2020 Ford F-350 SD: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Fuel system · 180,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and towing a dump trailer, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's storage yard, where an independent diesel mechanic performed a diagnostic scan and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes indicating a fuel system failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was disassembled and diagnosed with a CP4 pump failure resulting from a water separator failure. The contact was informed that the CP4 pump replacement was not covered and needed to be replaced at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and contacted the dealer, but no further assistance or information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

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 2, 2026 · Fuel system · 270,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and unintendedly decelerated and shut off. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and a dealer was contacted. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V957000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the CP4 high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The engine was repaired, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall was on pause. The failure mileage was 270,000.

Filed Feb 29, 2024 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle experienced reduced power and went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer the following day. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tube assembly needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that it was a common failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

Emissions control system has "failed" 5 times. Check engine light illuminated. Each time: P0420 DTC code: "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). Manufacturer is unable to fix. Vehicle will go into "Limp Mode" stranding owners/passengers.

Filed Dec 18, 2023 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted and the vehicle lost motive power. After the failure, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program 21B03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2022 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and enter into Limp Mode upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated the wrench warning light had appeared on the instrument panel. The contact called the dealer and was informed that his vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2022 · Transmission · TN

Brand new 2020 F350 started having issues around 62,000 miles....we have reported these issues to Ford in Harriman and Ford in Lenoir (They do not have a transmission specialist available in Lenoir and Ford in Harriman states they don't honor my extended warranty that we purchased through Ford). In January we started having issues when we were traveling on the interstate heading towards Chattanooga. Which is only about 45 minutes to an hour away. The wrench light came on and the truck started to shift hard and at a high RPM , getting stuck in 7th gear not wanting to shift between 3rd and 4th gear. The truck started to go into limp mode and we managed to get it home and bring it to Ford in Harriman (Jerry Duncan Ford). They stated the TCM needed to be reset, and proceeded with that costing $165. Three weeks later, my truck lost all gears including park and makes a really loud grinding/screeching noise when you try to shift to anything but neutral. The truck was presenting the same issues as the first time, we got it towed to Jerry Duncan and informed them of a recall on the 2020 F350 made between the dates of February 2019- August 2020 and April 2019 - July 2020 manufactured at the Kentucky plant during these dates. My truck (same year make and model as recall ) was manufactured from the Kentucky Plant in November of 2019, showing the same issues and symptoms of the recall. Putting my truck dead smack in the recall time frame, again showing the same issues and symptoms stated in the recall. Preliminary DX from Jerry Duncan was that the Transfer case Mechanism has failed, ignoring the recalls on the truck (there is also 1 regarding back up camera and 1 regarding tow capacity that has never been addressed properly) $80k truck has been sitting in the shop for two weeks and won't be looked at for another week and half, and only has 72,000 miles on it, purchased a year ago. There is not urgency in this matter and I feel we are being booted to the back of the line.

Filed Oct 4, 2021 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the vehicle was hard to shift. The vehicle lunged forward about a foot. While driving, the vehicle skipped 4th, 5th, and 7th gear. The vehicle shutdown and went into limp mode. The power train message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with the PCM needing to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer - Cole Ford LLC (410 E Chicago St, Coldwater, MI 49036, (517) 278-5661) and diagnosed that the vehicle was working as designed. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2021 · Transmission · 152,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission experienced rough shifting and the maintenance warning light was displayed. The transmission later became stuck in 7th and 3rd gears and the vehicle went into limp mode reducing the speed to 35 mph. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.