Back in December of 2019, Ford issued a recall for select 2017-2019 Ford Super Duty trucks after it was discovered that select models had an issue where the tailgate could open unintentionally. To rectify the issue, Ford dealers modified the tailgate frame wiring harness by adding jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and installed a new tailgate handle release switch. However, this Super Duty tailgate recall fix may not be working as intended, which prompted an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Now, Ford Authority has learned that the automaker is changing the operation of the tailgate on the 2022 Ford Super Duty, presumably for safety reasons.
Owners of select 2022 Ford Super Duty models equipped with the remote tailgate release feature will now need to press the tailgate release button twice within three seconds, while the transmission is in the park, in order for the tailgate to release. This change applies to the key fob, the button located on the tailgate, and the instrument panel release button.
On Super Duty models affected by the recall – which includes 261,617 F-250, F-350, and F-450 models – and subsequent investigation, water entering the electrical wiring system can cause a short circuit resulting in the unintended switch activation and release of the tailgate latches. This could cause the unintended opening of the tailgate, either when the vehicle is not moving or is in motion.
Ford began incorporating an updated tailgate release switch and wiring harness jumper effective with the 2020 model year beginning on November 4th, 2019, but the NHTSA has received numerous complaints that the fix hasn’t rectified this issue, which also prompted the filing of a class-action lawsuit last year.
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