2020 F250 Fuel Pump Recall: What Owners Need to Do
If you own a 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel, your truck may be covered by a federal safety recall for the high-pressure fuel pump. The main recall is NHTSA Campaign 24V957000, Ford number 24S78, filed December 20, 2024, covering 295,449 vehicles across the 2020–2022 Super Duty line and 2021–2022 F-650/F-750 trucks. Biodiesel deposits can form on the pump drivetrain rollers and lead to high-pressure fuel pump failure, which can cause a loss of drive power. The dealer fix is a free software update to the powertrain control module and transmission control module, not an automatic pump replacement. A follow-up recall, 26V158000, was issued in March 2026 for a smaller group of trucks that were repaired incorrectly under 24V957.
Check your VIN before you assume anything. Model year alone does not confirm coverage, and the recall applies to diesel trucks, not every 2020 F-250 on the road. The 2020 F-250 was sold with gasoline engines including the 6.2L V8 and 7.3L V8, as well as the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel. The high-pressure fuel pump campaign is tied to the diesel fuel system.
If your VIN is included, call a franchised Ford dealer and schedule the recall. Federal safety recall work is performed at no charge to the owner, including for people who bought the truck used. Ford customer service can be reached at 1-866-436-7332, and the number to give the service writer is 24S78. The NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline is 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), and the agency site is nhtsa.gov.
This article is written for U.S. owners who need a plain answer, a way to check their truck, and a practical plan for what to do before and after the dealer visit. It uses the official recall descriptions, Ford's stated remedy, NHTSA recall listings, and diesel repair sources that describe what happens when a CP4-style high-pressure pump wears internally.
1. The Recall Facts, Without the Confusion
1) The original campaign is 24V957000 / Ford 24S78. Ford reported it to NHTSA on December 20, 2024, and the database record was created December 23, 2024. The component is listed as "Fuel System, Diesel: Delivery: Fuel Pump."
2) The affected group is large. The listed vehicles are certain 2020–2022 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 and F-600 trucks, plus 2021–2022 F-650 and F-750 trucks. The potential number of units affected is 295,449. Reporting on the recall describes the covered trucks as 6.7L diesel models built in a production window that includes May 14, 2019 through August 23, 2021, though owners should rely on a VIN lookup rather than a build-date estimate.
3) The stated defect involves biodiesel deposits. Ford's summary says deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. Coverage of the filing connects the problem to aged biodiesel and fuel that sat during pandemic-era supply disruptions, which can leave deposits that increase wear inside the pump.
4) The safety consequence is loss of drive power. NHTSA's consequence statement says high-pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford said at the time of the recall that it was not aware of accidents, fires or injuries related to this issue.
5) The official remedy is software. Dealers update the powertrain control module (PCM) and transmission control module (TCM) software free of charge. Some early recall listings described only a PCM update and said an interim owner letter would be followed by a second notice once the final remedy was available. A later listing of 24V957 says owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026, and describes both PCM and TCM updates. If your paperwork or dealer printout uses different wording, ask the dealer to confirm the current remedy status for your VIN.
6) There is a follow-up recall for incorrect prior repairs. NHTSA campaign 26V158000, dated March 17, 2026, covers certain 2020–2022 F-250 through F-550, 2021–2022 F-600, and 2022 F-750 vehicles "previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957." Sources report the affected count as roughly 7,105 to 9,839 vehicles, depending on the dataset and date accessed. The listed remedy in the later campaign is a PCM software update, free of charge. This is why a service record matters: if you already had 24S78 done, confirm the repair was completed correctly and check whether your VIN now appears under 26V158000.
7) No "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory is listed for 24V957. The recall record shows "Consumer Advisory: Do Not Drive: No" and "Park Outside: No." That is not permission to ignore symptoms. It means the official campaign did not tell every owner to stop driving the truck immediately. If your truck is hard to start, loses power, stalls, or will not start, treat that as a repair issue and get it inspected.
