The 2020 Ford F 250 carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering recliner. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “10R140 transmission hard shifting and gear failure.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Campaign #19V633000 · Aug 28, 2019
Issue: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2020 Ford F 250.
POWER TRAIN
52 NHTSA complaints · 2022-10 → 2026-07
“The transmission would hang up in 7th gear when stopping at red light, caution light or stop signs without warning”
“2020 Ford F250 with 85,000 miles. We purchased new and all maintenance has been done on time and by Ford Service”
“BUSHING SLIDING DOWN THE CDF CLUTCH HUB CAUSING FLUID PRESSURE TO BLEED BY ON SEALING RING CAUSING MULTIPLY/POTENTIAL PROBLEMS”
BACK OVER PREVENTION
7 NHTSA complaints · 2023-05 → 2026-04
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera failed to display an image”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, the rear-view camera display was foggy or displayed a distorted image”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the rear-view camera was blurry, hazy, and cloudy”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
4 NHTSA complaints · 2024-07 → 2025-12
“door lock actuator on passenger side door has stopped working”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the power lock actuator failed; not allowing the contact to lock the driver of the vehicle, and passenger side doors from either the remote or the interior controls of the vehicle”
“Drivers door will not unlock at times, the others do”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-07 → 2025-08
“Parked at gas station, after fueling attempted to start with key and engine started but electrical systems did not register that vehicle had started”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start”
“My truck engine does not start after idling in the driveway”
VISIBILITY/WIPER
4 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2023-04
“I want to file a formal complaint against Sunland Ford in Victorville California about not remedying this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility)”
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
53 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2026-08
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that he received NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The local dealer was contact who confirmed there were metal shaving in the fuel injectors”
“The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound, and there was excessive smoke coming from the exhaust pipes, before the vehicle shut off”
“Vehicle experienced loss of power while in travel down a mountain. After inspection by a mechanic, CP4 pump had a catastrophic failure sending metal shards throughout the fuel system”
STEERING
34 NHTSA complaints · 2022-11 → 2026-06
“While driving at speeds above 30mph truck will have the death wobble”
“On October 29, 2025, while traveling around a sweeping freeway transition ramp at 65 MPH in my 2020 Ford F-250 (46k miles on it), I hit a bump in the road”
“Steering column failed. Loud pop and steering wheel became floppy and wold move in every direction including in and out”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
F-150 4x4 and Bronco 4x4: replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$150–$195
Shop
~$105–$135
DIY
~$20–$50
Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.
Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
105 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
2
complaints mentioning a crash
3
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2020 Ford F 250 reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.