What 506 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Ford F-150 Supercab Diesel

TRANSMISSION STALLED INTO FIRST, WOULDNT ALLOW YOU TO PUT VEHICLE INTO GEAR UNLESS YOU TURNED VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON. FORD SERVICE CENTER VERIFIED CONCERN IN PARKING LOT. VEHICLE STARTS IN FOURTH GEAR AND LUNGES VERY ROUGH. NO DTC. FLUID LEVEL FULL BUT VERY DARK WITH FINE METAL CONTAMINATION PRESENT. PERFORM CDF TEST. RESULTS FAIL. CDF BUSHING HAS SLIPPED COMPLETLY BLOCKING FLUID PORTS. ALSO SUSPECTED HUB BASKET HAS WORN GROOVED FROM F CLUTCH APPLICATION CAUSING FINE METAL IN FLUID. OVERHAUL NEEDED FOR REPAIR Safety concerns: my truck stalled in an intersection which put me, my pregnant wife, and our [XXX] daughter at risk of being hit by another vehicle. After speaking to multiple services centers (both Ford and 3rd party), I was told by *all* of them that they've been replacing 10-speed Ford transmissions like crazy these past few months. My vehicle is currently at a certified Ford dealership pending repair. Currently contesting a denial in financial assistance considering the vehicle is within the 5 year powertrain warranty (the vehicle had an initial 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty and my truck is at 72,200 miles). No warning lamps or messages occurred until the moment the problem occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11656259

Driving at highway speeds and my truck began to shake violently and very loud banging sound. Slowed down to pull over on the highway. Found driveshaft broken in half with gas dumping out of the fuel tank. Broken driveshaft damaged heat shield for gas tank, punctured gas tank and dented/broke clips on exhaust. Very lucky back driveshaft didn’t hit pot hole and leaking gas didn’t start a fire. Stranded on side of road for hours. Sent my vin to the dealership and they said my was not under the recall #21S56 even tho it was built after known driveshaft issue and clearly the insulator caused the issue.

NHTSA ODI 11656117

Transmission engages and disengages periodically as i slow down or come to a stop. Shifts erratically while driving from 6 gear to 4th gear , and when accellerating it hesitates from 2nd to 3rd gear, then shifts hard to 4th gear where i have to press on the brake to stop it. My concern is when it down shifts hard while in traffic, almost got rear ended one time. Just not safe to drive, ive have this truck for less than 5 months now. Preowned with less than 100k miles, just doesnt make sense..

NHTSA ODI 11654759

Truck shifts don’t unexpectedly and causes the vehicle to loose traction and went into oncoming traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11654021

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the wrench symbol displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No additional information was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11653395

My 2020 Ford F-150 transmission is very bad. Since I bought it used, the transmission has shifted very hard, lurched, delayed engagement and gear slippage. I was told by Ford to bring it in and they would replace or repair for over $6000!! Everything I'm reading online is that Ford knows about this situation and won't do anything about it. I dont have a spare 6-8 thousand dollars that the dealership said it would take to "possibly" fix this issue! Something needs to be done and as a retired Atlanta Police department whos driven alot of Fords, this one is the worst ive ever experienced and I cant do anything about it. ITS NOT RIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11653456

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a tune-up was needed. The tune-up was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall and the PCM was reprogrammed. The unknown recall repair was performed the day prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,400.

NHTSA ODI 11653158

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11653220

While driving the vehicle going approximately 35 mph in heavy traffic the vehicle shifted to neutral without driver input as evident by +8000 rpms (bottomed out) and swift deceleration. No warning lights or indicators. No response when driver input to acceleration pedal. Vehicle would not shift into gear. After breaking to approx 15 mph Vehicle shifted VERY roughly w/no accelerator response and return to normal rpms. After waiting in neutral on the side for a minute accelerator response returned. hard and delayed shifting remained. Vehicle is currently being serviced by a ford dealer in Florida who relays no warning or trouble codes found - but recommended a transmission rebuild reference black fluid w/o leaks. Fluid was initially a quart and a half low. Transmission has an extended warranty and is getting replaced. 10r80 10 spd transmission with the EXACT same issue for the recent recall of a different year/ transmission model # by ford. Coincidence- I think not.

NHTSA ODI 11652681

f150 EQUIPED WITH 4r80 10 SPEED TRANSMISSION. Starting several months ago, the vehicle started experiencing up shifts with hesitation during upshift, typically the mid gears. Starting from a stop, the shift from 1st to 3rd is very harsh and stutters. Condition has progressively gotten worse. While upshifting, I am now experiencing more exaggerated pausing/delays during mid gear upshifts. While entering a freeway, accelerated to merge with traffic and the transmission downshifted and there was an approximately 2 second delay in the shift which caused the vehicle to bog down substantially, nearly causing a following vehicle to impact my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11651713

My gears shift hard when slowing down or when letting go of the gas pedal. The infotainment center blacks out. I took it in to Ford Dealership and was told the transmission needed to be replaced. I don’t drive fast nor abuse my truck. I don’t use my truck for construction; I simply drive to work and home. I have 67K miles and bought the truck in 2020, brand new. It’s very concerning that at 67K the transmission needs replacement. The cost for replacing the transmission is $8,000.00 dollars.

NHTSA ODI 11651266

Transmission random acceleration, harsh downshifting, and banging coming to a stop. 3 to 5 gears and during emergency stop. Downhill acceleration without throttle while braking, overtaking brake control

NHTSA ODI 11650966

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating and downshifted unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. The contact stated that he had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was advised that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated while the transmission was downshifting. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the long block and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but advised the contact that the vehicle was over the mileage for the warranty and not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ODI 11651136

DURING MAINTENANCE PRIOR TO THE MAIN ISSUE STATED TO FORD, CUSTOMER NOTICED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH TRANS AND MECHANIC REPORTED IT WAS FINE AND DIDNT SEE ANYTHING ON THEIR COMPUTER AND THAT THE CUSTOMER COULD WAIT UNTIL 90K MILE UPCOMING MAINTENANCE. CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND THE TRUCK WAS SHIFTING ROUGH / WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP THE TRUCK WOULD REV UP AND NOT GO FORWARD THEN DELAYED ENGAGEMENT / ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE TRUCK HAS DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING SMOOTHLY IN PASSING GEARS VERIFIED THE CONCERN. PERFORMED SELF TEST AN FOUND P07F7 INCORRECT 10 GEAR RATIO. PERFORMED TEST DRIVE AND FOUND THE SHIFT FLARE EXCEEDING 290RPMS AN SPEC IS 0-10RPMS. ALSO FOUND THE TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPING OVER 270RPMS DURING LOCK UP. MONITORED LINE PRESSURE TEST AN FOUND IT IS WITHIN SPEC. INSPECTED FLUID CONDITION AN AN FOUND EXCESSIVE SIGNS OF METAL DEBRIS PRESENT. DUE TO INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE RECOMMEND REPLACING UNIT AN RETEST.

NHTSA ODI 11650677

Transmission has hard shifts between 2-3 and 4-5. Transmission occasionally has unexpected hard down shifts. Truck has done it since purchase and has progressively gotten worse.

