Vehicles Affected: Approximately 231,700 model-year 2017-19 Ford Super Duty F-250, F-350 and F-450 heavy-duty pickup trucks equipped with an electric tailgate latch-release switch mounted in the tailgate handle and built at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville from Oct. 8, 2015 to Nov. 3, 2019
The Problem: Water entering the electrical wiring system may cause a short circuit, resulting in unintended switch activation and release of the tailgate latches, which may result in the loss of unrestrained cargo, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford said trucks with a mechanical tailgate release handle are not affected. It also said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this condition.
The Fix: Dealers will modify the tailgate frame wiring harnesses by adding jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and install a new tailgate handle release switch.
What Owners Should Do: Ford did not immediately announce an owner-notification schedule. Owners can call the automaker at 800-392-3673, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.
Need to Find a Dealer for Service? Go to Cars.com Service & Repair to find your local dealer. To check for other recalls, and to schedule a free recall repair at your local dealership, click here: Ford F-250, Ford F-350
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