2. What the Fuel Pump Does in a 6.7L Power Stroke
The fuel system on a modern diesel has a low-pressure side and a high-pressure side. The tank, lift pump, filters and supply lines move diesel forward. The high-pressure fuel pump then raises pressure high enough for the common-rail injectors to deliver fuel into the cylinders at the right moment.
The 2020–2022 6.7L Power Stroke is associated with the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure pump, a two-piston design used on Ford Super Duty diesels in this period. A product listing for the factory-style pump identifies Bosch part 0 445 010 893 for 2020–2022 F-250 through F-600 6.7L trucks and describes rail pressure up to 29,000 psi. Ford's recall record lists a manufacturer-supplied high-pressure diesel fuel pump part number, LC3Q-9B395-AA, for the recalled component.
The CP4 uses diesel fuel to lubricate its own internal moving parts. That detail matters because fuel condition, water, air intrusion, restricted filters and internal deposits are not minor housekeeping issues on this pump. Bosch's technical description confirms the CP4 uses a camshaft to drive the pumping elements and relies on fuel lubrication. When internal wear begins, metal can be generated inside the pump and move into fuel paths.
Ford's recall explanation focuses on biodiesel deposits on the drivetrain rollers. Diesel repair sources describe a broader set of risks: low lubricity, contaminated fuel, water, air in the supply and aged biodiesel. Those are related but not identical claims. The official recall is about deposits leading to pump failure. The repair shops are describing the mechanical reasons these pumps can be sensitive to fuel quality and why a failure can become expensive.
A useful way to read both: the recall tells you why Ford and NHTSA opened a safety campaign; the service information tells you what a technician will look for when a truck comes in with symptoms. Neither one replaces a VIN check or a proper diagnosis.
3. How to Check Your 2020 F-250 in 5 Minutes
1) Find your VIN. It is printed on the driver-side dashboard near the windshield, on the driver's door jamb label, on your registration, and on your insurance card. Write down all 17 characters. A license plate search can pull the wrong vehicle if state DMV records still link that plate to a truck you used to own; NHTSA says to use the VIN in that situation.
2) Use an official VIN lookup. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or Ford's recall page at ford.com/support/recalls/. The NHTSA site searches recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications. Look for 24V957000 and 26V158000, and check whether the status says open, completed, or remedy not yet available.
3) Call the dealer with the campaign numbers. Say: "I have a 2020 F-250 with the 6.7L diesel. Please check my VIN for Ford recall 24S78 / NHTSA 24V957 and tell me if 26V158 applies." Ask whether the PCM and TCM software update is available for your truck that day.
4) Ask three direct questions.
- "Will this be performed at no charge under the safety recall?"
- "Will the printout show the campaign number and the software calibration installed?"
- "If I already had 24S78 done, was it completed correctly, or does my VIN appear in 26V158?"
5) Keep the repair order. Save the invoice even if the charge is $0. It should show the VIN, date, mileage, campaign number and work performed. That record helps if a later campaign appears, if you sell the truck, or if a fuel-system concern comes up during a warranty discussion.
6) Do not pay for a diagnosis of the recall itself. The recall remedy is free. If the dealer finds a separate problem, such as a clogged filter, a failed sensor or contamination, ask for a written estimate and a clear explanation of what is recall work and what is not.
4. Symptoms Owners Actually Notice
Hard starting or extended cranking is one of the most commonly listed signs. The engine needs adequate rail pressure before it starts, and a worn pump may take longer to build it. A restricted filter, air in the system or low-pressure supply problem can produce the same complaint, so a scan and pressure check come before a pump conclusion.
Crank but no start can follow a more advanced failure. If the truck turns over normally but will not fire after the recall notice arrives, do not keep cycling the key for long periods. Have it towed or inspected.
Reduced engine power or a "Reduced Engine Power" message is reported in fuel-pressure cases, especially under acceleration or while towing. On a work truck, this often shows up first with a trailer attached or on a highway grade.
