2020 FORD F-450 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2020 FORD F-450 has 7 complaints and 2 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with engine power loss, fuel system failures, and stalling at varying mileages. Several reports detail diagnostic challenges and recurring problems despite repairs.
Common Issues
- Powertrain control module failure. Vehicle vibrates and briefly loses motive power at highway speeds with recurring PCM malfunctions. Repairs at dealers did not permanently resolve the issue.
- Fuel system contamination. Metal shavings found in the fuel system leading to exploded fuel filters and required complete fuel system flush and replacement.
- Engine stalling and failure to restart. Engine shuts off unexpectedly while driving or after starting, sometimes accompanied by no warning lights, and fails to restart despite multiple attempts.
- High-pressure fuel pump failure. Fuel pump fails causing engine to shut down. Dealers advised complete fuel system replacement after diagnostic tests.
- Loss of engine power warnings. "Reduced Engine Power" or "Low Fuel Pressure" messages are commonly displayed prior to vehicle shutting down or stalling.
- Cylinder misfires. Specific cylinder failures and misfires contribute to vehicle performance issues and increased repair costs.
- Recall repair delays. Owners notified of recall 24V957000 related to diesel fuel system, but parts are often unavailable, delaying repairs and leaving vehicles unrepaired.
- Fire risk. Engine compartment fires reported following a heavy fuel odor, indicating a potential safety hazard.
- Inconsistent recall eligibility. Some vehicles are denied recall repairs due to prior fuel system failures, resulting in partial cost coverage offers from the manufacturer.
There are two recalls affecting this vehicle that address seat recliner mechanisms. These recalls involve manual front seat back recliner assemblies and rear outboard seats in certain models from 2018 to 2020. Both affect the strength and restraint capabilities of the seat backs and require dealer inspection and possible replacement.
Recalls
- Seat recliner mechanism. NHTSA recall 19V633000 affects 639,137 vehicles including 2020 F-450s. Some seat back recliner mechanisms may lack a third pawl, reducing seat back strength. This increases injury risk in crashes. Dealers will inspect and replace affected seats free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019.
- Front and rear seat assemblies. Same recall number 19V633000 covers manual front seat back recliners and certain rear outboard seats. Defective recliner mechanisms cause loose seat backs that fail to meet federal safety standards. Repairs are provided at no cost to owners.
Owners dealing with recurring fuel system or engine failures, safety defects involving seat assemblies, or challenges completing recall repairs might have rights under their state’s lemon law. Those affected should consider consulting legal resources for assistance with unresolved vehicle defects.
2020 FORD F-450 Summary
2020
Model Year
7
Total Complaints
1
Total Recalls
639137
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2020 FORD F-450
639137 vehicles affected
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
Complaints
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2122532FUEL 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.
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2120805FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle caught fire. Fire in the engine compartment after heavy fuel smell/odor.
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2087881FUEL 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 informed that the fuel pump and the entire fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,717.
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2068856FUEL 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.
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2064918FUEL 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 System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the remedy for the recall was a software update. The contact was informed that due to the fuel pump failure, the vehicle was no longer qualified for the recall repair. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer who offered to cover 50% of the cost for the repair. The contact stated that the recall repair was not a permanent repair and that the recall remedy failed to adequately address the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2061793FUEL 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 while starting, the "Low Fuel Pressure" message was displayed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filter had exploded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel system was contaminated with metal and that the entire fuel system needed to be flushed and replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2020 FORD F-450
ID: 2058437ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and the vehicle briefly lost motive power. The vehicle returned to normal functionality once the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the power train control module (PCM). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, who diagnosed that cylinder #4 had failed, and there was a misfire in cylinders #3 and #5. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. A case was opened with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.