Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked due to an unknown electrical door lock malfunction. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would inadvertently roll forward while stopped without input from the driver. The contact depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred while the vehicle was stopped and the gear shifter was in park(P). The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled forward, struck, and ran over a passenger before coming to a stop. The passenger suffered head injuries and sought medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a defective gear shift indicator. The contact was informed that the gear shift indicator needed to be replaced. …
Cruise control was set at approx. 62 mph driving on the Interstate. An exit was taken and coming down the off ramp the truck would not slow down. It seems the brakes did not disconnect the cruise control. Brakes were both pumped and firmly depressed. No response when the gear shift was placed in a lower gear. The electronic system did not shut off after the ignition was placed in the off position. An inspection is warranted, expected and welcome. This was a Sudden Unintentional Acceleration (SUA) incident/accident!!! Numerous other vehicles were placed in danger while crossing a major intersection. Two fire trucks responding to an emergency were passed at 50 miles an hour. Many other occupied vehicles and individuals at an apartment complex were in danger of being killed or injured. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and going uphill, the parking brake engaged inadvertently, causing the contact to sustain injuries to the chest, shoulder, and face. The contact stated that during the failure, the seat belt failed to function as designed and the contact struck the windshield. The contact received medical attention at the emergency room. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Parking Brake On" remained activated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the message that the rear driver's side door was ajar was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the instrument cluster, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 76,620.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the ABS and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle started jerking. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated while driving 4 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle and the vehicle started shaking violently. Additionally, the vehicle was unable to shift into reverse(R). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the electronic parking brake erroneously activated causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. The contact stated that the parking brake message was displayed after the failure occurred. After stopping and restarting the vehicle the failure reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The check brake emergency warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
I put my truck in reverse to get out of a driveway and it kept going and accelerating...the brakes did not work. I ended up goign through a fence at the end of the street and into a shed and my truck finally stopped. I have significant damage to my truck as well as to the homeowners property...the Police classified it as equipment failure and I did not receive a ticket.
I was in an accident and the automatic braking sensor did not kick in even though there was a vehicle directly in front of me. As a result, my collision warning never sounded and the active braking feature of my vehicle never engaged.
While approaching an intersection at approximately 40 mph, I attempted to stop my truck for a red stop light. Without warning, my brake pedal went to the floor and my truck did not slow down. Thankfully there was no one in front of me and there was no cross traffic as I rolled through the intersection. As I began to analyze the situation, I started repeatedly pumping my brakes but the pedal kept going to the floor and my truck was not slowing. Thankfully it was an open roadway and I was eventually able to put the truck in neutral and coast to a near stop, at which time I realized that I did have minor braking ability, but only at approximately 10 mph or less. Any faster than that and the pedal would go to the floor. Once stopped in a parking lot, I exited my truck and noticed a large amount of brake fluid beneath it. …
Brake complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2020 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Ford F-150, 3% of the model year's 737 complaints. The component named most often is electrical (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Ford F-150 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2020 Ford F-150, though it has 11 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford F-150 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.