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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2020 Ford Transit

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 84 safety complaints about the 2020 Ford Transit with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 3 mention a fire, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 9 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the seats, named in 27 complaints, 32% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 5,000 miles, the median across the 26 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

84 complaints on file

84

Complaints

1

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 47% year on year: 8 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 15 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
SEATS 27 · 32%
POWER TRAIN 18 · 21%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14 · 17%
STEERING 6 · 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 · 7%
ENGINE 5 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 6%
WHEELS 5 · 6%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 4 · 5%
TIRES 4 · 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 2 · 2%
STRUCTURE 2 · 2%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 84.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2023 at 31.

36 27 18 9
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Ford TRANSIT, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test VAN RWD
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash Not rated
Side barrier Not rated
Side pole Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

9 on file

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR:

25V876000 · December 17, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
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.

Rollx Vans · up to 86 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

23V499000 · July 19, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
The remedy
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.

QUALITY VANS · up to 10 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

21V978000 · December 16, 2021

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,548 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE

21V631000 · August 11, 2021

The defect
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.
The risk
Parking brake failure can result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 30 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

20V575000 · September 23, 2020

The defect
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."
The risk
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 620,246 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

20V415000 · July 17, 2020

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 68 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

20V250000 · May 5, 2020

The defect
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."
The risk
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
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.

National Van Builders, Inc. · up to 5 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

20V222000 · April 20, 2020

The defect
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."
The risk
An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
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.

TransitWorks · up to 205 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance

RQ21002

Still open recall query · opened August 3, 2021

back-over prevention

On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 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 for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October-November 2019 time frame. The Part 573 stated that the issue was brought to Ford's Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for review on May 12, 2020.On July 7, 2020, NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) informed the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a trend of MY 2020 Escape vehicles with rearview camera malfunctions. ODI contacted Ford the next day, providing five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging inoperative rearview cameras. On July 15, 2020, Ford met with NHTSA to discuss the rearview camera issue. In a subsequent August 24, 2020 meeting, ODI and NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) met with Ford to discuss the recall status and additional VOQs. Ford presented rate and scope data for many of its MY 2020 products during the August 2020 meeting indicating high failure rates for certain models.This RQ is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall (20V-575), and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements.The subject reports referenced in the opening resume are identified by the following ODI reference numbers which can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov: 11349813, 11344126, 11342696, 11341486, 11340254, 11337274, 11331444, 11330875, 11329235, 11316960, 11343521, 11341884, 11337226, 11344018, and 11339573.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SEATS

2 injured

1. 10 SPEED ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION - When traveling at a lower speed when approaching a turn (10, 15, 20, 25mph); when you release the accelerator to make the turn, and then begin to apply pressure to the accelerator to move forward, the transmission has not selected a gear and no acceleration occurs. This leaves the transmission between gears (neutral momentarily) and the vehicle has no power to move forward. It has happened on several occasions and I believe it places the driver in a dangerous position to not maintain power to the drive train. 2. FRONT SEAT ADJUSTMENT RAILS - The two rails on each seat are irregular shaped heavy metal rails which the seat assembly slides back and forth on.

NHTSA complaint 11448677, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

Left the van running in my driveway next thing I know it was on fire

NHTSA complaint 11499682. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

The battery's junction box in the engine compartment is melting. While I was driving, I heard a loud pop, I opened the hood, and saw smoke coming from the junction box. I noticed the box was melting around a fuse. The melting is significant, and the vehicle looked to be on fire. The smoke stopped, but I feel the vehicle could easily have caught on fire completely. There are recalls for this same exact issue but for other Ford Models. I have a fleet of these vans, and this has now occurred to 6 of them. I know other owners that this occurred to as well. I have called Ford Goodwill and they have declined to cover it under the 3-year, extended warranty. The melting was so bad on one that the

NHTSA complaint 11524889, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire

THIS IS A SECOND CASE FOR A DIFFERENT VIN WITH THE SAME ISSUE. 11524889. The battery's junction box in the engine compartment is melting. While I was driving, I heard a loud pop, I opened the hood, and saw smoke coming from the junction box. I noticed the box was melting around a fuse. The melting is significant, and the vehicle looked to be on fire. The smoke stopped, but I feel the vehicle could easily have caught on fire completely. There are recalls for this same exact issue but for other Ford Models. I have a fleet of these vans, and this has now occurred to 6 of them. I know other owners that this occurred to as well. I have called Ford Goodwill and they have declined to cover it

NHTSA complaint 11524891, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

towed · 87,000 miles

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 diagnosed with internal transmission failure involving the sleeve and cylinder of the 10-speed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by email, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA complaint 11765092. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

168,000 miles

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 fraudulent Carfax report the seller provided to the contact. However, upon searching the VIN on a Ford mobile app, it was discovered that the mileage was 168,000.

NHTSA complaint 11753468. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS
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 happened

NHTSA complaint 11747513. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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 passenger rear caliper. Upon further inspection I noticed the interior housing for the piston has a portion of it missing.

NHTSA complaint 11745147. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
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 since our purchase.

NHTSA complaint 11744442. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Transmission intermittently struggling to reach 3rd, 4th, 5th gears. Performed IDS diag at shop, found hitorical code P0734 for "Incorrect gear 4 ratio" TSB 26-2046 to overhaul transmission.

NHTSA complaint 11736616. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Transit

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 5 1 —
2024 28 10 —
2023 58 19 —
2022 38 16 —
2021 23 4 —
2019 37 9 —
2018 57 14 —
2017 98 18 —
2016 155 21 1
2015 193 26 9

Other 2020 Ford models

Escape 1,602 Explorer 1,223 F-150 730 Expedition 417 Ecosport 398 Edge 318 Escape Hybrid 288 F-250 SD 263

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst