I am filing this complaint regarding a catastrophic engine failure in my 2020 Ford F-250. The engine experienced low oil pressure due to a failure involving the camshaft (cam). The failure resulted in damage severe enough that the entire engine had to be replaced. Component or System Failure: The component that failed was the camshaft within the engine. The failure resulted in low oil pressure and subsequent internal engine damage, ultimately requiring complete engine replacement. The failed engine and/or components may be available for inspection upon request, subject to confirmation of their current location and availability. Safety Risk: This failure created a significant safety concern. A sudden loss of engine oil pressure can result in catastrophic engine failure, loss of engine power, and potentially an unexpected vehicle shutdown while driving. Losing engine power while traveling at highway speeds or in traffic could put the driver, passengers, and other motorists at serious risk of an accident. The possibility of sudden engine failure without adequate warning is particularly concerning in a heavy-duty pickup truck that may be used for towing or hauling. Dealer or Independent Service Confirmation: The engine failure was serious enough that the entire engine required replacement. The low oil pressure and resulting engine damage were identified as the cause of the failure. The repair and diagnosis were handled through a ford dealer. Specific diagnostic findings and documentation can be provided if requested. Inspection by Manufacturer or Other Parties: The vehicle was serviced due to the engine failure and underwent evaluation as part of the repair process. Whether the failed components were independently inspected by Ford Motor Company or other parties is UNKNOWN. Warning Lamps, Messages, or Symptoms Prior to Failure: The primary symptom associated with the failure was low oil pressure. No lights were on at the time of service.
2020 Ford F-250 SD engine problems
32 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,000.
- owner complaints
- 32
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 64,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford F-250 SD engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Ford F-250 SD engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Loss of power 27Check engine light 24Stalling 15Engine failure 9Knocking 8
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2020 Ford F-250 SD owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The engine started misfiring and running rough while driving down the highway. Without any notice or symptoms, power was lost, and the truck was unable to accelerate. After pulling over and parking, it would not restart. Step one Ford in Crestview Florida diagnosed the engine as having lifter/cam failure. Remedy is engine replacement. This truck has the same engine and failure that the federal safety agency opened an investigation into (NBTSA dp26011) Truck has the 7.3L gas engine.
Mechanical Failure Description: The vehicle suffered a sudden, severe engine knock and rattling under load at approximately 87,594 miles due to a catastrophic valvetrain failure. Dealership diagnostics at Randall Ford confirmed a loss of compression on cylinder 4 and extensive metal shaving contamination throughout the engine oil filter assembly. This severe internal damage resulted from an apparent mechanical failure of the hydraulic lifters and camshaft lobes, requiring a mandatory and complete replacement of the longblock engine assembly. This failure mirrors the exact lubrication and valvetrain degradation mechanisms currently being evaluated under active the federal safety agency Defect Petition DP26011, demonstrating that the structural defect impacts the initial 2020 model year production run of the 7.3L Godzilla platform.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, while driving 40 MPH approximately two months later, the vehicle was running rough and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a high-pressure fuel pump failure, causing the fuel system to become contaminated. The dealer determined that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The dealer submitted a diagnostic report to the manufacturer. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure, and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired and was pending the manufacturer's decision regarding the coverage of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Vehicle experienced loss of power while in travel down a mountain. After inspection by a mechanic, CP4 pump had a catastrophic failure sending metal shards throughout the fuel system. This was less than a month after Fords SAFETY RECALL 24S78 that failed to remedy the problem, but before recall Number26V158 was issued.
While driving cross country, my dash warning light came on and said " In 50 miles your vehicle will lose power and you won't be able to drive more than 5 mph. DEF problem". I spent $70,000 on this vehicle used with 50K miles on it. Recall from 2024, this is unacceptable. Now another recall for steering. The steering column disengagement. I am afraid to drive it. The dealer keeps telling me no fix yet. FORD has no email to complain. I am not sure what can be done. This is my first FORD, never again.
