2020 Ford F 250 Regular Cab
Common Problems
Ranked from 75 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
31 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Transmission Jerking and Hard Shifting
6complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences hard shifts and jerking, leading to difficulty in maintaining speed and control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Death Wobble at Higher Speeds
5complaintsHigh severitySuspensionAt higher speeds, the vehicle experiences violent shaking and loss of control, often described as 'death wobble'.
- 3
High-pressure fuel pump failure
5complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe high-pressure fuel pump fails, leading to engine stalling and reduced power.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Recall repair delays
5complaintsLow severityOtherRecall repairs for known issues are delayed, causing frustration and unresolved issues.
- 5
Transmission failure
5complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission malfunctions, causing delayed shifts, harsh engagements, and gear skipping.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Engine misfire and loss of power
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and loses power, often accompanied by a check engine light and warning messages.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Engine Loss of Power at High Speeds
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine loses power and may stall at high speeds, leading to reduced performance and safety concerns.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Suspension Violent Shaking
3complaintsMedium severitySuspensionThe suspension causes violent shaking at higher speeds, leading to difficulty in maintaining control.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Tailgate opens unexpectedly while towing
3complaintsMedium severityOtherThe tailgate opens automatically without warning when towing a trailer, typically at the start of movement.
- 10
Death wobble at highway speeds
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringAt highway speeds, the steering wheel and vehicle experience violent shaking and wobbling upon hitting bumps, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
- 11
Door lock actuators malfunctioning, preventing proper locking/unlocking
2complaintsLow severityOtherPassenger side door locks malfunction, making it difficult to secure the vehicle properly.
$200–$600est. door lock/latch repair · 1–2.5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Electrical system failures including infotainment system malfunctions
2complaintsLow severityElectricalInfotainment systems freeze or display errors, disrupting navigation and entertainment functions.
$200–$1,500est. infotainment unit service · 0.5–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Engine misfires and sputtering at high speeds
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and sputters at high speeds, causing the check engine light to illuminate and the vehicle to enter limp mode.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
2complaintsLow severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, possibly due to a malfunction in the stop-start system.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Fuel system issues including fuel pump failures and leaks
2complaintsHigh severityFuel systemFuel pumps fail or leak, causing loss of power, engine stalling, and overall fuel system malfunction.
$500–$1,100est. fuel pump replacement · 2–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Rearview Camera Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe rearview camera malfunctions, displaying distorted images or becoming inoperable during reversing.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes - 17
Recall repairs not available or delayed, leading to ongoing issues
2complaintsMedium severityOtherMultiple recalls for various systems are not addressed promptly, leaving vehicles with unresolved issues.
- 18
Severe Shuddering and Loss of Power
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe vehicle shudders from the front to the rear, losing power and potentially stalling, especially at higher speeds.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Steering column disengagement and separation
2complaintsSafety riskSteeringThe steering column may separate during operation, leading to loss of control and potential accidents.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Steering Fluid Error
2complaintsLow severitySteeringThe power steering fluid is incorrectly identified, leading to potential steering issues.
- 21
Steering wheel vibration and loss of power steering
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering wheel vibrates frequently, and in some cases, the power steering fails entirely, especially when pulling a trailer.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Suspension issues causing violent shaking and loss of control
2complaintsHigh severitySuspensionThe suspension causes violent shaking and loss of control at highway speeds, especially when hitting bumps, making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Suspension issues leading to handling problems
2complaintsMedium severitySuspensionSuspension problems result in handling issues, such as 'death wobble' at higher speeds, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 24
Transmission failure leading to gear shifting issues
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission experiences issues such as hanging in gears and failing to shift properly, leading to difficulty in driving.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 25
Transmission Jerks and Hesitates During Acceleration
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission jerks and hesitates during acceleration, causing the vehicle to lurch and potentially lose control.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 26
Transmission Locks Rear Wheels During Gear Shifts
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission locks the rear wheels during gear shifts, nearly causing accidents and requiring immediate attention.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Transmission malfunction causing rough shifts and powertrain faults
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission malfunctions causing rough shifts and powertrain faults, leading to the check engine light illuminating.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 28
Unintended acceleration issues
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe vehicle experiences unintended acceleration, with the engine RPM increasing and the vehicle failing to decelerate properly.
- 29
Unreliable Windshield Wipers
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe windshield wipers fail to operate correctly, leading to poor visibility during rain or snow.
- 30
Unresponsive throttle and delayed acceleration
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe throttle becomes unresponsive and there is a significant delay in acceleration, especially when starting from a stop or merging into traffic.
- 31
Visibility Issues with Rear-View Camera
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe rear-view camera displays a blurry or distorted image, compromising the back-over prevention system.
$250–$800est. backup camera replacement · 1–3 hrs laborGet local quotes
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.