In my 2018 F350, I experienced my power tailgate opening on its own. It happened when the vehicle was unattended and while the vehicle was in motion. I brought it to the dealership for the recall repairs to be performed on March 2nd, 2022 at 115k miles. I received the truck back and in the time since the recall repair was performed, the tailgate has opened, on its own, while the vehicle was in motion 3 separate times. One time I was towing, which caused the tailgate to ride on the tongue jack controls, a second time was without a trailer attached, but I had lots of gear in the bed which, thankfully, did not fall out and create a traffic hazard. I am planning on having the dealer reassess the repairs when I next bring in the truck for an oil change, but I am concerned that this safety issue persists after the repairs were performed.
2018 Ford F-350 SD body problems
24 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 24,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 24,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Body23
- Body: tailgate1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford F-350 SD body problems in other years
Related recalls
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
- Risk
- A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power, or a loss of vehicle control if the driveshaft contacts the ground. Additionally, unintended movement could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Any of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S09.
Recall number 22V087000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Power Tailgate Release Systems
In January 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (MY) 2017-2019 F-250/350/450 Ford trucks. Besides the recall remedy launched in January 2020, Ford also implemented a production update in November 2019. At the time of the RQ opening, ODI had received eleven (11) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs). ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Ford in February 2021. In numerous meetings after receiving their IR response, Ford highlighted the drop in claims since the recall and production update and communicated how they were unable to verify the ownersâ complaints or replicate the concern. Despite this, Ford began developing ways to prevent uncommanded tailgate openings from various human, mechanical or electrical causes. Based on testing, Ford issued a Customer Satisfaction program, 21M05-S1/S2/S3, to further address the potential of unintended tailgate openings. This work was applied to vehicles being produced as of December 20, 2021. The program began for already delivered vehicles on July 22, 2022. The covered models include 2017-2022 F-250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 Super Duty and 2020-2022 F-600 Super Duty trucks. ODI has received 39 VOQs between February 24, 2020, and December 15, 2023, alleging uncommanded tailgate openings. In a detailed analysis, none of the vehicles in the VOQs were found to have received the Customer Satisfaction update. Since ODI has not received any complaints of post-Customer Satisfaction program tailgate openings, this office is closing this Recall Query. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
RQ21001
What 2018 Ford F-350 SD owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tailgate opened while driving on interstate, this has happened two times in the last 2 months. I have already had the recall repairs done for this issue but it is still happening. The Ford dealer can not find a cause. There is no way to know when the tailgate has opened until something falls out of the back of the truck and other driver alerts you of the issue.
The tailgate continues to open randomly while driving or backing up the truck. The recall for this was completed but the issue continues to occur. Most recently this caused $525 worth of damage to my 5th wheel camper and $450 worth of damage to my tailgate. This is very dangerous and should be addressed by Ford immediately.
Tailgate still randomly opens after ford issued recall to correct. Seems to occur primarily when truck is parked on hill with ebrake set. When releasing emergency brake on a hill, the release is quite violent in terms of the truck vibrating/shuddering. It appears the proximity of the remote open tailgate switch and the vibration with the ebrake handle release, may be activating the remote switch. Truck has already had the ford issued tailgate opening recall applied which has not corrected the issue.
Uncommanded tailgate opening. Tailgate fell down going about 30mph in downtown port townsend, wa. ..portable generator and cable fell in front of several cars..temporarily shutting down both lanes. The next day the tailgate would not respond until the circuit breaker was reset. This truck has had the recall completed.
I had the tailgate recall completed on my vehicle, shortly afterwards, I was still experiencing issues with the tailgate falling while driving. I returned the vehicle to ford again to report the issue. The ford dealer worked on the vehicle for 2-3 days and returned the vehicle to me again stating it had been fixed. The recall did not resolve the issue. The tailgate opens unexpectedly when the vehicle is in motion. I do not know if it happens on the freeway, city street or while turning.
Uncommanded tail gate opening..continues to open even after recall was completed.. The consumer stated when the tailgate would open personal belongings would fall out of the vehicle. Several dealerships were unable to determine the failure. After having the tailgate repaired under recall, the failure persisted.
Tailgate came open on its own yet again..towing a 5th wheel..was able to see it open in a sharp turn and stop..causing a traffic jam on highway 12. Several cars almost hit each other...this is after recall was completed .*dt*jb
Tailgate opened on its own...towing 5th wheel trailer...this is second time since tailgate recall was done.
Lose of construction material on highway ..due to uncomanded tailgate opening.. Tailgate comes open on its own...this is after recall was completed.
Questions about the 2018 Ford F-350 SD body
Does the 2018 Ford F-350 SD have body problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the body of the 2018 Ford F-350 SD, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2018 Ford F-350 SD body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 24,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford F-350 SD body?
Yes, 1 recall: 22V087000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford F-350 SD have the most body problems?
The Ford F-350 SD model years with the most body complaints are 2017 (45 complaints), 2018 (24 complaints) and 2019 (23 complaints).
Other 2018 Ford F-350 SD problems
Steering 102Suspension 78Wheels 25Driver assistance 13Electrical 12Fuel system 11Engine 9Transmission 5Tires 4Brakes 3Locks 3Visibility 2Acceleration 1Lights 1
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