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What 2 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford E-350

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2)Electrical system (1)Transmission & drivetrain (1)

1 of 2 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters

Aug 5, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The component that failed was the transmission system, specifically the CDF clutch cylinder, the torque converter, and the front support structure. The transmission was found to contain metal debris, burned clutch components, and damage to internal bushings and supports. 1. These parts were replaced under warranty by Central Ford in South Gate, CA. I do not have possession of the damaged components, and I cannot confirm whether they remain available for inspection. 2. The failure resulted in loss of power while driving — particularly during gear shifts into 10th gear at highway speeds. The truck also began to shudder violently, and a “Powertrain Malfunction / Power Reduced” message appeared on the dash. This put me and others at risk, especially in high-speed traffic where sudden deceleration or power loss can lead to collisions, particularly for heavy-duty trucks like mine that are often used for towing or hauling. 3. Yes, The issue was diagnosed, reproduced, and confirmed by Central Ford. A full teardown of the transmission confirmed internal damage including: A shifted and burned CDF clutch cylinder Torque converter damage Front support wear and metal transfer Metal debris inside the transmission All affected components were replaced, and the transmission was reassembled and reinstalled. The vehicle was inspected by a Ford-certified dealership (Central Ford). There was no involvement by police or insurance representatives, as the failure did not lead to a crash or claim. Yes. The vehicle displayed a “Powertrain Malfunction / Power Reduced” warning. This occurred in conjunction with loss of acceleration, shuddering, and hesitation when shifting into higher gears (particularly 10th). These symptoms appeared shortly before I brought the truck in for service on [XXX]. This failure happened at relatively low mileage for a heavy-duty truck that is used primarily for regular driving and light commercial use. I am concerned that this is part of a bro INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11678544

Working with the data? Download all 2 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 14, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Ford E-350 verdict →