Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2020 Ford F-150
The 2020 Ford F-150 has a moderate amount of recall campaigns and owner complaints. Key concerns involve the power train and engine, with 241 and 103 complaints respectively. There are also electrical system issues and some visibility concerns. Overall, limited but notable complaints and recalls suggest checking specific areas carefully during inspection.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2020 Ford F-150 has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 562 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars, averaged across 6 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V373000 Daytime Running Lights May Not Dim/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V442000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V852000 Missing Dashboard Air Bag Warning Label/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V250000 Windshield Wipers May Fail NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V575000 Distorted or Inoperative Rearview Camera/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V467000 Power Supply Cable Incorrectly Attached to Starter NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V197000 Gear Position Display May Be Inaccurate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V097000 Daytime Running Lights May Not Dim/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V903000 Damaged Spare Tire Can Lose Air Pressure or Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V805000 Excessive Sealant Adhesive on Battery Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V633000 Reduced Seat Back Strength/FMVSS 202 & 207 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 242 complaints
- Engine 103 complaints
- Electrical System 72 complaints
- Unknown or Other 64 complaints
- Visibility 38 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 21 complaints
Of the 562 complaints on file, 19 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 562 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Gear shift issue
How to check: Ensure gear selected matches gear engaged.
Starter arcing
How to check: Inspect battery and starter connections for damage.
Headlights not dimming
How to check: Test headlight dimming from autolamps to on.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for abnormal engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for warning lights on dashboard.
Red flag: Check engine light stays on.
- 03
Low-speed maneuver
What to check: Test gear shift accuracy.
Red flag: Inconsistent gear engagement.
- 04
City driving
What to check: Check visibility with wiper operation.
Red flag: Wipers fail or are sluggish.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Listen for smooth engine sound.
Red flag: Hesitation or engine sputtering.
- 06
Braking
What to check: Verify immediate and smooth stopping.
Red flag: Brake pedal feels soft.
- 07
Parking
What to check: Check reverse camera clarity.
Red flag: Camera shows blank or distorted image.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the transmission had issues?
- Any electrical repairs done?
- Were recall fixes completed?
- Ever experienced engine failures?
- Any issues with headlights dimming?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Repair history
- Recall repair receipts
- Service records
- Original sales invoice
- Title and registration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2020 Ford F-150 at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2020 Ford F-150? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.