Reliable Auto DB

2020 Ford Transit reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Ford Transit has 84 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 7 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Transit years here — under the median of the other years, which is 9. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Latch or anchor, Back-over prevention, software, and Hoses and fittings.

2020 Ford Transit 350 XLT passenger van
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

84

Per year

7

Recalls

9

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Seats (27 of 84), then Powertrain (18) and Electrical system (14). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 5,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 1,000 and 44,721 miles. Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Transit has 37 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2021 has 23 complaints, 3 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Ford Transit. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (9)

Recall adaptive equipment, wheelchair restraints, latch or anchor 2025-12-17 · NHTSA campaign 25V876000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 86
Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 200,237
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2023-07-19 · NHTSA campaign 23V499000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 10
Recall Driveshaft 2021-12-16 · NHTSA campaign 21V978000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 4,548
Recall Parking brake linkage and cable 2021-08-11 · NHTSA campaign 21V631000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 30
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2020-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 20V575000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 620,246
Recall air bags, side and window 2020-07-17 · NHTSA campaign 20V415000
Summary 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.
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.
Vehicles affected 68
Recall seat belts, front, retractor 2020-05-05 · NHTSA campaign 20V250000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 5
Recall seat belts, front, retractor 2020-04-20 · NHTSA campaign 20V222000
Summary 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."
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.
Vehicles affected 205

NHTSA's count is every vehicle in that campaign. A campaign can cover other model years and other models.

Complaints by component (84 total)

Seats
27
Powertrain
18
Electrical system
14
Steering
6
Engine
5
Service brakes
5
Wheels
5
Back-over prevention
4
Tires
4
Forward collision avoidance
2
Structure
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Air bags
1
Equipment
1
Exterior lighting
1
Speed control
1
Suspension
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Of the 26 complaints that include an odometer reading, the median is 5,000 miles. The middle half fall between 1,000 and 44,721 miles.

Complaints filed per year

820201120213202231202313202411202572026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-17
  • "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…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-07-29
  • "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…"
    Wheels · filed 2026-06-30
  • "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…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-06-18
  • "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…"
    Powertrain, Service brakes · filed 2026-06-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Ford Transit Medium Roof (8,10,12) Pass WAGON RWD 3 stars 3 stars 5 stars 2 stars
2020 Ford Transit High Roof (8,10,12) Pass WAGON RWD 2 stars 3 stars 5 stars 1 star
2020 Ford Transit High Roof 15 Pass WAGON RWD 3 stars 3 stars 5 stars 1 star
2020 Ford Transit Low Roof (8,10,12) Pass WAGON RWD 4 stars 3 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2020 Ford Transit Low Roof 15 Pass WAGON RWD 3 stars 3 stars 5 stars 2 stars
2020 Ford Transit Medium Roof 15 Pass WAGON RWD 3 stars 3 stars 5 stars 2 stars
2020 Ford Transit VAN RWD Not rated 3 stars Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Transit T150 Wagon two-wheel drive flex-fuel 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 15 19 17 MPG $3800
Transit T150 Wagon four-wheel drive flex-fuel 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) All-wheel drive 14 19 16 MPG $4050

Specs and fitment

2020 facelift (US market), 2020–present
Body styles Cargo van, Passenger van, Crew van
Oil 3.5L V6 (PFDI), 5W-30 , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 235/65R16C (varies with vehicle options)
Towing capacity 6,900 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA recall 21V-978 (Ford 21S54) covers certain 2020 model-year Transit vans equipped with all-wheel drive, on which the bolts attaching the rear driveshaft to the transfer case may become loose or damaged and let the driveshaft separate, causing a loss of drive power or unintended movement while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Ford's dealers inspect and replace the driveshaft bolts free of charge, and if any loose bolts are found they also replace the driveshaft, attachment hardware, transfer case flange kit and seal. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Ford Transit Next year 2021 Ford Transit See every Ford Transit model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ford Transit reliable?

The 2020 Ford Transit has 84 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 7 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Transit years here — under the median of the other years, which is 9. NHTSA has 9 recalls on file, including Latch or anchor, Back-over prevention, software, and Hoses and fittings.

What are common problems with a 2020 Ford Transit?

The complaints owners file most often name Seats (27 of 84), then Powertrain (18) and Electrical system (14). Complaints that include an odometer have a median of 5,000 miles, and the middle half falls between 1,000 and 44,721 miles. Those filings include 1 that reports a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2020 Ford Transit more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Transit has 37 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2021 has 23 complaints, 3 per year. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Ford Transit been recalled?

The 2020 Ford Transit has 9 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Ford Transit?

Owners have filed 84 complaints about the 2020 Ford Transit with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Ford Transit get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Ford Transit is 16.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What did the Ford Transit replace in the US lineup?

The Transit replaced the Ford E-Series (Econoline) full-size van starting with the 2015 model year.

Was the 2020 Ford Transit a full redesign?

No, it was a mid-cycle facelift with a new front fascia, dashboard, base engine, and available all-wheel drive, not a new platform.