Unexpected stalling is listed among possible CP4 failure symptoms. Because the official consequence of the recall is loss of drive power, treat any stall as a safety issue, not an annoyance.
Check Engine Light and fuel-rail-pressure faults are common diagnostic clues. Code P0087 is frequently discussed in connection with low fuel rail pressure on 6.7L trucks. A code tells a technician where to test; it does not by itself prove the pump has failed.
Unusual pump noise — whining or grinding from the engine or fuel pump area — is listed in owner-facing guidance and parts references. Noise plus a pressure fault deserves a prompt inspection.
Rough idle, misfires or bucking can appear when contamination affects injector behavior. These symptoms can also come from injectors, sensors, wiring or fuel supply restrictions.
Here is the important caution: a CP4 can fail with little or no warning. Some trucks show hard starting and pressure faults first; others have a sudden shutdown or no-start. Symptoms give you a reason to diagnose the truck, not proof that the pump is the cause.
5. Why a Failed High-Pressure Pump Gets Expensive
When internal wear produces metal debris, the debris can move beyond the pump into the injectors, both fuel rails, high-pressure lines, return lines, low-pressure components, the tank and the sending unit. Common-rail parts have very small internal passages, and a simple flush may not reliably remove every particle. S&S Diesel Motorsport estimates a complete CP4-related fuel-system repair at $10,000 to $15,000, depending on contamination, model year, labor rates and how many parts need replacement. Other diesel sources give similar ranges of $8,000 to $15,000+ for full contamination repairs.
If the problem is caught before contamination spreads, the repair may stay limited to the pump and nearby parts. That is why shops emphasize inspection over guesswork. A proper workup includes scanning the truck, checking the low-pressure supply, inspecting filters and comparing commanded rail pressure with actual rail pressure. Metal found at the fuel control actuator, in a return filter or elsewhere in the system is a reason to stop running the engine and evaluate the whole fuel system.
A recall software update does not repair metal damage that already exists. If your truck is showing symptoms at the time of your recall appointment, say so clearly on the phone and in writing on the repair order. Ask the service department to document the complaint before the software is updated. That protects your record and helps the technician separate a recall calibration from an existing mechanical fault.
6. The Official Fix, and Why Some Owners Ask More Questions
Ford's remedy for 24V957 is a free PCM and TCM software update. Early notices described interim letters mailed January 9, 2025, telling owners about the safety risk, with a second notice to follow when the final remedy was available. Ford's owner notification timing was reported as January 13, 2025 in one automotive summary, while a later recall record lists owner letters mailed January 23, 2026. Dates differ across sources because the campaign moved from an interim notice to a final remedy. Your VIN status and dealer printout are the current authority for your truck.
Diesel publications have been direct about their disappointment with a software-only remedy. Diesel Army reported that Ford's update was described as a change to the fuel system cooling strategy, and that many owners wanted a hardware fix instead. The same report says Ford began investigating CP4 failures in late 2021 after a rise in warranty claims, had logged more than 3,000 warranty claims and nearly 500 field reports by late 2024, and had moved from the RP7 pump to an improved RP8 version during 2021 production. Ford's own recall filing, however, states the defect as biodiesel deposits on the pump drivetrain rollers. Both belong in a fair summary: the official campaign has one stated cause and one stated remedy; the specialist press has raised broader concerns about the CP4 design.
It is also worth knowing how another manufacturer handled a CP4 campaign. Ram's 2022 recall, NHTSA 21V-880, covered about 222,400 diesel trucks and used a CP3 pump replacement as the remedy. That does not change what Ford is offering on 24V957. It explains why some F-250 owners ask whether software is enough.
Ford has said it is not aware of accidents, fires or injuries tied to this pump failure. NHTSA's concern is the increased crash risk from losing drive power. Both statements can be true at the same time.
