2020 Ford Transit Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Transit years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 9 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Transit. That ranks 4th out of 15 Transit model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is seats (27 complaints, 32%), typically at around 559 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 3 fires, 2 injuries. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 84owner complaints
- 9safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2020 Ford Transit problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 27 | 32% | 559 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 21% | 87,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 14 | 17% | 3,145 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 7% | 23,814 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 7% | 525 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 6% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 6% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 5 | 6% | 356 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 5% | 15,500 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 5% | 10,325 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 2% | 1,970 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 2% | 1,623 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 2% | 8,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2020 Ford Transit recalls (9)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment adaptive/mobility:wheelchair restraints/securement:latch/anchor:
Problem: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Quality Vans (Quality Vans) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Ford Transit vans equipped with Onan QG 2800i EVAP generators, part number 2.8HGLAA-8303A. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.
Risk: A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Quality Vans customer service at 1-480-464-7007.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Transit vehicles equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). The bolts that attach the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged, which can result in separation of the driveshaft from the transfer case.
Risk: Driveshaft separation can result in a loss of drive power, or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts. If any loose bolts are found, the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit, and seal will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S54.
Parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Transit vehicles. An incorrect driveshaft torsional damper service kit may have been installed, which can allow the damper shield to contact the parking brake cable, possibly resulting in parking brake failure.
Risk: Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side parking brake cable with a cable that provides sufficient clearance to the damper shield, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 24, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S39.
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Air bags:side/window
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Escape and Transit vehicles. The affected vehicles may have an improperly crimped diffuser in the side curtain air bags which may result in the diffuser detaching from the inflator in the event of an air bag deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the diffuser detaches from the inflator during air bag deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bag modules, free of charge. An interim letter notifying owners of the safety risk was mailed August 3, 2020. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S35.
Seat belts:front:retractor
Problem: National Van Builders, Inc. (National Van Builders) is recalling certain vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit and 2019 Ram Promaster vans equipped with Freedman GO-ES foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: National Van Builders will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 19, 2020. Owners may contact Freedman customer service at 1-800-443-4540 or National Van Builders customer service at 1-800-527-7477.
Seat belts:front:retractor
Problem: TransitWorks is recalling certain Driverge vehicles based on 2019-2020 Ford Transit vans equipped with Freedman Seating Company (FSC) PT Foldaway and GO-ES 3-point Foldaway seats. The seat belt retractor block out zone may have not been set correctly, potentially resulting in a seat belt that may not properly secure the occupant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: TransitWorks will notify owners, and dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2020. Dealers can contact Freedman Seating Company for parts and reimbursement information at 1-800-443-4540.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance (RQ21002) — opened Aug 3, 2021, still open, led to recall 26V104.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and came to a complete stop in traffic. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Ford Transit. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 69,000, which was confirmed by a…
My Tire pressure Monitor give me alert while driving I select to view tire pressures for display show 3 tires fail send reading One of the three back sending reading two stay off For few days same then all tires reading went off just 1 tire send reading on /off every few miles This is first time…
Rear brake issues. Upon taking off the brake pads on the driver's back the caliper piston would not turn in as it should. So I ordered a new one. Then I started on the passenger rear. When I tried to press and turn the piston back in it did the same thing as the other one. The piston came out of…
The bolts holding the axle together to the driveshaft failed on the rear right wheel, nearly causing an accident but fortunately it was 6am with little traffic on the interstate. The axle came out and destroyed our driveshaft, requiring a full replacement. We have had the vehicle serviced regularly…
Other Ford Transit years
← 2019 Transit · 2021 Transit →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Transit | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 Transit | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 Transit | 4 | 4 |
| 2024 Transit | 28 | 10 |
| 2023 Transit | 59 | 18 |
| 2022 Transit | 39 | 16 |
| 2021 Transit | 24 | 4 |
| 2020 | 84 | 9 |
| 2019 Transit | 37 | 9 |
| 2018 Transit | 58 | 14 |
| 2017 Transit | 98 | 18 |
| 2016 Transit | 156 | 21 |
| 2015 Transit | 193 | 26 |
| 2014 Transit | 3 | 3 |
| 2001 Transit | 1 | 0 |
See all Ford Transit problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Transit?
Owners most often report seats, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, seats, accounts for 27 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Ford Transit?
Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2020 Ford Transit a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Transit model years, the 2020 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.