On October 3, 2025 our 2020 Ford F250 King Ranch 6.7 diesel broke down with no start and check engine light. We contacted Ford. We towed the vehicle, at our expense to the dealership we purchased it from approximately one year ago on October 6, 2025. I contacted Ford on October 3, 2025 and received a claim number. On October 7, 2025 the Ford dealership contacted us to inform us the high pressure fuel pump catastrophically failed. It cracked the pump housing. It is a 12,000.00 repair. It is a safety recall. The pickup on has approximately 56,000 miles. The 5 year power train warranty ended September 15, 2025. I have contacted Ford twice sense January 0f 2025 to see if there was a resolution to this recall and they stated there is no fix as of this time. The dealership and I have contacted Ford Customer Service several times. I have left several messages for the representative handling our case and was promised call backs but never did. On October 10, 2025 there was a new case generated due to the lack of communication. Both the dealership and I were promised a call back and we did not receive one. We use this pickup for work and we are losing income. I asked for a loaner and I was told that was not possible. I pulled a Carfax on this pickup and found that possibility this vehicle was bought back twice. When we purchased it, the service record give to us did not show that information. We would like for the repairs to be completed in a timely manner. The dealership stated on October 8, 2025 that the entire fuel system would need to be replaced and could have it completed in three business days. I am not feeling comfortable knowing the pickup has been bought back from Ford two other times and not informing us. Also I am worried it may have caused engine damage.
My 2020 Ford F-250 King Ranch with a 6.7L V8 Turbo Diesel engine experienced severe engine failure while I was driving. The engine was completely destroyed and had to be replaced. My warranty company paid to install a new engine into the truck, but did not pay to have the remaining components fixed that were directly damaged by the engine failure. There was severe damage done to the fuel pump, DEF system, and wiring harnesses that caused the truck to be permanently into a mode called "LIMP Mode" which electronically governs the truck to 50 MPH. There was and still is an unresolved recall on the truck. The recall is as follows: #24S78 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE UPDATE BIODIESEL DEPOSIT ACCUMULATION. the federal safety agency number is: the federal safety agency: #24V957. There were absolutely zero (0) warning signs that alerted me that this was an issue before the engine failed. No alerts or warning lamps were illuminated on the truck before it failed. All i got was a letter in the mail stating that the engine could fail due to this components and that there is no known solution to fixing the problem. This issue caused my engine to fail while I was driving to work. There are issues with the truck still that were directly caused by this issue that the warranty will not cover INCLUDING this recalled component that has no available solution. I have a 2 month old son and a wife that rely on me having this truck. I have risked the safety of my family, and others on the roads, unknowingly by operating this truck on the roads. I am asking that Ford Motor Company be held Liable for all damages to my truck, and the repurchase of the truck for full price. This is unacceptable from a company as big as Ford Motor Company.
Engine making heavy ticking noise from front of engine because of a cracked oil pump gear and the front main seal is now weeping oil. Ford is aware of this known issue as a TSB. Afraid to drive truck because I normally haul a large travel trailer into the mountains and the technician said the oil pressure could drop causing the motor to seize up.
My truck lost power on the Highway. Had to coast down the off-ramp and ended up blocking a turning lane when the engine failed to start back up. Called a someone to tow me back to my house and parked it where it’s been there for months since Ford has not yet issued a solution to the recall.
Questions about the 2020 Ford F-250 SD engine
Does the 2020 Ford F-250 SD have engine problems?
Owners have filed 32 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Ford F-250 SD, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford F-250 SD engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford F-250 SD engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford F-250 SD have bad engine?
The Ford F-250 SD model years with the most engine complaints are 2004 (114 complaints), 2002 (105 complaints) and 2001 (99 complaints).
Other 2020 Ford F-250 SD problems
Transmission 77Fuel system 64Steering 46Suspension 29Electrical 27Visibility 14Driver assistance 13Body 12Acceleration 5Lights 5Airbags 4Brakes 4Wheels 3Locks 2Seat belts 2Tires 2Seats 1
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