7. Practical Fuel Habits for a 2020 F-250 Diesel
No maintenance step can guarantee that a CP4 will never fail. These habits reduce avoidable fuel-system risks and cost far less than a contamination repair.
1) Change fuel filters on schedule. Use the interval in your owner's manual or diesel supplement, and shorten it if you buy fuel from unfamiliar stations, run a high-mileage work truck, or store the truck for long periods. Restricted filters and low-pressure supply problems can mimic pump failure and can also starve the high-pressure pump.
2) Drain the fuel/water separator promptly. Ford instructs owners to drain the separator when the water-in-fuel warning appears and warns that neglect can damage injection equipment or cause reduced-power operation. Make it part of a weekly walk-around on a truck that tows or sits outdoors.
3) Buy from stations with steady diesel turnover. Aged biodiesel is central to Ford's recall explanation. A busy truck stop generally moves fuel faster than a rarely used pump at a small lot. Keep receipts if your truck is used for business; they help a technician trace a fuel-quality complaint.
4) Do not ignore repeated fuel-pressure symptoms. Hard starts, pressure faults and reduced power can come from filters, air intrusion, injector return, sensors or wiring. Replacing a fuel rail pressure sensor without testing mechanical pressure, or replacing a high-pressure pump without checking clogged filters first, are listed as common wrong fixes.
5) Ask about contamination control. Some owners install aftermarket prevention or filtration kits intended to catch debris before it spreads. These products do not stop the pump itself from wearing, and any modification should be discussed with a diesel technician familiar with your exact truck, especially if warranty or emissions coverage is involved.
6) Keep a symptom log. Date, mileage, outside temperature, fuel station, trailer weight, warning message and whether the engine was hot or cold. A technician can do more with that than with "it acted up last week."
8. Dealer Visit Checklist
1) Before you go: VIN, current mileage, recall letter if you received one, registration, and a short written list of symptoms.
2) At the write-up: Confirm 24S78 / 24V957000 and ask whether 26V158000 applies. State that the work should be no charge.
3) Ask what will be updated: PCM, TCM, or both, and whether the final calibration is available now. If the dealer says only an interim step is available, ask when the final notice will arrive and get it in writing.
4) If you have symptoms: Request a diagnostic scan, low-pressure supply check, filter inspection, and a comparison of commanded versus actual rail pressure. Ask the shop to check for metal debris if a CP4 failure is suspected.
5) Before you pay anything: Get a written estimate separating recall work from customer-pay repairs. Recall software is not a chargeable item.
6) When you leave: Keep the repair order. Recheck your VIN at nhtsa.gov after a few days to confirm the campaign shows as closed. If it still shows open, call the dealer with the repair order in hand.
9. Buying or Selling a Used 2020 F-250
If you are shopping for a used 2020 F-250 diesel, run the VIN before the test drive. Ask the seller for the recall repair order and for fuel filter service records. A clean recall status is good, but it does not tell you how the truck was fueled or whether hard-start complaints were investigated.
On a cold start, listen for extended cranking. On the road, pay attention to power under load, warning messages, and any stall or hesitation. Ask a diesel shop for a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for fuel-rail-pressure codes and a look at filter condition. Given the $10,000–$15,000 contamination repair range reported by diesel specialists, a pre-purchase inspection is cheap by comparison.
If you are selling, print the VIN recall result and hand over the repair order. It is a simple way to show the truck was maintained and that the safety campaign was handled.
Private-party buyers should also know that safety recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer regardless of whether they are the original owner. A seller's claim that "the recall was never done, so the price is lower" is not a reason to skip the dealer visit.
