2020 Ford F-350 SD transmission & drivetrain problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

54 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2020 Ford F-350 SD, 29% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 60,000 mi.

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints
54
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
4
Median mileage
60,000 mi

Specific components reported

Transmission & Drivetrain covers: transmission shifting, slipping, axles, driveshaft, transfer case.

ComponentComplaints
Power train52
Power train:automatic transmission3

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints across Ford F-350 SD years

1200712012620151120161920172201811201954202010202114202242023620245202532026
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year. The 2020 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

8Under 10k310k–30k330k–60k660k–100k6100k–150k3150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 22V256000Apr 14, 202223,165 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.

    Risk: Debris lodged within the 'Park' mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding 'Park,' increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 19, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S22.

  • Recall 22V087000Feb 16, 2022247,445 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.

    Risk: A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.

  • Recall 21V536000Jul 15, 202127,604 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks equipped with 6.7L diesel engines and Dana model 275 rear axles. The rear axle housing may not support the load of the pickup truck and deform, which could result in driveshaft separation.

    Risk: Driveshaft separation may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the axle housing for deformities, and repair or replace the housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 21S31.

  • Recall 20V365000Jun 23, 202013 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle.

    Risk: An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly, free of charge. This recall began July 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S33.

What owners say

  1. Filed Oct 7, 2026140,000 miILTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lurched forward, and the brake pedal was depressed with more force for the vehicle to respond as intended. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted hard and downshifted with reduced power. The Forward Collision Avoidance alarm sounded after the vehicle downshifted. The contact pulled over to the side of the road…
    NHTSA complaint #11769582 · source
  2. Filed Aug 20, 2026VAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Vehicle extended cranking without starting while the vehicle is parked, and once started it was loss of motive power while driving and almost was in accident because of this. Sheehy ford see its a recall and see its exactly what the recall is stating but refusing to fix it and want to charge almost 10k to do so.
    NHTSA complaint #11758218 · source
  3. Filed Jul 1, 2026AZTransmission & Drivetrain
    The transmission began malfunctioning by having hard shifting issues and losing power in some gears. An indicator on the dash lit up resembling a mechanics open-end wrench. Research online showed that the vehicle should not be driven and taken immediately to a mechanic or dealership. If driven especially pulling a heavy load like the fifth wheel that I bought the truck to tow the transmission could fail causing a serious safety issue. I immediately took the vehicle to a…
    NHTSA complaint #11747751 · source
  4. Filed Apr 16, 2026WATransmission & Drivetrain
    This is a supplemental complaint to ODI Number 11730675 filed on April 16 2026. I am adding the following critical information: I am filing this complaint in relation to Ford's NHTSA Consent Order regarding recall compliance. My 2020 F-350 VIN [XXX] was built at Kentucky Truck Plant in March 2020 — within the exact production window of Safety Recall 22S22. My transmission has failed with the exact defect mechanism described in 22S22. My VIN was excluded from the recall FSA…
    NHTSA complaint #11731728 · source
  5. Filed Apr 12, 2026WATransmission & Drivetrain
    Vehicle experienced sudden, unexpected downshifting and loss of gear engagement while driving. On multiple occasions the transmission slipped out of gear without warning, including while attempting to pull into traffic, creating an immediate life-threatening safety hazard. Vehicle was unable to maintain gear selection and would unexpectedly lose drive power. These failures match the exact defect described in NHTSA recall 22V256000
    NHTSA complaint #11730675 · source
  6. Filed Mar 20, 2026UTTransmission & Drivetrain
    I am the owner of a 2020 Ford F‑350 equipped with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine. My vehicle is subject to an open safety recall, NHTSA 24V957, involving the high‑pressure fuel system. I have been informed by an authorized Ford dealer that there is currently no effective repair remedy available. While I have not experienced loss of power, my vehicle has exhibited abnormal transmission shifting behavior beginning around 40,000 miles. This concern was documented by the…
    NHTSA complaint #11725831 · source
  7. Filed Mar 10, 2026ILTransmission & Drivetrain
    Truck started jerking and shifting hard when driving. Contacted ford and they said that they needed to do a software update. Did the software update and it got extremely worse not wanting to shift into gear. Take the truck to ford in November to have fixed said I needed a new tranny. My extended warranty approves a used one they put it in same thing happening. Send that one back and put another one in same issue with that tranny. It is now March and they cant find another…
    NHTSA complaint #11723233 · source
  8. Filed Feb 4, 2026INTransmission & Drivetrain
    Driving the vehicle at highway speeds (around 55mph). Driver hear a loud hum, lost power and needed to pull over. The rear axle housing grenaded and twisted the pinion clean off the rear axle. The truck was loaded with tools and pulling a trailer. However this load was well within the GVWR of the vehicle
    NHTSA complaint #11715544 · source
  9. Filed Sep 16, 2025NJTransmission & Drivetrain
    I own a 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty (VIN: [XXX] , mileage: ~20,000). The vehicle is subject to a recall involving the transmission output planetary four assembly replacement. Ford and the dealer insist that the transmission must be disassembled and rebuilt to complete this recall. I do not agree with this solution because it permanently alters the integrity of the original transmission. Additionally, the dealer (Route 23 Auto Mall, Butler NJ) has repeatedly mishandled…
    NHTSA complaint #11687547 · source
  10. Filed Aug 7, 202572,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from 10th to 1st gear, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate in the middle of the road. Additionally, on several occasions, the transmission unintendedly shifted out of gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who serviced the transmission, but the failures persisted. No further information was available. The vehicle was later…
    NHTSA complaint #11679072 · source
  11. Filed Jul 8, 2025NEOther / UnknownTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires
    Our 2020 Ford F-350 experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure while in motion. The driveline disconnected, the rear axle locked up, and the transmission bellhousing was destroyed—leaving the truck completely immobile and blocking traffic. This occurred with no prior warning and posed a significant crash risk. At the time, Ford Safety Recall 22S22 (related to a known defect in the transmission’s output planetary four assembly) was open and had not yet been completed. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11672073 · source
  12. Filed Jun 24, 2025OHTransmission & Drivetrain
    My 2022 F350 transmission went in and out of gear driving down the high way It would slam in gear and cause a u. Safe driving condition . The dealer wants to rebuild it for the second time in two years or 40,000 miles sad the ten speed had issues Ford does not really want to help Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11669013 · source

Other 2020 Ford F-350 SD problem areas

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (48)
  • Steering (35)
  • Other / Unknown (19)
  • Body & Structure (16)
  • Engine (14)
  • Suspension (11)
  • Electrical System (11)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (9)
  • Visibility & Wipers (8)
  • Brakes (7)
  • Lighting (5)
  • Wheels & Tires (3)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)

Back to all 2020 Ford F-350 SD problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology