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2020 Ford F-350 SD: sudden loss of power

14 of the 189 complaints about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
124,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 41 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated that while driving and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle lurched forward, and the brake pedal was depressed with more force for the vehicle to respond as intended. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission shifted hard and downshifted with reduced power. The Forward Collision Avoidance alarm sounded after the vehicle downshifted. The contact pulled over to the side of the road before continuing to drive. Additionally, the vehicle rolled backwards while in park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 20V365000 (Power Train) and 22V256000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The dealer reported the failure to the manufacturer, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Transmission · AZ

The transmission began malfunctioning by having hard shifting issues and losing power in some gears. An indicator on the dash lit up resembling a mechanics open-end wrench. Research online showed that the vehicle should not be driven and taken immediately to a mechanic or dealership. If driven especially pulling a heavy load like the fifth wheel that I bought the truck to tow the transmission could fail causing a serious safety issue. I immediately took the vehicle to a certified Ford dealership. At the dealership they informed me that parts in the transmission had failed and that it was the same exact condition as shown in recall 20S33. The noted recall was for trucks manufactured in January and February of 2020. My truck was manufactured March of 2020. The time warranty had expired for the vehicle but the mileage warranty was for 60,000 mi and the truck failed at $29,800. The transmission failed due to a manufacturing defect but I was billed over $9,800 for the repair. I have attached photos of the work order and receipt.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

The component/system that failed or malfunctioned is the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) NOx Catalyst Efficiency system, triggering DTC P20EE – SCR NOx Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). This issue began immediately after Ford Recall 24S78 (PCM software update) was performed on April 29, 2026 at Ferman Ford of Countryside. The truck had zero emissions or check-engine issues prior to the recall flash and was perfectly maintained to Ford standards with Howes diesel treatment every tank. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed multiple times by the dealer: After the May 4 PCM reprogram per TSB 21-2248 After replacement of both NOx sensors on May 5 (code returned in under 17 miles) After replacement of the DEF injector (code returned again) The dealer only performed one manual DPF regeneration instead of the two required by Ford SSM 49202 and pinpoint test RD15, and they did not complete the SCR Parameter Reset. They are now quoting an additional ~$2,000 out-of-pocket for a DPF replacement after partial goodwill assistance was approved. The vehicle has been repeatedly inspected and repaired by Ferman Ford. No independent inspection yet. Ford Customer Service has been contacted and partial goodwill was approved, but significant out-of-pocket costs remain. Warning lamps/messages (Service Engine Soon light + “exhaust emission control system is not operating as expected”) first appeared immediately after the April 29 recall PCM flash and have continued ever since. Safety risk: A loss of motive power, entry into limp mode, or reduced power while driving could result in a crash or inability to maintain highway speed. This appears to be a direct consequence of the Recall 24S78 PCM software update tightening emissions monitoring. All repair orders, photos of warnings, and supporting documents are attached for your review. There is 12. I was not able to upload the last of the documents.

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Transmission · UT

I am the owner of a 2020 Ford F‑350 equipped with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine. My vehicle is subject to an open safety recall, the federal safety agency 24V957, involving the high‑pressure fuel system. I have been informed by an authorized Ford dealer that there is currently no effective repair remedy available. While I have not experienced loss of power, my vehicle has exhibited abnormal transmission shifting behavior beginning around 40,000 miles. This concern was documented by the dealer and described as normal operation. The condition persisted and was documented again around 60,000 miles, although the dealer stated they could not replicate the issue. Given the unresolved safety recall and ongoing powertrain behavior, I am concerned about vehicle safety, drivability, and long‑term reliability, and I am submitting this complaint to document the risk before a safety‑related failure occurs.

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Transmission · IN

Driving the vehicle at highway speeds (around 55mph). Driver hear a loud hum, lost power and needed to pull over. The rear axle housing grenaded and twisted the pinion clean off the rear axle. The truck was loaded with tools and pulling a trailer. However this load was well within the GVWR of the vehicle

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Fuel system · VA

When exiting the interstate and coming to a complete stop at the bottom of the exit ramp we went to make a right turn onto a two lane mountain road when we felt a hesitation and within seconds the engine began to sputter, we lost power and the check engine light came on. This was a two lane 55MPH road with no shoulder pull off. Thankfully there was no oncoming traffic in the other lane and there was also an abandoned fruit stand parking lot which were were able to drift across the road and stop in. We experienced a COMPLETE loss of power. Had there been oncoming traffic or no open parking lot just across the road we might have experiened a crash. It is important to note that we were on a vacation in the mountains and thankfully our RV was parked at the Campground we were not towing it at this time. We had to find a tow service to have the vehicle towed to the nearest Ford Dealership in the area. The Dealership notified us that there were metal shavings/flakes in the lower fuel filter housing. They told us that this was a Complete Fuel System Failure and that we would need a complete fuel system replacement of all parts. We had been notified of the recall (Safety Recall Notice 24S78/the federal safety agency Recall 24V957) in January 2025 and we had taken it to the local Ford Dealership who advised there was no fix for the problem at this time. The Dealership that our truck was towed to after this incident advised us that we would have to pay for all the repair costs (excess of $10,000) as this was still an open recall. We feel that this is a MAJOR safety issue - we were due to leave for home the following morning where we would have been towing a 7500lbs travel trailer on the interstate roads. Had we experienced this failure then it could have been truley tragic for not only us but other motorists. After this incident we called Ford Motor Company and advised them and they told us it was still considered an open recall with no fix available.

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Fuel system · 124,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350 The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was quiet, and the vehicle lost power independently. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road while waiting for tow assistance. An Independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fuel pump was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was notified of the recall and informed the contact that parts for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel) was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 124,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Fuel system · 56,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350 used for hauling a 24-foot trailer. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. While driving and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle restarted on one occasion. The reduced power mode message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was due to the high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Fuel system · TX · fire · 1 injury

We were leaving Kerrville Tx around [XXX] on our way to Colorado for a fishing trip. We got to Colorado City Tx 3:45pm to refuel and grab a late lunch, we left at 4:30pm. We went through Snyder and Post Tx and approximately 5:45pm 1.2 miles southeast of Southland Tx, I had a warning come up on the dash saying Low Fuel Pressure and Reduced Engine Power and had smoke coming in then I pulled over asap and upon opening my door flames hit my leg and even more smoke began to fill the cab rapidly. We were fighting for our life’s. You could see fuel dripping/ flowing driver side under hood, location secondary fuel filter you can even see a trail on the pavement. I knew I had to move quickly and grabbed my 2 fire extinguishers and put to use and after I started throwing all combustibles and as many tools used on the ranch away from the vehicle. 6 Great Samaritans helped with 7 fire extinguisher as we made time to be able to separate truck and trailer by pulling the trailer from the back. But with 8-9 fire extinguishers did not put it out which is a serious problem, I now unfortunately know the taste of fire extinguishers and vehicle smoke. I got all combustibles and the trailer separated and I knew the truck was gone and I needed to get away, It seemed something was fueling it! It all happened so quickly. [XXX] and [XXX] was closed. The first firetruck with water showed up at 6:07pm and the cab of the truck had completely melted away. A Great Samaritan offered to haul the saved trailer to an rv park. I Thanked the Great Samaritans, Firefighters and Sheriff for the help with the unbelievable shocking event that had just happened. 7:05 we were in route to the rv park as the Sheriff cleared me to go. Now I have been dealing with smoke inhalation. I have never seen such an intense fire and it had me fight or flight mode. Truck had been maintained to the up most. This was a very traumatic event and has affected my breathing, sleep, PTSD and my confidence to drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Jan 19, 2025 · Fuel system · NH

Ford sent me a recall for my 2020 F350 powerstroke saying they are trying to come up with a computer programming to fix faulty fuel pump in my truck which could lead to loss of power and crashing especially while pulling heavy loads. This is a mechanical issue. It has nothing to do with a software update which they claim they do not have but will try to get. There is no fix for this at the time. There actually is a fix. S&s makes a DCR fuel pump specifically to replace these fuel pumps because these fuel pumps can blow up and ruin the entire vehicle as the vehicles with these fuel pumps are extremely expensive.. the maker of this DCR pump for a 2020 F350 6.7 l powerstroke diesel has found the mechanical problem internal to the existing fuel pumps engineering and has designed a new one. I'm sure Ford can pay for these to be put in their vehicles or design one that is similar but these are already being made, sold and installed. Ford says they do not have a remedy for this at this time but there is one and it is this DCR pump. I saved my entire life and have people working in this truck in my family in this truck since couldn't be a serious safety issue and potentially cause death. I think Ford should be having these aftermarket units put in free of charge as all safety recalls are installed free of charge. Anyways, I wanted to write to see if this would be possible or if Ford can be pushed into doing the right thing and installing these in their vehicle. They are about $2,000 and probably around $1,000 to install, but you're talking about losing a $ $70 to $100,000 vehicle and a life. I think it's worth it

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently and required several attempts before the vehicle started. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power and coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced; however, the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was unable to confirm what repair was completed. The failure recurred the following. The contact stated that the failure had occurred approximately 10 times. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Fuel system · 36,236 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and experienced loss of power steering functionality and reduced braking functionality, causing the vehicle to almost drive into a ditch while the contact was pulling over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed; however, the contact was denied warranty coverage due to fuel contamination. The contact stated that a lab later performed the fuel lab test and confirmed that the fuel was not contaminated. The vehicle was then towed to 1 Way Diesel Performance LLC, where it was determined that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and had caused metal shavings intrusion into the fuel system. The mechanic determined that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,236.

Questions about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD loss of power

Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2020 Ford F-350 SD?

14 of 189 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford F-350 SD (7%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2020.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford F-350 SD?

There are 0 recalls and 41 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford F-350 SD

Fuel pump 19Check engine light 15Won't shift 10Harsh shifting 9Jerking 9Stalling 9Door locks 8Power steering loss 8Backup camera 6Engine failure 6Hesitation 6Slipping 6Transmission failure 5

All model years of the Ford F-350 SD

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