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Service bulletins for the 2020 Ford F-150

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

247 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

By type

By component

By trouble code

Only bulletins with component: Engine are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
SSM 552282026-10-12. Service bulletin. ENGINE; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01 Engine > Removal and Installation > Engine Front Cover service procedure has been updated to include a new essential special service tool (ESST) guide pin alignment tool (303-1790) that is used to align the engine front cover to the engine block, preventing the O-ring seal on the engine oil galley feed tube from getting damaged during installation.
SSM 542622025-10-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Some 2019-2020 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2020 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) engine, 2020 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost, and 2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine. This noise may occur on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to an internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. If diagnostics lead to the VCTs as the source of the noise, refer to the 2024 F-150 Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Pinpoint Test F. Pinpoint test F has been updated to include additional steps along with a video on how to identify the single affected VCT unit that requires replacement.
SSM 537642025-05-21. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN; ENGINE. Some 2020 Continental, 2020-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2020-2025 Explorer/Aviator/Escape/Corsair/F-150/F-Super Duty/Ranger/Transit/E-Series, 2021-2025 Bronco, and 2022-2025 Maverick vehicles may require an engine cooling system flush to be performed for various concerns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-03 has been updated to eliminate the need to remove and install the radiator assembly to perform a radiator flush.
SSM 527722024-08-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Some 2020-2024 F-150, 2021-2024 Bronco, and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a stuck internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit.
TSB 24-21152024-05-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This article supersedes TSB 22-2260 to update the vehicle applications. Some 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0420 and/or P0430 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to calibration and controls sensitivity.
SSM 524472024-05-03. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2020-2024 F-150 and 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a stuck internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, replace all 4 of the VCT units following Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01. For claiming, use causal part 6C525 and applicable labor operations in Section 6 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual. If labor times are not available, claim M-time.
SSM 523352024-03-20. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
SSM 523342024-03-20. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2011-2024 Mustang and F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L engine may exhibit a tick tap and/or typewriter ticking noise at idle after an engine oil change. It is often referred to as typewriter noise because of its similarity to the sound of a mechanical typewriter. The noise in question may be heard on some engines when engine temperatures reach 150°F (65°C) or higher and engine speed is at idle up to approximately 1700 RPM. It can typically be heard at the front wheel well and is often isolated to the transmission bell housing or oil pan area. The typewriter noise tick rate can be faster or slower and is not detrimental to the engine function or durability and has no short or long term effects on the engine. This an operating characteristic of the 5.0L engine and no repairs should be attempted. This information along with an example audio clip has been added to the WSM Section 303-00 Engine System General Information > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > PPT F > Step F2.
TSB 23-21432023-05-31. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN. Some 2017-2020 F-150 and 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 30-Nov-2019 and equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. Some vehicles may also exhibit an intermittent condition with no auto restart during auto-start-stop operation with or without diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P164C present in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to a worn variable camshaft timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the VCT units.
SSM 516652023-05-29. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2021-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L engine may exhibit an upper engine thump/knock noise coming from the left cylinder head. This condition is most noticeable at idle and may lessen at higher engine speed or while driving. This condition does not affect vehicle durability and will not get worse over time. Use a stethoscope or chassis ears and listen just behind the left cylinder head intake VCT solenoid on the cam cover to determine if the thump/knock noise is coming from the cylinder head/camshaft. The left cylinder head and the camshaft roller followers are available as service parts.
SSM 515422023-05-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN. Some 2020-2023 F-150 and 2021-2023 Bronco vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a stuck internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, replace all 4 of the VCT units following Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-01. For claiming, use causal part 6C525 and applicable labor operations in Section 6 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual. If labor times are not available, claim M-time.
SSM 512962023-01-31. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2015-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L, 3.5L or 5.0L engine may require replacement of the long block engine assembly. New service kits have been released which include all the one-time-use components required in the service procedure for removal and replacement of the long block engine assembly. Refer to the Ford Electronic Parts Catalog (ECAT) for long block service kit part number by application.
