2020 FORD F-150 Complaints

Cam Phaser failure causing the engine to knock and eventually lose power. Cost $4,900 out of my pocket to fix with 64,000 miles on the truck. Reading online forums, this is one of the MOST common issues with 2018-2022 3.5 and 5.0 f150s. The vehicle has a history prior to my ownership of this same issue. Check engine light is triggered when you hear the engine rattle and throws codes for Camshaft position error. Ford dealer replaced every sensor and harness on the truck before decided the cam phasers were bad, adding another $4,900 to my $2,600 bill. This was during my ownership of the truck between 63,000 and 65,000. First two thousand miles of ownership. Vehicle would stall at low rpm’s after highway use, stalling the vehicle while rolling into an intersection.

Acceleration without foot on gas pedal, erratic & harsh shifting, and slipping gears

The transmission in my 2020 Ford F-150 (10-speed automatic) has exhibited ongoing and dangerous shifting issues. While driving at normal speeds, the transmission frequently shifts hard between gears, surges, or delays engagement, especially between 2nd and 4th gear. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has jerked violently when slowing to a stop or accelerating from a red light. There have also been sudden RPM spikes and power loss without warning. The issue began around July 2025 [125,000 miles] and has continued. The safety of myself and others has been at risk due to the vehicle lunging forward at unpredictable times. This behavior has made it unsafe to merge into traffic or stop smoothly. No warning lamps have appeared, but the problem is reproducible. I believe this may be related to ongoing class actions regarding Ford’s 10R80 transmission. The issue has not been fully addressed by Ford, despite similar complaints from other owners.

While overtaking another vehicle on a 2-lane highway, the accelerator pedal broke and would not allow me to accelerate. Shortly after this, the vehicle I overtook had caught up, and I was forced to move back behind them in heavy traffic as there was also oncoming traffic. With no accelerator, I had to pull off to the side of the highway. Losing acceleration is a serious hazard, impacting the ability to safely control the vehicle and react to situations. This was a sudden failure with no warnings. Nobody has seen the vehicle yet. I found a way to manipulate the acceleration system/assembly in a way that would allow me to get away from the busy highways. This involved me holding part of the assembly with one hand while pushing on the pedal with the other hand. I figured it was better to find a safer place to park the vehicle. Upon further inspection, it appears that a plastic part broke somewhere. I do not think that plastic should be used in heavy use and safety critical systems. Everything is available for inspection as of now if needed.

* What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission/powertrain; currently available for inspection at time of submission * How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While stopped at stop sign/stop light, the vehicle would have long hesitation before advancing forward. I would initiate hazard lights to prevent driver behind me from crashing into the back of my vehicle. The vehicle would shift harshly and untimely as well as randomly downshift from 10th gear to 1st gear (x2 on 24Aug2025). I would have to pull vehicle off the road and when attempting to resume driving the vehicle would not move. The RPM’s would rev, however the vehicle would not move. I would turn off the vehicle and then restart it and the vehicle would move forward, resuming with harsh shifting. Loss of power, delayed and harsh shifting pose a safety hazard while the vehicle is in operation. * Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes; by independent service center * Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No * Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? First check engine light illuminated on August 16, 2025. (Please note the check engine light disappears once the vehicle is turned off and then restarted). I took the vehicle to AutoZone on 25Aug2025. The tech placed the code reader on the vehicle. 2 codes, P0734-00 and P07F7-00, ‘gear 4 incorrect ratio’ and ‘gear 10 incorrect ratio’ respectively were displayed. Vehicle taken to independent service center on 25Aug2025 who also placed code reader on vehicle. I am not in possession of that information at time of writing. Monthly ‘my vehicle report’ has been clear with no issues whatsoever noted until report dated 25Aug2025 (attached)

The Windshield Wipers are malfunctioning, and the windshield washer motor doesn't work. you cannot adjust the speed of the Windshield Wipers. My safety concern is that the Windshield Wipers can come on at anytime and can shut off in any position on the Windshield which limits my visibility. It has been diagnosed by Joe Machens Capital City Ford Company, Invoice # [XXX] Phone# 573-634-4444 Service Direct# 573-994-2909. It is currently not under a recall, I feel the 2020 F-150 Ford Trucks should be included in this Windshield Wiper Malfunction. { UNKNOWN } Warnings or Messages? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

transmission has on several occasions lurched when starting the vehicle. during driving, the transmission shifts hard and sometimes jumps in and out of gear as if it cant decide which gear to engage. this often happens at low speeds after first start, and between 5th and 6th gear.

The power running boards are malfunctioning continuously, I have fallen out of the driver side twice and now have injury to my right shoulder trying to stop myself using the arm rest. They will either not come out or will retract while trying to step up or will not come out at all, making it extremely difficult to get into the truck without them deployed. Also, will start to deploy and stop mid-way. I will attach a photo taken today.

December of 2020, I purchased 3 - 2020 Ford F150's with 5.0L engines and 10speed 10r80 transmissions for 2 of my companies as PERSONAL DRIVERS (non-commercial use). *Vehicle 1 - at 82,000 miles - was experiencing missed shifts, and harsh engagement. Within a couple of weeks of this happening, unfortunately the vehicle was totaled in an accident unrelated to shifting. *Vehicle 2 - began to experience the same problems, this vehicle would miss a shift and fall completely "out of gear" leaving no power or throttle response (roughly 78,000 miles) and had been service according to Ford specification and mileage with Motorcraft factory filter, gasket, and Ford ULV fluid. Unfortunately this was the only vehicle I purchased an extended warranty for due to long highway trips out of town where a breakdown would be difficult to deal with out of town. Determined as "transmission Failure" and replaced at Billy Howell Ford in Cumming Ga. (via extended warranty) *Vehicle 3 - VIN NUMBER IN QUESTION - at 74,000 miles vehicle is now missing shifts, jumps out of gear. 2 DANGEROUS scenarios this week. Crossing oncomming traffic to turn onto road - 1-2 or 1-3 shift missed and complete loss of power/movement barely avoiding being hit by oncoming cars. Second occurrence, slowing to a red light on wet road. Coasting/Braking as transmission began downshifting from 10th gear,.. when it got to 7/6 it downshifted to Gear 4 sliding/screeching the rear tires as the rear end SLID/DRIFTED sideways causing me to PANIC STOP with brake pedal fully depressed to avoid free sliding or losing control of the vehicle. -100% available for inspection FORD SHOULD ABSOLUTELY RECALL ALL OF THE EARLY 10R80 EQUIPPED VEHICLES. IT'S DANGEROUS!! Vehicle has been checked/duplicated and verified by ASE certified technician, local dealer admitted to problems, there are NO MIL's, and NO FAULT CODES STORED COMPUTER. Dealer wants almost $9000 to replace transmission. Ford DO BETTER! -- THIS IS DANGEROUS.

The rear camera has stopped working all of a sudden. A blue screen comes up and says contact dealer when vehicle is in reverse. There is a ford recall for this issue but my vehicle vin is not included and sounds like it has this issue they are recalling for.