I have 2 problems with my vehicle that have been going on for a while now. First there is an existing recall for 2020 ford f150's NHTA 25V442 Ford 25S72. Pertaining to the sync 3 malfunctioning as Ford put it "Ford says that an error in the SYNC infotainment system could cause a blank image to be displayed while reversing, or the rear-view image may remain on display even after a driver has stopped reversing." My vehicle is and has been doing this for a very long time. However, my vehicle VIN is not included in the recall. Though it should be since it is the exact same problem. The other safety issue I have is the front facing camera. It has completely stopped working quite some time ago. I asked ford about it, and they told me they would have to charge me to look into it. I don't have the money to throw at problems that should be fixed under recall because they are safety issues. This camera not working shuts down the pre collision assist which is very dangerous. It also controls the auto hi and lo beam for seeing at night, and last but not least the cruise control doesn't work without it.
2020 Ford F-150: adaptive cruise control problems
15 of the 746 complaints about the 2020 Ford F-150 describe adaptive cruise control problems.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 2
Adaptive cruise control problems by model year
What owners say
The 10-speed transmission downshifted from 10th gear to 1st gear, and then back into 10th again. This sequence happened 3 times in a row, with the 3rd causing a service light to be displayed. This occurred while on the highway with cruise control set at 75mph. The truck is available for inspection upon request. This transmission malfunction caused an abrupt and rapid deceleration, as well as, a loud clunk and temporary lockup of the rear end. The deceleration and loss of power had the potential to cause an accident with cars around me, or a loss of control from the rear end. There are an overwhelming amount of reports of this same issue online, as well as, numerous at the dealership. My truck has been to the dealership and they are claiming it is due to overfilling of transmission fluid during my recent transmission rebuild.
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
Cruise control was set at approx. 62 mph driving on the Interstate. An exit was taken and coming down the off ramp the truck would not slow down. It seems the brakes did not disconnect the cruise control. Brakes were both pumped and firmly depressed. No response when the gear shift was placed in a lower gear. The electronic system did not shut off after the ignition was placed in the off position. An inspection is warranted, expected and welcome. This was a Sudden Unintentional Acceleration (SUA) incident/accident!!! Numerous other vehicles were placed in danger while crossing a major intersection. Two fire trucks responding to an emergency were passed at 50 miles an hour. Many other occupied vehicles and individuals at an apartment complex were in danger of being killed or injured. As of right now the vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance claims adjuster, so right now it has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center (but is welcomed to be done). The vehicle or components have not yet be inspected by the manufacture, police or insurance representative (but I would be willing to allow it). There was no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. It was totally unexpected and a complete surprise.
This happens consistently,while driving with the cruise control,the truck takes off and speeds up almost causing the truck to ram other vehicles. Then the truck shudders and surges before throwing up several codes. I have read this is a problem with many Ford trucks. I feel like our lives are in serious danger . I was hoping there would be a recall because this is leaving customers in situations that may cause injury or death.
The 10 R 80 transmission is unstable and can cause the driver to downshift to make up for a shutter in drive train. Ford calls it normal operation. Secondly, the adaptive cruise control shuts off in traffic. At times unknown to the driver. Very unsafe.
The adaptive cruise control on the vehicle failed. When passing other vehicles, the system will engage the brakes unexpectedly and aggressively causing possible loss of control and exposes other drivers behind you to collide with your vehicle. Dealership did inspect vehicle but was unable to duplicate. This generally occurs on highway driving over long distances. There are no warning signs that this is going to occur. All of a sudden you will just feel the vehicle brake extremely hard. This happened multiple times while in used during 400 mile trip. (stopped using for remainder of the trip)
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that rodents and squirrels had eaten the wiring on multiple occasions. The ABS, cruise control, parking, and traction control warning lights illuminated and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring had been chewed on and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the ABS, cruise control, parking, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
When entering the passing gear, or automatically downshifting, the transmission shifts very rough. A sudden jerk. I’ve asked at the Ford dealership, but they say there is no recall on this. Another friend with an older model F150 experienced the same thing. The sudden jerk affects the stability of driving the vehicle. Especially when driving using cruise control. It does not feel safe.
After work on my way home (clear weather), I was driving my 2020 F150 on the highway with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) engaged. Suddenly, I noticed that the ACC system was not responding properly to the traffic ahead, and it was not maintaining a safe distance as it usually does. I attempted to disengage the system, but it failed to respond, leaving me unable to control the vehicle's speed manually. Upon investigating, I discovered that the front camera, which is a crucial component of the ACC system, had failed. As a result, the pre-collision feature was also disabled, putting my safety and the safety of other road users at significant risk. Since the failure occurred suddenly and unexpectedly, there were no warning lamps or messages indicating the malfunction before it happened. The issue was not reproducible after the incident. In the meantime, for safety reasons, I have stopped using the ACC system and continue to drive the vehicle with heightened caution. Further more, after a week upon starting my truck, I got "Front camera malfunction" message, and my cruise control, pre-collision assist, and lane keeping assist are not functioning.
When I put my truck in gear from park it makes a loud banging noise. Also, my transmission makes loud noises when shifting into various gears. When using cruise control the other day the transmission violently jerked my truck as it was downshifting. I thought the transmission was going to break. I've taken it to the dealership multiple times and they say the transmission has "slack" in it. No fix for it while it. I have about 38,000 miles on it and this has been happening more frequently but it started at about 10,000 miles. No matter what driving mode I'm in the transmission just doesn't shift properly. Please do something about this as Ford doesn't think there is a problem when clearly there is.
I was on the freeway going 65 mph on California I-80. I had my 2020 Ford F-150 on cruise control, and the transmission was in gear 10. Out of nowhere, the transmission jumped down to 2nd gear, and the truck jerked back instantly. I lost control and had to slam on the brakes and pull over to the side. I turned the truck off, waited 5 mins, and turned it back on. The Ford 10-speed transmission would jump from 2nd gear to 7th gear, then back to 1st gear. I had the truck towed into Frontier Ford in San Jose, CA. They found that the transmission gear blew apart inside the transmission bay. Ford replaced it under warranty; however, the issues are coming back again, harsh shifting, loss of power, and gear slipping. I feel unsafe driving my truck, and Ford keeps telling me nothing is wrong with it, and they can't do anything else. They already replaced the transmission with a brand new one; however, it still has the same issues. What should I do?
Service bulletins that may apply
- Advance Notice – Customer Satisfaction Program 25N17 Certain 2015-2025 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines...
- Inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the instrument...
- Some 2019-2020 Edge/F-150/Fusion/Continental/MKZ/Nautilus, 2019-2021 Mustang/Ranger/Transit Connect,...
- Various SYNC performance related concerns
- Various front and/or rear parking aid camera concerns such as poor image quality, flickering and/or...
Related recalls
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Risk
- A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Recall number 25V442000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Recall number 20V575000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2020 Ford F-150 adaptive cruise
Is adaptive cruise control problems a common problem on the 2020 Ford F-150?
15 of 746 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford F-150 (2%) mention adaptive cruise control problems. The model year with the most reports is 2000.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford F-150?
There are 2 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford F-150
Harsh shifting 114Jerking 79Transmission failure 73Check engine light 56Loss of power 50Slipping 42Backup camera 38Hesitation 35Stalling 30Oil consumption 28Start-stop 25Won't shift 23Door locks 22Wipers 20Engine failure 17Screen failure 15Overheating 14Knocking 13Shudder 11Fire or smoke 10Grinding brakes 8Collision warning 8Key fob 7Sudden acceleration 7ABS 6No deployment 6Coil spring 5Warning lights 5
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