TSB 22-23932022-11-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2019-2021 F-150 vehicles built on or before 04-Mar-2021 and equipped with a 5.0L engine may experience an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175, P0364, P060B, P062B, P1104, P164C, P2601, P2BEC, P2BED, P2BEE, P2BEF, P2BF0, P2BF1, P2BF2 and/or P2BF3 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to various software parameters within the PCM. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM and reset the keep alive memory (KAM).
TSB 22-23862022-11-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2018-2021 F-150 vehicles equipped with the 3.0L diesel engine may experience low oil pressure at idle after an oil change. This condition may be caused by a broken anti-drain back oil plug in the oil filter adapter. The anti-drain back oil plug is now available to be serviced separately from the oil filter adapter. To correct this condition, follow this service procedure to replace the anti-drain back oil plug.
SSM 509882022-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2018-2021 F-150 3.3L, 2020-2021 Explorer 3.3L, and 2020-2021 Transit 3.5L may experience an illuminated low oil pressure and malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0521 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) after a short block or long block replacement. This may be due to a design change of the engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor, which is not backwards compatible. To correct the condition, transfer the sensor from the original engine or replace the EOP sensor with GN1Z-9D290-D.
TSB 22-22002022-05-24. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2017-2020 F-150 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 31-Oct-2019 and equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to a worn variable cam timing (VCT) unit. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the VCT units.
21N03-S42022-04-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L GTDI Engine - Cam Phase Replacement. Parts Requirements / Order information - Intake Gaskets HL3Z-9439-A should be inspected and only replaced if damaged. It is no longer required to replace these gaskets.
TSB 22-20892022-03-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN; UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Some 2015-2022 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit poor air conditioning (A/C) performance, loss of airflow and/or engine cooling fans running continuously from high A/C pressures. This concern may be from the evaporator freezing up due to the evaporator temperature sensor being biased. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the evaporator temperature sensor.
SSM 504452022-02-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Some 2021 F-150 vehicles built on or before 01-Feb-2021, 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine, 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 5.0L engine, 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine may exhibit a high pitched squeal or whistle type noise from the engine compartment after the engine is shut off. This condition may be due to the air conditioning (A/C) low side system pressure exceeding the high side pressure resulting in equalization of A/C system pressures through the A/C compressor. An updated A/C compressor has been released to resolve this concern. For claiming, use causal part 19703 and applicable labor operations in Section 11 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
TSB 21-24042022-02-04. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE. Some 2015-2021 F-150, 2017-2021 Super Duty and 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit poor air conditioning (A/C) performance, loss of airflow and/or engine cooling fans running continuously from high A/C pressures. This concern may be from the evaporator freezing up due to the evaporator temperature sensor being biased. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the evaporator temperature sensor.
TSB 21-24432022-01-01. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 5.0L flex fuel engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0171, P0172, P0174 and/or P0175. This may be due to software parameters in the powertrain control module (PCM). To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to reprogram the PCM.
SSM 503232021-12-26. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Some 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2016-2022 F-650/F-750 with 6.7L diesel engines, 2015-2019 Transit with 3.2L diesel engines and 2018-2021 F-150 with 3.0L diesel engines may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P206C in the powertrain control module (PCM). Review of repair data supports that P206C is often the result of incorrect diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) concentration. Per Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Pinpoint Test (PPT) RJ, a DEF concentration reading below 28% will set P206C and cause vehicle derate. If low concentration is suspected, drain fluid and replace with known good DEF before replacing any parts. Low concentration of DEF is not a warrantable condition.
21N03-S32021-12-07. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L GTDI Engine Cam Phaser Replacement REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT • Parts Requirements / Ordering Information - Due to limited availability of originally specified parts, alternate option parts have been added. • Submitting Claims with Customer Loyalty Program for Balance Remaining – Added instructions on how to use Lincoln Loyalty funds.
21N082021-11-02. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE; ENGINE. Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L GTDI Engine PCM Reprogram Due to Engine Shudder; Owner Letter sent
TSB 21-23362021-10-05. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. Some 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles built on or before 1-Apr-2020 equipped with a 3.0L diesel engine, 2017-2019 F-Super Duty vehicles built on or before 30-Oct-2019 equipped with a 6.7L engine and 2016-2019 F-650/F-750 vehicles built on or before 30-Oct-2019 equipped with a 6.7L engine may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P21DD, P20BA. P20B9, P204C, P208A, P208B, P208C, P203B, P205B, P21CD and/or U02A2 in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to water intrusion within connectors C3613 and/or C4851/C3610 on the reductant harness going to the reductant pump/heater assembly and the reductant level sensor/quality module. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the reductant tank harness, the reductant pump/heater assembly and/or the reductant tank.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.