2018 Ford F-150: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Electrical · ID

About 1 year ago the rear door on the drivers side locked and I have been unable to open it manually, with the interior unlock buttons or with the key fob. However, there have been 3 occasions during this passed year when the door inexplicably opens, twice when the truck is parked and once when I was driving down the freeway. To be clear, the door doesn’t just unlock, it opens. On those 3 three occasions, when I closed the door, it again locks and I’m unable to open it. I’ve taken the problem to 2 Ford dealerships. Both indicated they had never heard of this problem and there were no recalls related to the problem. One dealership diagnosed the issue, charging $100 and determined it was the door latch and offered to replace it ($472 for the latch and labor to be determined). I opted not to repair it thinking that the problem should be further diagnosed to determine if there are flaws in factory parts that create safety issues in this particular truck, make and model.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Body · PA

Driver door cable sticking open when low temps occur. Driver door does not latch until vehicle is locked or key is inserted into door and manually positioned or key fob is used to lock the vehicle.

Filed Jul 9, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · RI

The alarm system and hazards will randomly go on and will not turn off until you start vehicle and hit the hazard light button. If you hit the hazard button while the vehicle is off, it does not turn the hazards off. They will often remain flashing even if the horn/alarm system isn't blaring. At times hitting the hazard button has made the horn go off. The truck has started locking itself and keypad will not work to unlock only the key fob. Truck has not been driven at night since this has occurred to notice if its affecting the headlights. We have noticed that it is also affecting the cabin climate controls (air conditioning/heat). The source of the problem appears to be a malfunction with the Body Control Module (BCM). Prior to these issues arising, there were no warning or messages that appeared on the dash. The truck has been driving great. Now the check engine light is on and have to disconnect the battery so that it doesn't go off in the middle of the night again.

Filed Feb 15, 2024 · Visibility · 51,959 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was started remotely with the key fob and while approaching the trunk of the vehicle 15 minutes later, the contact became aware that the rear windshield had shattered. The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass repair shop where it was inspected, and the replacement part was ordered. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist because the VIN was not included in a safety recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,959.

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · MI

Electronic tailgate opens on its own while driving or parked. Happened several times while driving @ a month ago (today is 3/16/22) when after 3 different stops my tailgate was down. 1st time I thought my son may not have come it tightly. I closed it both times afterwards. Next morning it was down and almost obstructed garage door. I did some trial and error (below) before contacting salesperson at Ford Dealership where purchased describing the issue and the numerous recalls similar model tailgates and set up service appt. While in garage where it is quiet-you can hear the latch constantly unlocking - sometimes rapid fire. Doesn't matter if keys are near it, inside the vehicle, or nowhere close/out of range. Doesn't seem to be an issue whether wet or dry. I tried changing batteries in key FOB as well. Due to the numerous recalls for the F250-450 in the US, F150 recall in Canada, & now the F150 recall for 2021 models all having the exact same issue, I had a 9:00AM service appt at a SE Michigan dealership this morning and was told it didn't fit the recall/hasn't been formally recalled. Fortunately I did not lose anything put of the back when it happened but it's an obvious safety issue. Seems ridiculous that the 2018 F150s (& other yrs aligning with 250 recalls/F150s in Canada) haven't been recalled as well. All share same latch.

Filed Oct 26, 2019 · Electrical, Seats · LA

The transmission will twist the driveshaft at startup, stationary, and cause the rear end to pop very loudly. I've shown ford engineering a video of it, I was told that it was normal. I've never heard of a vehicle doing this before. There is a rattling sound on deceleration, loudest when the engine is cold and lessons or maybe even goes away after warmed up. The engine was replaced earlier this year because of an oil consumption issue. The truck has memory power driver's seat and power mirrors that should go into place depending on the key fob that it detects. Randomly both side mirrors will start moving and popping before going back into position. This always occurs before the vehicle is started. I've noticed that it is usually when it detects the key fob or when I use the fob for some function. The seat randomly doesn't go into the memory position at startup.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Body · 9,912 miles · MO

Tailgate opened while driving on city street, notwithstanding that the gate was securely closed; had not been opened in weeks; and neither the tailgate release on key fob, nor the release button on the gate had been activated

Filed Jun 17, 2019 · Body · 8,300 miles · TX

The tailgate on my 2018 ford f-150 has the automatic open option from the key fob. I first experienced the tailgate had opened on its own when I went outside to go to work and found tailgate was open. I didn't think to much about it at the time. Then while I was pulling a trailer I went over a speed bump and heard a what sounded like something had fallen over inside trailer. Stopped to investigate and found tailgate had opened and fell on the trailer jack handle on the hitch. This broke the tailgate handle housing the button for opening tailgate, the light and backup camera. I had no idea how this could've happen. No way could the key fob could have activated the auto release as it was on the consul when this happened. I looked on the internet for any possible causes and found many others have had the same problem.

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · Body · TX

Tl* the contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2018 ford f-150. The consumer stated that the tailgate opened twice while the vehicle was in motion. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the consumer to the federal safety agency. The contact worked for autonation ford katy (20777 katy fwy, katy, tx 77450, (281) 305-8949) and stated that the tailgate could be opened while the vehicle was in motion, especially with the key fobs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Electrical · 26,000 miles · MI

Tailgate randomly opens while driving and or after driving when parked. Will also happen again repeatedly after closing. While tailgate is open after falling in open position you can hear relay clicking noises in passenger side dashboard area. Sounds like relays are constantly triggering to open tailgate. Initially thought key fob was triggering problem, but isolated keyfob and determined keyfob is not the issue. Am concerned that items in back of bed area are going to fall out when truck is moving and cause accident or worse. Sometimes do not hear that the tailgate opened when driving. My vehicle has factory installed bed cover and cannot see if tailgate is down from inside of vehicle

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · 3,000 miles · TX

The key fob for our new f150 has broken already. It was only 2 months old and the metal part that holds the key ring came off. This shouldn't have happened after only 2 months. The service department says it is normal wear and tear and will not repair or replace. If the fob falls off the key ring because it was not glues on properly, you can lose your key. Worse, someone could find it, press the lock or panic button to find your car and then steal your car. I think it is a safety issue and compromises the security of the car. It also leaves you without a key if it falls off. If you do manage to see it happen, then you are stuck with a broken fob after owning your new car for only 2 months. One other note on the wear and tear. It was sold new but had about 2000 miles already on it. So, the wear and tear could have occurred while the dealer had possession.

Filed Jan 12, 2019 · Electrical · 7,120 miles · NY

In freezing weather, the electric door locks freeze up, not allowing the doors to unlock with the key fob or the controls on the doors. I was able to gain access to the inside buy using the hidden key in the fob.