurrence required: transfer switch, new airbag, seat repair kit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but provided no assistance
Headlight on when switch in off position
Headlight comes on despite headlight switch being in the off position. Light turns off with remote button and later comes back on. At night, light goes on and off intermittently, causing blackout situations on the road. Owner notes similar complaints on website and Ford forums.
When: Intermittent, noted during night driving
Symptoms owners cite: headlight on with switch in off position; headlight cycling on and off at night; road blackout during night driving
Battery depletes and fails to hold charge
Battery voltage depletes within a week, requiring frequent charging. Van will not start regularly due to battery depletion. Owner reports this is commonly reported on many forums.
When: Recurring within one-week intervals
Symptoms owners cite: battery voltage depletion within one week; vehicle fails to start regularly; requires frequent external charging
Rear camera and door alert sensor failures
Backup camera stops working intermittently. Rear right-side and side sliding door open alerts false trigger, causing horn beeps while driving in sporadic pattern.
When: Intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: backup camera stops working; false door open alerts on rear right and side sliding doors; false horn honking while driving
Vehicle fails to start with charged battery
Vehicle fails to start while stationary despite battery being fully charged. Occurs on at least two separate occasions.
When: Stationary
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle fails to start; failure occurs despite full battery charge
Engine bay fire
Van catches fire while running in driveway. No further details provided in complaint.
When: While parked and running in driveway
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle fire
Balmar second alternator failure with fire risk
Balmar second alternator (Winnebago-installed charging system on Ford Transit chassis) fails after prior NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-234 repair in July 2023. Failure causes unfamiliar whining sound, complete loss of battery charging, smoke, and strong burning smell from passenger side engine bay. Owner reports multiple cases of alternator failure reoccurring after recall work, indicating initial solution was insufficient. Fire risk remains despite recall repair.
When: Shortly after recall repair in July 2023; recurrence after initial fix
Symptoms owners cite: unfamiliar whining sound from engine bay; batteries discharging while driving; complete loss of charging function; smoke from engine bay; strong burning smell from passenger side engine bay
Repairs/costs cited: Balmar unit unplugged by owner to prevent fire risk while awaiting Winnebago response
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-234 issued in 2023 after numerous Balmar units failed and caused fires; recall performed July 2023 but insufficient to prevent recurrence; ongoing reports of failures after recall work
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that the AWD and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the actuator and sensor needed to be replaced, and a software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer determined that the transfer switch, new…
The van will not start on a regular basis. Usually within a week the battery voltage has depleted to the point the van will not start. Have to put a charger on it often. This is a commonly reported problem on many forums.
My Balmar 2nd alternator on my Winnebago Ekko has just failed. This is a Winnebago installed electrical system component mounted in the Ford Transit chassis engine bay that provides electrical charging to the RV coach batteries. There was an initial NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-234 issued in 2023 after numerous Balmar units failed; in some cases the Balmar unit failure caused a fire in the engine…
Van was stationary on street and failed to start two times, battery was fully charged.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 Ford Transit?
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 electrical problem on the 2020 Ford Transit?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 24,763 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/Transit.
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.