2018 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close

48owner reports
28,000median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Jul 14, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

235 of the 2,293 complaints on this car are about the structure. 48 of those describe tailgate or liftgate failure.

Tick what matches of 48 reports

it will not latch or stay closed

it opened on its own while driving

a recall covers the part

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (18 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the structure cover 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.

17V-598Sep 25, 2017

Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor Super Cab pick-up trucks not equipped with a moonroof. The structural roof braces may be missing rivets at the attachment of the roof rail, thereby reducing the structural integrity.

Risk and remedy

Risk: If the structural integrity is reduced, in the event of a rollover crash, there may be an increased risk of injury .
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install the rivets for the roof brace attachments, free of charge. The recall began October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S29.

NHTSA investigations into the structure on the F-150

PE23-001opened Jan 27, 2023

Structure · model years 2019

Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.

NHTSA summary

On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODIâs information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repai

None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 50,000 miles, from the 31 reports that gave a mileage.

118

819

620

721

1122

523

524

325

226

What owners wrote

“tailgate latch does not work all the time . sometimes just drops open when driving.”
Filed Dec 20, 2024

“Tailgate keeps falling down while traveling down the road. This has happened several times. This time after it hit the trailer after backing it up at the end of the trip.”
Filed Jun 14, 2024

“The tailgate on my truck has opened while driving down the road. This has happened several times since I have owned the truck. There are several recalls for 2018 F 150 tailgate issues. I have taken it to the Ford dealer, but was told there is no recall on trucks in my VIN range.”
Filed Apr 16, 2024

“Tailgate actuator sometimes does not open completely. Pressin the button engages the operation, I can hear it trying to unlatch, but the tailgate does not completely release. If the tailgate is not in use for awhile, opens as intended for few times.”
Filed Jan 18, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 48 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.