2020 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Transmission fails or needs replacement
- 66owner reports
- 68,000median miles
- $8,756median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
356 of the 730 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 66 of those describe transmission failure.
Tick what matches of 66 reports
Transmission failure on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the end of the road for a transmission: the car stops moving under its own power, or a shop says the unit has to be replaced or rebuilt. Half of the owners here mention a warning light or message, and a quarter mention it happening again or to a second unit.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (66 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
All 11 recalls on the 2020 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the F-150
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Open, led to recall 26V-237.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Closed jan 30, 2026.
Unintended transmission downshift. Closed jul 29, 2024, led to recall 24V-444.
Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.
Automatic transmission control. Closed aug 27, 1998, led to recall 97V-147.
Failure transmission park engagement/loc. Closed sep 16, 1997, led to recall 97V-147.
Transmission fluid fires. Closed jul 5, 1991.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
What owners paid
18 of the 66 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,600 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 53,000 and 82,000 miles, from the 37 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The 10R80 transmission failed internally due to the defective CDF clutch drum assembly. Vehicle experienced dangerous gear dropping/slipping. Forced to pay out of pocket at an independent shop for a total rebuild. I have not seen anything from dealer. It was inspected by an independent shop. There was no warning prior to the failure. This happened right over 100,000 miles.”
Filed Sep 9, 2026 · 100,000 miles
“Transmission failed Transmission locks up slamming vehicle to a stop. transmission sometimes will not change gears and go into neutral when driving down highway. Dealer has confirmed problem and stated that ford knows that it has a faulty CDF drum in transmission. there were not any warning lights before this started occurring.”
Filed Jun 19, 2026
“10r80 transmission shifts from 7th & 9th gear to 2nd gear causing truck to jerk and over rev. there were two mil lights local shop was able to read and reset once and cleared codes. This just recurred and truck was not able to be driven. Ended up replacing transmission same week as this problem started. New transmission has been fine since.”
Filed May 28, 2026
“Problematic transmission shifting with lower gears causing significant hard shifting and jerking motion while driving. The problem was confirmed by my local Ford dealership on 11/26/2025, who recommended an overhaul to the transmission and tear down to determine if further damage is present or if a new transmission is needed. There were no warning lamp indicators showing any earlier related matters.”
Filed Mar 9, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 66 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 193 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 86 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 75 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 44 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 32 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 28 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 25 reports