NHTSA ODI 11650848

On the afternoon of [XXX], my son and his fiancé were driving home from college (Lamar University) when my sons 2020 Ford F-150 suddenly downshifted from 10th gear to 1st gear. This sudden unexpected downshift through them both violently forward in the truck and almost caused them to be rear ended by an 18-Wheeler. They immediately pulled off to the side of the Interstate ([XXX]) to gather their thoughts and inspect the truck. My son notified me of what had just happened and that he received a service engine warning on the trucks instrument cluster along with a notification on his cell phone of a Powertrain Malfunction. I suggested he try turning the truck off and restarting it to see if it would resolve the issue. He resumed driving home and experienced the same unexpected sudden down shifting from 10th gear to 1st gear multiple times as they continued their drive home. Fortunately, he was able to limp his truck back into town and immediately took it to Cook Ford in Texas City where we had purchased the truck. I met them at the dealership and my son reported the problem they had experienced on their drive home to the Cook Ford Service person and we left the truck with them to be diagnosed. On Wednesday March 26th 2025, Cook Ford called to inform my son and informed him that he needed a new transmission and that both his catalytic converters needed to be replaced for a cost of approximately $11,500. He asked them if these items were covered under warranty and they acknowledged an error in their quote and that the catalytic converters would be covered, but not the transmission. During the conversation the Ford Service person did acknowledge knowing of issues with the 10 speed transmission (10R80) but said there were no current recalls, nor were there any Ford Customer Satisfaction Programs for the trucks transmission. We are now waiting for a response back from Cook Ford with an updated and formal breakdown of costs for the trucks needed repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11650846

While driving on a high traffic street in stop and go traffic truck shifted down from 3 to 2 with a lurch and a verry loud clunk. Truck shifted so hard there was rapid deacceleration and lurching and a loud clunking while shifting.

NHTSA ODI 11650392

This truck when shifting from 4th to 5th will snap your neck! sometimes it just slips in gear., when I back up ity will stop like its in neutral and then bang into gear. sometimes you pull out on the road and it will not go just sit in neutral then bank in gear and take off. This is totally unsafe with this 10 speed trans.

NHTSA ODI 11650411

While traveling 65 mph on highway, truck shifted from 10th gear to 5th causing truck to jerk to a slower mph and raising rpms

NHTSA ODI 11650632

In these vechicals it has a 10 speed transmission. from what I was told ford knows about a problem with it shiften hard and down shiften even harder. ford says all they can do is reset the computer in it, but isn't going to help with the problem. something needs to be done.

NHTSA ODI 11650134

Vehicle is equipped with the 10r80 ( ten speed ) transmission. Vehicle hard shifts and hard down shifts. It also searches for gears so if I am in cruise control or driving approx 55 the vehicle will drop out of gear, search for a gear then slam back into the correct gear; at random

NHTSA ODI 11650162

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission hesitated and made an abnormal clunking sound. In addition, the rear of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times due to the failure. The contact stated that the transmission was rebuilt in 2023. In addition, the contact stated that the PCM was reprogrammed in 2022. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11650189

Erratic down shifts stalls at lights

NHTSA ODI 11650319

On [XXX] I [XXX] started my truck and left my job at Publix Supermarket in Lake City, Fl. As I turned out of the shopping plaza, My 2020 Ford F-150 felt like it was about to lose power. As I turned into [XXX]. The truck shifted from the first gear, to the second smoothly, as the truck shifted from 2-3 , the truck revved and did not engage into 3rd gear. I let off the gas thinking it was going to catch the next gear and continue to increase speed. but it did not, again it revved and did not engage into 3rd gear. now the traffic was flying past me, i pushed the accelerator to the floor in attempt to avoid an accident. and not get rear ended. After several seconds , the transmission engaged and the truck began to move forward at a slow pace. This is when i received a notification for Ford Pass app, saying the power train malfunction/ reduced power. I was able to get the truck to the closest gas station. where I shut it off. After several minutes, I restarted the truck and drove back to work with no issues. The next day I took it to a local shop, where they indicated that I needed a new transmission. Since then, this vehicle has been in the shop multiple times for the same issue. This will be the 3rd Valve body replaced. Its unsafe to be on the road. Its a safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11650359

Transmission shifts harshly when increasing speed. The vehicle will jump or feel jerky when accelerating. One incident of loosing complete power from transmission when turning corner. When stopping the transmission causes the vehicle to push forward. This vehicle has only 17,300 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11647099