2020 Ford F-150: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine · 9,000 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the engine running, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's spouse, who was seated in the front passenger seat, saw smoke coming from under the dashboard. The contact's spouse exited the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to open the front driver's door, the front passenger's side of the dashboard and the windshield caught on fire. Additionally, the front passenger's door was on fire. The contact's two dogs were seated in the rear seat. The contact entered the vehicle through the fire and removed the dogs from the vehicle. The contact used a neighboring building's water hose and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that within two minutes, the vehicle was engulfed in fire. The fire department later arrived. The Fire Chief inspected the vehicle, and the contact was informed that the fire had started in the engine compartment. The contact was transported by ambulance and received medical treatment. The contact sustained second-degree burns on the left and right legs and left and right elbows and forearms. In addition, the contact sustained second-degree burns on the left and right hands. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. A Police report was filed, but the information was unavailable. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V442000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Engine · 102,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The driver drove to the residence. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and there was smoke coming from the engine with a loud screeching sound. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the cam sensor was defective and caused the engine to overheat. Additionally, the engine was low on oil. The contact stated that an oil change was previously performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall and that there was no financial assistance available. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission failed, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 46,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Transmission · VA

On [XXX] while attempting to take a trip to WV we were traveling on [XXX] nearing Waynesboro, VA. While driving up the mountain on [XXX] near the Rockfish Gap overlook I noticed our F-150 seemed to mis-shift or slip. As we’d experienced issues during a previous trip that required the transmission to be serviced under warranty I switched the display to the transmission temperature near 245 degrees. I attempted to put the truck in eco mode and slowed below the speed limit to the top of the mountain. While going down the west side of the mountain I left the truck in cruise. Past the [XXX] exit I noticed smoke which began to increase. I then checked the temperature again which reported 267 degrees. The wrench warning light came on indicating reduced power. I also received the notification on the Fordpass Application. The truck quickly slowed down and would not accelerate forcing me to hastily move to the shoulder in heavy traffic. We pulled over at stopped right in front of mile marker [XXX]. A large amount of transmission fluid observed pouring out from above the bell housing onto the exhaust. It appeared and smelled like it was possible to catch on fire so I did not park over grass, remaining on the concrete shoulder. After a dealer tech simply reset the computer and stated it was fine we drove the truck home, but did not feel safe or sure that it would make the trip. The transmission temperature remained below 220 the trip home but did have delayed shifts. The next day I had three incidents after exiting the interstate of a failure to find a gear for a moment as I attempted to take a turn. Our dealer that we trust has already completed two TSB actions related to the transmission. The other dealer cleared the computer and did nothing to repair the issue. They also attempted to charge me for a diagnostic fee, even though it’s under warranty and clearly had issues to include gear ratios being wrong and ECM/PCM and BCM communication failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

Filed Sep 11, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 65,000 miles · OK · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that his employees had driven the vehicle to a work site. While at the work site, the vehicle caught fire while the engine was off. An employee stated that flames appeared to have come from the vehicle's dashboard. An attempt was made to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher; however, the flames quickly engulfed the vehicle. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed as a result of the fire. One of the contact's employees suffered first and second-degree burns to the face. The employee was taken to a hospital where they were treated for their injury. A police report was not filed. The decal from a storage unit was melted, a blinker cover on an RV was destroyed, and several nearby trees were damaged. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be inspected; the cause of the fire remained unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Engine · 61,000 miles · NH · fire

The contact owned a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle burst into flames. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked for six hours. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle burned down to the frame in less than five minutes. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact stated that the insurance declared the vehicle total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Filed May 29, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · WI

