Diagsheet

2018 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Doors, latches or locks fail

  • 46owner reports
  • 42,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Jul 14, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

64 of the 2,293 complaints on this car are about the latches/locks/linkages. 46 of those describe door latch.

Tick what matches of 46 reports

5
2
45
17
16

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (44 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the latches/locks/linkages covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

21V-983Dec 16, 2021
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles with manual and power release tailgates. The tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while driving.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Unexpected 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: Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches, free of charge. An interim notification letter was mailed January 31, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S53.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 16,796 and 72,361 miles, from the 31 reports that gave a mileage.

919
120
321
1122
1123
324
625
226

What owners wrote

“When closing the driver's side door, the door will not latch close. I had to drive the vehicle with the door unlatched or with me holding the door closed and driving with one hand.Three days ago, 3 out of the 4 doors would not open after unlocking the vehicle. This is the same issue and recall on 2017 Ford F-150 and I don't like the fact of my door flying open at random. This is unsafe and needs to be addressed!”

Filed Feb 2, 2023

“Driver door swung open while driving and then would not stay latched. Door frequently will not latch.”

Filed Jan 29, 2023

“My door latch froze open during the recent hard freeze in Louisiana. The door would not latch closed. I had to drive home, holding the door closed with my hand. I previously brought my forward to the dealership because there was a door latch safety recall, but Ford would not fix it, saying I lived in a warm climate.”

Filed Dec 28, 2022

“The truck was sitting in the driveway and out of nowhere the alarm went off. Go out to inspect and the vehicle is showing that the driver and left back door are not closed. The driver side door will not latch it opened up out of nowhere and will not latch. Apparently this issue is know with Ford trucks when it gets too cold. This is a safety issue because the door will just open while driving.”

Filed Dec 22, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 46 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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