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Ford Super Duty Tailgate May Open on Its Own

NHTSA campaign 19V864000 · Reported Dec 4, 2019 · Ford Motor Company

medium How serious is it? About this label

A tailgate that opens on its own can let loose cargo fall onto the road and become a hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	19V864000
Reported to NHTSA	Dec 4, 2019
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
Vehicles covered	4 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2019
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

These Super Duty trucks have an electric tailgate release switch built into the tailgate handle. Water can get into the wiring and cause a short circuit that sets off the switch, releasing the tailgate latches. The tailgate can then open when the driver did not intend it. Cargo that is not tied down could fall out of the truck bed and onto the road. Dealers will rework the wiring and install a new release switch.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your truck is included. 2. Contact your Ford dealer, or Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332, to arrange the repair. 3. The wiring change and new handle switch are free of charge.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 19V864000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (4)

2018 Ford F-250 SD
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

Ford Door Locks and Tailgate Latches May Release Unexpectedly · all 6 Ford recalls in this area

Other Ford F-450 SD recalls

Oct 20, 2026Ford F-350 SD and F-450 SD Tailgate Cable May Failhigh
Oct 6, 2026Ford Super Duty Trucks May Show Inaccurate Speedhigh
Sep 22, 2026Ford Expedition and Super Duty Trucks: Headlight Failuremedium
Mar 31, 2026Ford, Lincoln Windshield Wiper Arms May Breakmedium
Mar 17, 2026Ford Super Duty Fuel Pump May Fail Againhigh
Feb 20, 2026Ford and Lincoln Trailer Brake and Light Failurehigh

All 41 F-450 SD recalls

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.