Not one check engine light has ever come on. Bought this truck new off the lot, now to almost 60,000 mi. Every single component on this truck, immediately failed. Bucking/ jerking/ chugging on acceleration and maintaining speed while inclining. Incorrect gear selection 90% of the time. Going 5 mph with no foot on the gas, it up shifts and takes off down my driveway. Sudden down shifts causing violent decreases in speed. When braking the truck may rail on the brakes and "assist" you to stop or it may decrease reading of the pressure of your braking. Tire pressure sensors don't read accurately. Digital and analog speed read differently. The truck nudges itself side to side on the road. Truck will change the steering tension going around corners, so the driver must react to stay on track. Not going around corners the steering tension will change. Almost 2 in of play in the steering at times while sometimes one side is more responsive than the other. If not wearing a seat belt and the alarm goes off while the blinker is on, the blinker will slow down until the alarm stops then pick back up again. The RPM gauge doesn't respond at all or accurately. It will stay at 1,500- going up hill, accelerating, braking. The RPM's read inversely while down shifting. For 2.5 years SYNC update wouldn't install, a month after last attempt, it connected to my WIFI and updated itself. For 6 months, I dropped calls every time in one spot. Then I unplugged my phone from the center USB and I never dropped calls there again, unless I chose to have my phone plugged in charging. No start, couldn't find fob. No unlock. Unlocks on own. Heated seat and steering wheel turn on without the button. Burning smell coming from the motor <5,000mi. A/C never cold and heat never hot. Both sound like they are blowing hard, but the vents could barley rock a face mask back and forth. USB plugs don't have great power. The AC outlets have never had enough to charge anything. My BIL phone treated as key fob.

Filed Jun 2, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · WI

My check engine light came on. Vehicle would not operate. Checked oil and it was down over 5 quarts of oil but I still had 2,000 miles until oil change was needed. Took to Hiller Ford with excessive oil consumption complaint. New oil dipstick, oil plug, oil change, and reprogrammed PCM. Returned at later date with same issue. Was told to monitor oil levels and sent on my way. Returned to Hiller at a later date with even faster consumption than earlier visits. Was told I had to pay for oil change and come back in 2,000 miles. At 1,000 miles engine sounded rough so I returned to Hiller Ford who agreed the oil was low. They topped off oil abs told me to come back in another 1,000 miles. 500 miles later I checked oil and barely appeared on the dipstick. I returned to Hiller Ford who agreed my truck was consuming oil faster than it should per Ford specs. Hiller kept my vehicle and ran compression test and then scoped my motor to observe damages. Hiller said that I needed a new motor and it falls under warranty and has been approved by Ford. They then followed up with the new motor would not be available for 18 months. I was told that no rental reimbursement allowance and that I'd have to operate my non conformity vehicle for 18 months. Operating this vehicle is unsafe and is prone to cause damage to other components of the vehicle. Engine could over heat causing its to seize or even start on fire. The increased emissions are not only bad for the environment but would decrease fuel efficiency and be very costly having to add a quart of oil every 500 miles.

Filed Oct 27, 2022 · Engine · 34,590 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F150. The contact stated while parking he noticed smoke coming from the front to the vehicle, when the contact checked under the vehicle, he noticed that the plastic cover under the engine was detached and had leaves on it where the smoke was coming from due to it being nearby the exhaust pipe. The contact was able to stop the smoke by pouring water onto the leaves. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact sent pictures to the dealer however they have yet to communicate. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 34,590.

Filed May 12, 2021 · 27,185 miles · WA

My vehicle would not exit out of a drive or moving until I stopped the vehicle and disconnected the neg battery cable. The vehicle stayed in a state of high rpms. There were no warning signs and no warnings displayed on the truck display. This is the second "speeding out of control" situation in two days. I fear for the safety of myself, my family, and everyone around me. I don't know what triggers the onset of this condition. I exited from state highway 5 onto exit 104 (hwy 101) and took a left on mud bay road. I was traveling 30-35 MPH when I began to slow down to almost a complete stop to make the right turn into the swimming facility. My truck would not slow down. I pushed he brakes very hard to prevent the truck from speeding uncontrollably. I pulled in to a parking spot as best as I could. The truck rpms were maxed. I own an automatic drive. With my foot on the brake, I shifted from d to n. There was a loud sound of gears during the shift. The truck rpms were still maxed out. I turned off the truck and placed the truck in p. I also enabled the parking brake. I started the truck and the truck rpms were still maxed out. I kept the truck running for an additional 30 seconds. My wife and bystanders indicated that there was a burning smell emanating from the truck. I turned off the truck and the truck displayed an "overheating" warning. I allowed the truck to cool down and disconnected the neg battery cable for 15 min. After I reconnected the neg cable, the truck reset to normal running conditions. I have owned the truck for three months and the truck is still under factory warranty. The dealership that I bought it from does not acknowledge that 2020 f-150s have had problems with the transmission/engine. I will take my truck there tomorrow (13may2021) for them to view the error codes.