10. Replacement Pumps, Parts Choices, and KEMSO
If your truck needs a replacement fuel pump outside of recall work, consider KEMSO. KEMSO builds high-performance fuel pumps, supplies direct-fit OEM replacement options, and backs its products with a lifetime warranty. The company says its fuel pumps are flow-tested, that fitment and application data are continuously researched and updated, and that its mission is to deliver direct-fit OEM replacement and high-performance fuel system solutions for automotive and powersports applications. Its catalog covers cars, motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, jet skis, marine engines, tractors and small engines, with installation guides and technical support for DIY owners and repair shops. KEMSO describes itself as a family-owned business that started in Dalhart, Texas in 1999 and later expanded to a 15,000-square-foot facility in Houston, Texas.
A careful buyer should match the replacement part to the exact job. The Ford recall concerns the engine-mounted high-pressure diesel injection pump on the 6.7L Power Stroke. Many aftermarket "fuel pump" listings refer to the in-tank electric lift pump or module on gasoline vehicles and powersports applications. Before ordering, confirm your year, engine, VIN, and the exact pump location with the supplier or your technician. For any F-250 that has had a CP4 failure, also ask whether metal contamination reached the injectors, rails and lines; replacing one pump without inspecting the rest of the system can leave debris behind.
For product research, fitment help and KEMSO's fuel pump catalog, visit https://www.kemsoracing.com/.
11. Straight Answers to Common Owner Questions
Is every 2020 F-250 recalled?
No. The campaign covers certain 2020–2022 Super Duty trucks with the 6.7L diesel, along with certain F-650/F-750 models. Gasoline 6.2L and 7.3L F-250 trucks are not part of this diesel high-pressure pump campaign. Use the VIN, not the model year.
Will Ford replace my fuel pump for free?
The published remedy for 24V957 is a free PCM and TCM software update, not a routine pump replacement. A pump replacement would be a separate repair decision based on diagnosis, warranty status or a documented failure.
Can I keep driving?
The recall record does not list a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory. If the truck has hard starting, stalling, reduced power, a Check Engine Light or a no-start, get it inspected promptly.
I already had 24S78 done. Am I finished?
Check again. Campaign 26V158000 was issued for trucks "previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V957." A VIN lookup and the dealer's final repair record settle it.
Does the recall cover a $12,000 fuel system repair automatically?
No. The recall covers the listed free remedy. If contamination has already spread, the repair scope is a separate conversation with the dealer, Ford customer service, or your warranty provider. Document everything.
What if the dealer says the software is not ready?
Early recall notices said interim letters were sent and a second notice would follow when the final remedy was available. Ask to be contacted when it is ready, keep the interim letter, and recheck the VIN periodically.
Can I file a complaint?
Yes. Owners may contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov. Reporting a real-world failure adds to the federal record.
12. The Short Version to Keep on Your Phone
1) Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ford.com/support/recalls/.
2) Ask for Ford 24S78 / NHTSA 24V957000 and check for 26V158000.
3) Get the free PCM/TCM software update and keep the repair order.
4) Treat hard starts, stalls, reduced power and fuel-pressure codes as a reason for a real diagnosis, not a guess.
5) Change filters on time, drain the water separator, buy fresh diesel, and investigate small symptoms early.
6) Ford: 1-866-436-7332. NHTSA: 1-888-327-4236.
The recall is real, the fix is free, and the VIN is the only thing that tells you whether your truck is in it. Do that first. Then handle fuel maintenance and any symptoms with a shop that will test rail pressure and inspect for debris before selling you a pump. For owners comparing replacement fuel pump brands, KEMSO offers high-performance, direct-fit OEM replacement pumps with a lifetime warranty, and its catalog and support resources are at https://www.kemsoracing.com/.
Sources used for the recall details: NHTSA campaign listings mirrored by OEMDTC, Justia, Cars.com, USA TODAY, Autoweek, Motor Authority, Ford Authority, CarComplaintData, ARFC and the DOT recall report; Ford's stated remedy and owner notification record; NHTSA's recall lookup guidance; KEMSO's company and product information; and diesel technical sources including S&S Diesel Motorsport, Diesel Army, ProSource Diesel, Pure Diesel Power and Go-Parts for symptoms, CP4 operation and repair-cost context.