2020 Ford F-150: engine overheating

Filed Jul 13, 2026 · Transmission · 184,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving in 10th gear, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to 3rd gear, and then to 1st gear. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear, shifted hard into drive(D) or in reverse(R), and the vehicle overheated intermittently. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 40 MPH in the middle of the interstate. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was driven to a nearby rest stop. The power train malfunction warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission had overheated. The vehicle was turned off to allow the transmission to cool down. The contact stated that occasionally while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission had been replaced thirteen months prior to the failure. The contact was informed that the transmission had a one-year warranty coverage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Transmission · KY · crash

Transmission downshifted on the interstate and overheated. Wouldn’t go back in to gear. Was in the passing lane and ended in an accident.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Transmission · OR

The Ford 10 speed transmission has continued to give me issues. Delayed shifting, harsh engagements, and overheating are the symptoms. I have been to the dealer several times for the issue. They programmed the transmission, reset values, then replaced the valve body. After valve body replacement, the service manager at the dealership told me that it shifts fairly well compared to other f150s and there’s nothing more they can do. There have been several instances where I have to pull over in traffic due to overheating. The lack of predictability in the shift also makes for unsafe situations.

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Transmission · MI

Three separate times vehicle shuttering and jerked, and wouldn’t engage into certain gears left my son and I stranded on the freeway. Unable to drive, it started and drove fine hours later after it cooled. Weeks after this happened leaking fluid, overheating, and unable to shift into gear. Shop said it fried 3 gears. Currently having to replace the entire trans which costs half of what the vehicle is worth.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

The first transmission I had in my truck i had. Harsh shifting, Slipping gears, Delayed engagement, Transmission overheating, Loss of power and transmission stuck in higher gear while stopped. They replaced the transmission (at my cost ) now i have over heating issues. There should be a mandatory recall on this transmission, give me my money back and fix the issues for free.

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 Jun 11, 2025 · Brakes · IN

The passenger side front brake overheated while driving at highway speed. We stopped the truck after smelling the burning odor. The rotor was blue and radiating heat. The driver's side appears normal. Inspection revealed the lower caliper piston was stuck. The piston boot was removed and significant corrosion was found. Truck has 60,000 miles. We are the original owners.

Filed May 15, 2025 · Transmission · VA

Problems started when towing, going down a hill, the truck down shifted as it should. Once the road leveled out, the truck would not upshift until you came almost to a complete stop and started over. Took it to the dealership and was told it needed new software. Paid for software and truck had a shutter after that while going up hills without towing. Took it back and dealer did not follow TSB, but instead put a torque converter in. Picked up truck and less than 20 while driving on the interestate at 70mph, the truck downshifted so hard it chirped the rear tires. Took it back to dealership and transmission was replaced. Picked truck up and drove it for a few hundred miles and started leaking transmission fluid out the vent (accourding to the dealership) Dealership is stating its my fault due to towing a small trailer with around 4k pounds total weights. On interesate at 60MPH, in tow mode, the trunk was running at 1700 RPM and all temp guages normal so no stress at all on the truck. Truck is rated at 13k plus towing. Dealer also stated that hauling horse feed also overheated transmission. The new transmission "clunks" when going from park to reverse. The turck still surges. Some days its fine, other days not so much. In my opinion, poor quality parts caused the failure of the first transmission. Current problems, in my opinion the problems are software. The engine at speed is barely above an idle and not optimized for the engine power or torque curve. The silliness of skipping gears is also part of the problem.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · GA

The listed vehicle uses approximately 1 quart of oil every 500 miles, which is a grossly large consumption of oil. This same issue occurred with two other vehicles in our fleet with a similar make and model. One vehicle corrected itself over time. The other uses approximately 3 quarts of oil every 5000 miles. This issue has been confirmed and unable to be fixed by our city's vehicle shop since we obtained the vehicle in January of 2020. Over consumption of oil could cause the oil to run dry while in use, possibly causing the engine to overheat, permanent engine damage, engine seizure, etc.

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · GA

The described vehicle uses approximately 3 quarts of oil every 5000 miles, which is an over consumption of oil. This same issue occurred in another vehicle that we own which has the same year, make and model, but the issue appears to have fixed itself over time in the other vehicle. This issue is still a problem with this vehicle. This issue has been confirmed and unable to be fixed by our city's vehicle shop since we obtained the vehicle in February of 2020. This over consumption issue has been present since the vehicle's purchase. Over consumption of oil could cause oil to run dry while in use, possibly causing the engine to overheat, permanent engine damage, engine seizure, etc.

Filed Dec 21, 2023 · Electrical · MS

My back window randomly shattered when it wasn’t being driving. I assumed a rock was flung up from the road from another vehicle, causing it to shatter, but when I took it to get it replaced, the glass technician pointed out that the defroster heater wire overheated, causing the glass to shatter. Reports online show this has happened before. My tech said it could have caught the truck on file. I tried to upload photos of the shattered window and the burnt electrical wire, but the website wouldn’t let me.