2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty · symptom sheet
Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close
- 33owner reports
- 33,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Oct 17, 2024 · checked Oct 2, 2026
77 of the 1,155 complaints on this car are about the structure. 33 of those describe tailgate or liftgate failure.
Tick what matches of 33 reports
Tailgate or liftgate failure on other F-250 Super Duty years
No other F-250 Super Duty model year has enough reports of tailgate or liftgate failure for a sheet of its own. See every F-250 Super Duty year.
What this problem usually is
Two different problems share this sheet. Pickup owners report tailgates that drop open on their own, sometimes at speed with cargo in the bed. SUV and minivan owners report liftgates that won't latch, won't stay up, or come down on someone.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the structure cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
Water may enter the electrical wiring system and cause a short circuit, activating the switch and releasing the tailgate latches.
The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the doors opening while driving although they appear to be closed.
All 15 recalls on the 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the structure on the F-250 Super Duty
Power tailgate release systems. Closed jan 10, 2024.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 47,000 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some 2015-2022 F-150 and 2017-2022 F-Super Duty vehicles may experience issues with the tailgate center step moulding. If there is an issue with the center molding (warped, damaged condition, loose, or if the molding is missing), the trim cover is now ...
Certain 2017-2022 Model Year Super Duty Vehicles Equipped with a Power Release Tailgate - Unintended Tailgate Opening. In the affected vehicles, some customers report experiencing an unintended tailgate opening and may have previously serviced their vehicle ...
In the affected vehicles, some customers report experiencing an unintended tailgate opening and may have previously serviced their vehicle for this concern.
What owners wrote
“The tailgate opens intermittently even after the original recall was done twice and the cab button was replaced and the tailgate actuator was replaced. It happens months apart but does happen. May 15, 2022; Feb 27, 2022; Repairs; Aug 21, 2021; May 22, 2021; Apr 25, 2021; Recall 2nd time; Recall; Opened 4 other times before I started paying attention.”
Filed May 28, 2022
“Cargo bed tailgate has opened while driving/operating the vehicle on three different occasions even AFTER the tailgate recall repair (FORD 19S48) has been applied.”
Filed Dec 2, 2021
“Trucks automatic tailgate opens by itself. I had the recall repair performed, however, the issue continues. The tailgate opens by itself even after the recall repair. Issue #2- Passenger seat headrest bracket is broken and rattling loudly. Numerous complaints on the internet.”
Filed Sep 29, 2021
“I have had the tail gate open several times. I have had the tailgate repaired under a recall twice and then I replaced the entire wiring harness for it. Unfortunately the issue continues to happen.”
Filed Sep 17, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 33 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Steering wheel shakes or the "death wobble" 667 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 587 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 72 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 27 reports