The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·19V864000·Announced 2019-12-04

Ford Recalls 2017-2019 Super Duty Trucks for Tailgate Latch Defect

Ford is recalling 2017-2019 Super Duty trucks because water intrusion may cause the tailgate to open unexpectedly, creating a road hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where unintended tailgate opening could cause cargo to fall and increase crash risk, but no specific injuries or fatalities are reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2017-2019 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks equipped with an electric tailgate latch release switch. The recall affects approximately 231,664 vehicles.

The defect involves the possibility of water entering the electrical wiring system, which may cause a short circuit. This can activate the switch and release the tailgate latches, causing the tailgate to open unexpectedly. 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.

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 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FORD F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — Truck
Hazard
Affected units
231,664

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • F-350 SD
  • F-250 SD
  • F-450 SD

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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