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2020 Ford F-150: check engine light

56 of the 746 complaints about the 2020 Ford F-150 describe check engine light.

owner complaints
56
of this car's complaints
8%
typical repair cost reported
$6,000
typical mileage
86,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 60 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · FL

It will lose all power sometimes during 1-2 or 1-3 shift and not complete the shift causing you to be powerless in front of oncoming traffic while turning left on green across traffic. Then eventually slams into gear violently. This last time was not the first but two of my kids were in the truck this time. I have not had it to the dealer yet but after much research online this is a known problem and I have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to tell me. No check engine light.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with children inside the vehicle, the transmission shifted erratically and began shuddering. The vehicle decelerated unexpectedly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Engine · 30,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after the check engine warning light illuminated on two occasions, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the catalytic converters were replaced under warranty. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that one of the catalytic converters needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the manufacturer would provide partial financial assistance for the repair. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel efficiency had decreased after the failure started. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Engine · CT

Brought my 2020 Ford F150 2.7L EcoBoost in for mandatory emissions recall 24E12. Vehicle had zero dashboard lights or performance issues prior. Immediately upon completion of the PCM flash, the check engine light activated. When the truck was scanned I am now receiving a P0420 and P0430 catalytic converter efficiency codes. The dealership is now requiring $6000 for replacement of qty 2 catalytic converters caused by the recall parameters. This is a predatory compliance software update designed to shift manufacturing component failures onto the consumer after the 80k mile warranty window (truck has 105k). I have filed a complaint with Ford and asked for a P01 Financial Review for After-Warranty Assistance and have been told there is nothing Ford can or will do to assist and I must pay them $6000 if i want them to fix this. Because of this the vehicle is now not emissions compliant.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Engine · PA

My 2020 Ford F-150 (5.0L V8) experienced a sudden loss of engine power and stalled completely while I was driving. In the days leading up to this, the check engine light had illuminated, and I later discovered the vehicle had consumed a severe amount of engine oil — the dipstick read below the "add" line. Critically, no low oil pressure warning light or audible chime alerted me to the oil loss before the stall occurred. After the initial stall, the engine continued to struggle to maintain idle and stalled repeatedly whenever RPM dropped to approximately 1,000, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. I had the vehicle towed to a Ford dealership for diagnosis. The dealership's estimate confirmed the need for a full engine (long block) replacement, at a cost of approximately $19,824.56 (total estimate $21,491.04). I am aware that Ford issued Technical Service Bulletin 19-2365, which acknowledges that 2018-2020 F-150 trucks with the 5.0L engine may experience excessive oil consumption exceeding one quart per 3,000 miles with no visible external leaks, attributed to oil being drawn into the engine during deceleration fuel shut-off events. I believe this defect directly caused my vehicle's stalling and oil starvation, and that the lack of any dashboard warning prior to the failure is a separate and significant safety concern, since a driver has no way to know the engine is being damaged or that a stall is imminent.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Engine · MA

We purchased a used 2020 F­150 in late summer 2024. We brought it in for issues in November 2024, but the Ford dealership found no repairs were needed. We returned in March 2025 when the CDF drum failed requiring a transmission rebuild, a known issue with Technical Service Bulletin but not a recall. The engine continued consuming oil after this despite Ford completing all applicable service bulletins and advising there was nothing further to do. We took the vehicle in for service in May, 2026 and were told they had already updated software to address the oil consumption and we were told that should resolve the issue. On June 30, 2026, the truck was towed to the dealership after repeated stalling and a check engine light. The dealership again acknowledged this is a known issue with this engine - the valve seals are defective yet they had stalled our concerns so long at this point, we were past the warranty period. We researched and found this was a widespread, known issue asked whether Ford would offer customer loyalty assistance after 30 years of Ford ownership. We were told the truck's approximately 118,000 miles exceeded the assistance threshold. The engine replacement was quoted at $15,000. Ford advised us to repair the engine and save our receipt in case they should issue a recall at some point in the future. Given the value of the truck was $15,000 we chose not to keep investing in this vehicle and sold it for parts at a loss.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Engine · TN

My 2020 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 had its engine replaced under factory warranty on 4/30/25 by an authorized Ford dealer. The replacement engine was installed with my original 50,000 mile fuel injectors reinstalled by Ford's technician — I was not informed new injectors were not included. The vehicle is now diagnosed with a failed direct fuel injector causing a cylinder 3 misfire at approximately 10,000-12,000 miles on the replacement engine. Additional injectors show signs of imminent failure. The shop also documented the replacement engine running 2 quarts low on oil at only 10,000-12,000 miles of service. This level of oil consumption on a recently replaced engine is abnormal and unexplained. The safety concern is twofold. First, a vehicle running chronically low on oil due to abnormal consumption on a replacement engine risks catastrophic engine failure without adequate warning to the driver. Second, misfiring cylinders affect vehicle driveability and create unpredictable power delivery that constitutes a safety risk particularly at highway speeds. Symptoms including rough running and the check engine light first appeared in November 2025. The vehicle has been at an authorized Ford dealer for diagnosis since May 2026. Ford Customer Relations has declined goodwill assistance despite the failure occurring on components reinstalled by Ford's own technician during a warranty repair, symptoms originating within the warranty window, and the vehicle being only 8 days outside the 12-month parts warranty expiration. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate whether Ford's practice of reusing high-mileage fuel injectors during engine replacements under warranty constitutes an unsafe practice, and whether abnormal oil consumption on replacement engines represents a systemic defect.

