2020 Ford F-450 recalls & problems

The 2020 Ford F-450 has 1 safety recall and 25 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, diesel (8 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints25filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seats › Mid/rear assembly

NHTSA recall 19V633000 · Aug 28, 2019 · 639,137 vehicles

Problem: 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. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."

Risk: 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.

Components: Seats › Mid/rear assembly; Seats › Front assembly › Recliner

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, diesel	8	0	0	103,858 mi
Power train Automatic transmission	5	0	0	—
Unknown or other	4	0	0	—
Electrical system	3	0	1	—
Engine	2	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	0	0	—
Forward collision avoidance Adaptive cruise control; Automatic emergency braking	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, other Fuel filter	1	0	0	—
Structure Body	1	1	0	—
Tires Sidewall	1	0	0	—
Wheels	1	0	0	—
Suspension	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Oct 26, 2026 · 175,000 milesFuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450. While the contact's son was driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that there was failure with the #3 fuel injector. The contact stated that the fuel injectors were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred three days after the repair. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode while driving with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The VIN was associated with the recall;…
Sep 15, 2025Fuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Aug 28, 2025 · 82,000 miles · crash · 1 injurySteering
The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-450. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel failed to steer in the intended direction. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had driven independently sideways and then into a deep ditch before coming to a stop. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact was unconscious and transferred to the local hospital. The contact sustained six broken ribs, a punctured left lung and a hematoma in the left leg. In addition, the contact had to have emergency…
Jan 1, 2025Fuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450 The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Aug 16, 2025 · fireFuel/propulsion system
Vehicle caught fire. Fire in the engine compartment after heavy fuel smell/odor.
Jan 2, 2025 · 104,717 milesFuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The contact stated that while hauling an RV at 65 MPH, with the cruise control feature activated, the message that the "Engine has Stopped - Pull Over Immediately" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road, and the contact attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the engine was turning over however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed, and the dealer retrieved DTC: P0087. Additionally, there were metal shavings found in the fuel system. The contact was…
Feb 18, 2025 · 184,000 milesFuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the engine ran for several minutes before the vehicle independently shut off. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) as probable cause for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Jan 31, 2025 · 40,000 milesFuel system, diesel
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle, with the "Reduced Engine Power" message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the highway, and the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The contact was informed that the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel…

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

PE24014 · opened May 9, 2024 · openSogefi Secondary Diesel Fuel Filter Leak
The Office of Defect Investigations (ODI) has received 27 complaints alleging diesel fuel leaks due to a fracture in the secondary fuel filter housing in model year (MY) 2015-2021 Ford Motor Company (Ford) F-250, 350, 450, and 550 Super Duty vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. Of these complaints, 12 describe an engine compartment fire. The proximity of the secondary fuel filter to high heat sources creates a potential for autoignition thermal events and fires. ODI has contacted the vehicle manufacturer, Ford, and the filter manufacturer, Allevard Sogefi USA (Sogefi), and learned that the low-pressure fuel system is capable of a maximum operating pressure of 8.5 Bar, while the secondary fuel filter is only tested to seven (7) Bar during the manufacturing process. Additionally, changes starting in 2022 by both Ford and Sogefi align with a lack of similar complaints on MY 2022 and…
RQ21001 · opened Jan 15, 2021 · closed Jan 10, 2024Power Tailgate Release Systems
In January 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (MY) 2017-2019 F-250/350/450 Ford trucks. Besides the recall remedy launched in January 2020, Ford also implemented a production update in November 2019.Â At the time of the RQ opening, ODI had received eleven (11) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs). ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Ford in February 2021. In numerous meetings after receiving their IR response, Ford highlighted the drop in claims since the recall and production update and communicated how they were unable to verify the ownersâ complaints or replicate the concern. Despite this, Ford began developing ways to prevent uncommanded tailgate openings from various human, mechanical or electrical causes. Based on testing, Ford issued a…