2020 Ford F-350 SD Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: the 10-speed automatic's harsh or erratic shifting and the 6.7L diesel's high-pressure fuel pump, which owners describe failing with little warning and taking the whole fuel system with it. Steering complaints, including violent wheel shake over bumps and, in a few cases, a loose or detached steering column, are the third recurring theme. Many issues show up at moderate mileage, and several fuel-system reports are tied to an open pump recall.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh, slipping or erratic 10-speed transmission shifting

   • 45 complaints (24%)
   • median 70,750 mi at 2.6 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe slipping, hard bangs between gears, unintended downshifts and the transmission sticking in a gear, sometimes followed by limp mode and a wrench or powertrain warning light. Several report the vehicle hesitating or lunging when the accelerator is pressed, and some were told the transmission needed replacement. According to complaints, dealers often reprogrammed the PCM or applied software updates, and in some cases the symptom returned afterward. Spread widely from under 2,000 miles to beyond 150,000 miles, with many reports in the 25,000-130,000 mile range.

   Recall 22V256000Recall 20V3650003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the service history and whether any transmission software updates or TSB procedures were performed. On a test drive, pay attention to low-speed 2-3 shifts, downshifts under engine braking and engagement after the truck has sat overnight.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The same problem as the recall is 20s33. Torgue converter damper fracture. The truck was sold with technical problems of the backup camera, that totally doesn’t work till now. The biggest problems starts on 07 th of october 2020, when I noticed a huge noise in the car according to the transmission system. On the 08 th of october 2020, I have been to dealership located at 8445 45 th st lyons, il, 60534, and I left the car at their service center to diagnose the technical problem and for sure to solve it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11374215, filed 2020-11, 59,000 miles

   “While negotiating steep grades (over 8 degrees) at moderate speeds (~30mph) with the engine brake in automatic a 3rd gear to 2nd gear or 2nd gear to first gear change is proceeded by a significant acceleration by as much as 5mph or more this can be simulated on less steep inclines by engaging the engine brake and manually shifting from 3rd to 2nd.. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11360365, filed 2020-09, 1,200 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Diesel high-pressure fuel pump failure (CP4)

   • 45 complaints (24%)
   • median 124,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Complaints describe sudden loss of power or stalling, sometimes at highway speed, with a check engine light or reduced-power message, and a vehicle that will not restart. Owners report being told the high-pressure fuel pump failed or came apart, sending metal debris through the fuel system and requiring replacement of the pump, lines or the wider fuel system. Some say the repair was declined under warranty or by the recall because of claimed fuel contamination, or because the part was not yet available. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 170,000 miles, often during highway driving or while towing; a few reports are under 50,000 miles.

   Recall 24V957000Recall 26V1580001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm whether recall 24V957/26V158 was completed and ask for documentation of any fuel system repair. Check for a metal-in-fuel diagnosis in the records and look at service history for repeated low fuel pressure codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2020 FORD F-350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he had a loss of motive power and check engine warning light was illuminated when driving, almost causing an accident due to not being able to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed to have metal shavings in the combustion system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11739265, filed 2026-05, 126,136 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and experienced loss of power steering functionality and reduced braking functionality, causing the vehicle to almost drive into a ditch while the contact was pulling over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11633598, filed 2025-01, 36,236 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering wheel shake ('death wobble') over bumps

   • 26 complaints (14%)
   • median 52,000 mi at 2.9 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel and front end shaking violently after hitting a bump or rough pavement at highway speeds, requiring hard braking to regain control. Some report the dealer could not duplicate the concern or said it was not covered, and others say the steering felt vague or slow to return to center. A smaller group reports the steering wheel feeling loose, with one complaint describing the steering shaft separating from the lower column. Reported from a few thousand miles to about 55,000 miles, typically at 45-60 mph on uneven roads.

   Recall 25V626000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 25V626 (steering column upper shaft) was completed, and have a shop inspect front-end components, track bar and steering linkage. Drive it over broken pavement at highway speed before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 started to shake violently. I had little control until my speed dropped. I took the pu to the dealer sept 16th. They said they could find no problem and stated if their agent could not experience the problem while driving the pu they could not fix it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11384965, filed 2020-12, 3,200 miles

   “Steering returnabilty or return to center is impeded by electric power steering assist. According to Ford the new electric over hydraulic system installed on some super duty trucks assists the driver during cross wind or heavy road crown situations. But when there is no wind or road crown the system continues to assist and holds the steering column from immediately returning to center. This vehicle is not equipped with a lane keeping' or auto steer system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11361869, filed 2020-09, 1,250 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Sudden stalling or low-speed surging

   • 35 complaints (19%)
   • median 78,975 mi at 4.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners report the engine quitting without warning, sometimes while towing, and a few describe the RPMs climbing or the truck surging forward at parking-lot speeds with the foot off the accelerator. Some complaints involve electrical or fuse box faults leaving the truck unable to restart, and one describes an engine fire while parked. Others report upper engine ticking or lifter damage leading to engine replacement. Reported from a few thousand miles up to very high mileage; several surging reports occur under 5,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about any engine work, lifter or camshaft repairs, and check for stored powertrain codes. Note whether the idle is steady and whether the truck creeps or surges at low speed in a parking lot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle RPM will not drop when taking foot off the gas and in gear. Rpm stays at 1100 and vehicle speeds up on its own. No difference with engine brake on or off. Seems to happen in parking lots or at stop lights when moving at slow speeds 5 to 10 miles per hour. Vehicle will accelerate unless brakes are applied. Brakes have to be applied sometimes very hard to get vehicle to stop and engine RPM to drop. Documented by the dealer with no fix. Ford motor company contacted with no fix. This has occurred multiple times.”

   NHTSA complaint #11326343, filed 2020-05, 3,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the lifter in cylinder #2, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11696597, filed 2025-10, 35,000 miles
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Tailgate unlatching on its own

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 4,800 mi at 1.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the tailgate coming open while driving, including while towing a trailer or camper, with resulting damage to the gate and to the trailer. Some owners report the electric tailgate releasing spontaneously and the dealer being unable to duplicate it. A related report describes body panels and door alignment issues at delivery. Mostly reported in the first few thousand miles, often during highway or towing use.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the tailgate latch and step assembly operation, open and close the gate several times, and ask whether any latch adjustment or TSB work was done. If towing, verify the gate stays latched on a rough-road test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the tailgate has come unlatched several times. It caused damage to the camper I was towing and the tailgate itself. A 30lb propane cylinder almost rolled out of the truck after the tailgate came down. It has been during highway traveling.”

   NHTSA complaint #11396807, filed 2021-02, 3,520 miles

   “While traveling vehicle in motion electric tailgate spontaneously released damaging the tailgate and tow vehicle on 8/8/2020, 8/20/2020 and 9/3/2020. Tailgate released on several occasions while towing on city streets and highway.”

   NHTSA complaint #11353197, filed 2020-09, 4,800 miles

Buying note. Have any diesel fuel pump recall work documented and get a pre-purchase inspection that includes the fuel system, front steering components and a scan for transmission codes. Service records showing software updates and prior repairs matter more than mileage on these trucks.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.