FordF-450 Super Duty2020Overview/ford/f-450-super-duty/2020/base/

2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 F-450 Super Duty.

The 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty carries 24 total owner complaints with the diesel fuel system ranking as the top complaint area and a single recall on file, a complaint volume that far exceeds the 2009–2014 model years where annual totals ranged from just one in 2010 to a peak of two in 2011, marking this model year as a distinct departure from the earlier Super Duty reliability pattern.

Model year20252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque165 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 750 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 750 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeLT225/70R19.5GOEM · verified
Wheel / rimNS inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length263.8 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height81.1 in
Wheelbase176 in
Curb weight8589 lb
Track (front / rear)74.8 / 74.8 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the F-450 Super Duty of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2017 King Ranch Crew Cab DRW (8.2 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017King Ranch Crew Cab DRW (8.2 ft. Bed) 6.7L Turbo Diesel V88.00 sec16.10 sec440 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 165 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts165 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.68 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.68 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 35.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 105°15 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 74.044 in
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-2015 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-489 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 10,000 miAir Filter Restriction Gauge (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Diesel Emissions Fluid (fill)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 90,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

From 2009 to 2014, the F-450 showed a trend of minimal consumer complaints, ranging from 0 to 2 annually, with steady recall activity. In contrast, the 2020 model year represents a significant spike in reported issues, specifically with 7 complaints regarding the diesel fuel system and 4 concerning the power train. The 2020 record also notes 2 crash complaints and 2 fire complaints, which were absent in the 2009-2014 data. The data does not specify the root cause for these fuel system or power train failures. This trajectory suggests that the 2020 model year is more prone to systemic issues than the earlier generation. Due to this increase in complaints, this is not a recommended year to buy without a comprehensive mechanical inspection.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
7
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
24
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 24 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Diesel7
Power Train4
Steering1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Engine1
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V633000Seats:Front Assembly:ReclinerReported 28/08/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 7 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25N10S12026-06-23StructureCertain 2017-2025 F-450 – F-600 Chassis Cab Upfitted with an Aerial Bucket Frame Rail…
SAN-Vol1 I12023-06-08EquipmentThe Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information…
21B03-S12021-03-31Power TrainCertain 2020 Model Year Super Duty F250-F600 Vehicles Equipped with a 10R140 Transmission…
TSB 20-22722020-08-19Engine And Engine CoolingSome 2015-2019 Transit vehicles equipped with a 3.2L engine, 2018-2020 F-150 vehicles…
20B152020-04-23Engine And Engine CoolingIn some of the affected vehicles , a piston oil cooler bracket may have been damaged…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific F-450 Super Duty. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 F-450 Super Duty have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.