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Ford Super Duty tailgate can open on its own

NHTSA campaign 19V864000 · Reported 2019-12-04 · Ford Motor Company

medium How serious is it? About this label

Unintended tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

What's wrong, in plain English

These trucks have a button in the tailgate handle that releases the tailgate electrically. Water can get into the wiring behind it and cause a short circuit, which acts like someone pressing that button. The tailgate can then drop open by itself, including while you are driving. Anything loose in the bed can slide out onto the road behind you and become a hazard for the drivers following you.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your truck is covered. 2. Schedule the free repair at a Ford dealer — they add wiring pigtails and install a new tailgate handle switch. 3. Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and reference recall 19S48 with any questions.

Affected vehicles (3)

2019 Ford F-250 SD
2019 Ford F-350 SD
2019 Ford F-450 SD

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Why do Ford doors and tailgates open on their own? · all 6 Ford recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks equipped with an electric tailgate latch release switch mounted in the tailgate handle. Water may enter the electrical wiring system and cause a short circuit, activating the switch and releasing the tailgate latches.
Safety risk: Unintended tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate/frame wiring harnesses by adding jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and will install a new tailgate handle release switch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S48.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.