2017 Ford F-350 SD: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jul 23, 2024 · WA

The truck is equipped with an electronic tail gate release. I was pulling a 40’ 5th wheel leaving an RV park when the tailgate lowered causing significant damage to the tailgate and the trailer. I verified the tailgate was up and pulled on it to ensure it was secure once I connected to the trailer. The key fob was on my pocket..

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · FL

The tailgate came down on its own while I was towing a fifth-wheel trailer. When I turned to come onto a road, the tailgate came in contact with the trailer. This both put the safety of myself and passengers/public at risk and also damaged the front compartment of the trailer. The vehicles keyfob was not in my pocket so I do not think that the tailgate could have been opened from it. I took the vehicle to Ford and they said that my truck does not meet all of the requirements of the 19S48 tailgate recall on 2017-2019 Superduty trucks. There was no warning light or any other visual indication that I was driving with the tailgate down. I'm concerned as I do not want this to happen again to my vehicle or others.

Filed Aug 12, 2020 · Body · 48,500 miles · WA

Occasionally, the tailgate will automatically fall, when I put the transmission in reverse, from a stationary position. I verified that this can happen when the key fob is not in my pocket. Thankfully, it hasn't happened while driving. The truck has less than 50k miles on it. It started, for me, soon after I purchased it used, in june 2020.

Filed Oct 17, 2019 · Locks · 25,000 miles · WA

Tailgate opens on its own unexpectedly. It seems like it happens when putting it in gear. Never had it happen at much speed. It happens at least once every week or two. Seems to happen a lot while backing up. It also happens just sitting there. Have it happen with key fob just sitting in the console and nobody touching it.

Filed Oct 18, 2018 · Body · 65,000 miles · CA

Tailgate opens unexpectedly. I bought my 2017 f350 lariat dually used in june 2017. 8 days after I bought the truck the tailgate opened while I was towing a gooseneck horse trailer. Luckily I was about 50 feet from my driveway. The tailgate was contacted by the trailer as I turned and has some damage from an aluminum foot stool falling out. It has happened 3 other times. Each time I thought I had possibly bumped the key fob in my pocket, as it has a tailgate release button. You do have to touch the button two times in succession for the tailgate to open. Each time it has happened I have started or moved the truck, unlocked and opened the drivers door and then got back in the truck. I believe there is some correlation but I have not been able to duplicate it. Each time the vehicle was under way, but I did not see it open as I have tinted windows. And I usually don't watch the tailgate in the mirrors.

Filed Jun 29, 2018 · Electrical · 5,200 miles · MD

The remote electric open rear tailgate has a serious design flaw. The problem is either due to faulty key fob, poor placement of the interior button that releases the tailgate or some other electrical issue. The problem is the tailgate will 'at random' open on its own. I've had this happen on many occasions, I'm very mindful to keep the key fob out of my pocket and not allow my palm to hit the button while releasing the parking brake (very poor location). I have had damage to my tailgate due to it opening while pulling a trailer, it resulted in the backup camera being damaged. Ford will not warranty this and seems to ignore the problem.