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

2020 F150 with only 63000 miles has a failed transmission. The truck doesn't shift gears properly, gets stuck in gears, loses power suddenly. This is a huge safety risk as the vehicle just stops accelerating or working when driving. This clearly endangers me and other drivers. Ford refuses to pay even though their check engine light gave a TRANSMISSION/POWER FAILURE alert and the Ford dealership inspected it and their diagnosis is: REPLACE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. HAS INTERNAL CDF DRUM BUSHING FAILURE. This is an ongoing issue with these 10 speed transmissions on these F150s. There are several class action lawsuits against Ford over these 10R80 transmissions. Ford is not only refusing to recall these dangerous vehicles but also refusing to pay to cover the repairs on transmissions they've known are defect.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While driving my 2020 Ford F-150 on the highway, the transmission suddenly failed, causing loss of normal drivability and creating an immediate safety concern due to reduced vehicle control at highway speeds. The failure involved the transmission system, which I later learned may be related to Ford’s recall notice stating that the installed remanufactured transmission may be missing an internal bearing. Prior to the complete failure, the vehicle exhibited symptoms consistent with the recall, including harsh shifting, shuddering, and vibration. These symptoms escalated until the transmission malfunctioned to the point the vehicle was no longer safely operable, requiring me to tow the truck to Rocklin Transmission. The transmission was replaced out of pocket by that independent service center, and the failed component should be available for inspection upon request through that facility. The malfunction created a serious safety risk because the transmission could become stuck in certain gears, illuminate the check engine light, or potentially fail to properly engage Park, all of which increase the risk of a crash or injury. The issue was confirmed by the independent repair facility when diagnosing and replacing the transmission. The vehicle has not been inspected by Ford or other representatives prior to the repair because the failure required immediate corrective action to restore safe vehicle operation.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Engine · 55,000 miles · MA

The contact’s father owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While driving at various speeds and accelerating or while idling, the vehicle bucked or jerked. The vehicle failed to accelerate intermittently, causing the driver to make several attempts to restart the vehicle, depress the accelerator, and allow the engine to cool down for the vehicle to accelerate as needed. There was a loud grinding and knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NC

I had just replaced the transmission (R1080; 6 cyl 3.5L Turbo) on September 3, 2025 due to P0734-00 (Gear 4 incorrect Ratio and P07F7-00 (Gear 10 incorrect Ratio). The transmission matter can be referenced on the federal safety agency ID # XXX. On September 30, 2025, while driving down the parking deck ramp (at 3-5mph) my check engine light came on with code P0022 (camshaft timing); resulting in replacement of the camshafts. The camshaft had a HOLE in it (photo supplied). The camshaft issue is another issue many Ford F150 truck owners are experiencing. Again, Ford has continued to give "band-aid" fixes with TSB's and no REAL fix to a continuing issue with these trucks. On December 3, 2022, this used truck was purchased from a Ford Dealership in Raleigh, NC (77,100 miles) and was Ford Gold/Blue Certified per my purchase information. The Gold/Blue paperwork even included that the "Customer Satisfaction Repair" (not a true recall mandated by the federal safety agency) had been performed by a TSB (along with the unintentional tailgate opening also a Customer Satisfaction Repair). There are no recalls issued on this vehicle. Ford has offered NO assistance towards repairs. As evidenced by the number of complaints filed on the federal safety agency website for this particular engine, at what point will the federal safety agency open an investigation and mandate that FORD issue a RECALL for the KNOWN problems with the R1080 3.5L and the camshaft/phasers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 28, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NV

While driving at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly began producing heavy white smoke from the exhaust, the engine started to idle roughly, and a check-engine light came on. There was no oil-pressure warning, no low-oil message, and no “stop safely” alert of any kind. The only warning was emissions-related. After seeing the smoke, the vehicle was parked and later driven only to a dealer for inspection. A dealer inspected the vehicle and confirmed that an internal seal in one of the turbochargers failed, causing the engine to pump all of its oil directly into the exhaust system. This resulted in complete oil loss and catastrophic engine damage due to oil starvation. The dealer confirmed the failure and determined that the issue originated from the turbocharger assembly and not from misuse or neglect. The failure occurred suddenly and without any oil-pressure warning to alert the driver. The safety concern is that a turbocharger failure caused total loss of engine oil without triggering any oil-pressure warning or driver alert, creating a risk of sudden engine failure, loss of power, or engine seizure while driving. The lack of oil-pressure warning before or during the event was confirmed by the dealer’s inspection.

Questions about the 2020 Ford F-150 check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2020 Ford F-150?

56 of 746 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford F-150 (8%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2020 Ford F-150?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $6,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford F-150?

There are 0 recalls and 60 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 73Loss of power 50Slipping 42Backup camera 38Hesitation 35Stalling 30Oil consumption 28Start-stop 25Won't shift 23Door locks 22Wipers 20Engine failure 17Adaptive cruise 15Screen failure 15Overheating 14Knocking 13Shudder 11Fire or smoke 10Grinding brakes 8Collision warning 8Key fob 7Sudden acceleration 7ABS 6No deployment 6Coil spring 5Warning lights 5

All model years of the Ford F-150

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