Ford F-250 SD key fob problems

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · NY

Door lock actuators on multiple Super Duty’s from similar years are going bad. From the key fob or inside lock button doors will not lock or unlock. Ford is aware of the issue and doing nothing. This is 100% a safety related issue as you think your doors are locking upon taking off driving with your kids in the back seat and they are not. As well as if there were an accident and emergency exit was needed you cannot unlock your vehicle to recover a child. Not to mention the possibility of theft thinking your doors are locking when leaving the vehicle and they’re actually not. I’ve spent over $1000 dollars to have both passenger door lock actuators replaced. Labor alone is $500 as it’s a pretty intricate job. Ford should absolutely be covering this in an active recall.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Electrical · ME

The door lock actuator has failed on the front driver side door. It does not work with the key fob or the door lock switch.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Locks · 50,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while using the key fob to unlock the doors, the alarm activated. The contact stated that the front driver's side failed to lock as intended. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to costs. The contact related the failure to TBS: 21-2207. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2024 · ME

Passenger Door latch not functioning properly resulting in the door opening while driving. It only latches closed if the door is being manually held and the key fob lock button is pressed. If the unlock button is inadvertently pushed the door will open while driving

Filed Oct 17, 2024 · Locks · 90,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the tailgate would unexpectedly open without warning, causing material to fall out of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the tailgate would fail to open when pressing the button on the key fob or when attempting to manually open the tailgate. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V864000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) which was linked to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

there hasn't been an incident per say and these might not be a safety concern. however i would like to list my grievances here just so there's documentation. my radio has some type of glitch where the phone calls get static like its digital, also the mirrors don't fold in all the time when locked with the key fob, the brakes have squeaked since day 1 and the grab handle in the tailgate just slides right out when the steps are pulled out. again i don't think this really qualifies for dangerous

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Body, Electrical · 51,997 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while using the remote key fob to unlock the doors, the doors failed to unlock. The contact had to manually unlock the doors. The contact then stated that the electrical system started malfunctioning and the A/C unit, the radio, and the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) light failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician noticed that the rear passenger’s side taillight was filled with 3-inches of water. Additionally, the bliss module was corroded due to the water intrusion. The contact was informed that the tail lamp seal and the taillight assembly needed to be replaced. The water was drained; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 51,997.

Filed May 8, 2022 · Body, Electrical · TX

Tailgate will open by itself going down the road and sometimes when parked. Key fob is in console not my pocket so I know the button is not being pressed accidentally. Some mornings when I leave for work it will be down. Seems to do it more often when I start truck, release parking brake and shift into reverse. If I’m pulling my trailer and it does this it’s going to damage tailgate also safety concern loosing cargo while going down road. I have checked the key fob and it takes two consecutive presses to open tailgate. That seems to work fine.

Filed Apr 5, 2022 · Electrical · IL

The power open tailgate will randomly open without any initiation from the operator either from the key fob, dash mounted release button or tailgate release handle. This occurred several times including while the vehicle was parked, while backing out of the driveway and while going down a side street at low speeds. During these uninitiated tailgate openings, a clicking noise can be heard from the passenger's side footwell presumably coming from the relay. Damage did occur to the tailgate during one occasion when it opened by itself and struck a wall. This can potentially be a significant safety issue if the tailgate unintentionally opens while driving on the road either by striking a vehicle behind it or causing the payload to fall from the bed of the vehicle.

Filed Jan 4, 2022 · Locks · 12,500 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-250. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electronic tailgate opened without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the key fob button might have been opening the tailgate. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed not to drive with the key fob in his pocket. The approximate failure mileage was 12,500. After last servicing done by Apple Ford I received a phone call from their customer service on a bad review I gave with the safety issue with the tailgate open while driving. What Apple Ford found out from their regional Manager was that the tailgate can be opened with the key fob while the truck is moving from 0 mph to 3.1 mph. I tested this and my finding were as follows: (1st test) Sat in truck while it running, and in Park. Pressed tailgate open on Key fob and tailgate would not open. (Test 2) While sitting in truck with it running and foot on brake pedal, I put truck in Drive and pressed tailgate open on Key Fob and tailgate opened. (Test 3) While in track and it's running, I put into Drive and start to move forward (between 1 and 2 mph). As the truck started roll, I pushed the Tailgate open button on the Key Fob and the tailgate opened. (Test 4) Same as Test 3, but I waited till truck was moving about 15 mph before I pressed the Tailgate open button on the Key Fob, and the Tailgate did not open. NOTE: There is notification lights or sounds on the instrumental panel that indicated that the tailgate is unlocked or open. Where the Safety issue is when towing trailer or even caring something tin the truck bed and when you come to a stop (with Key Fob in pocket) there is the risk of coming to a stop (light) and somehow the Open