Ford Recall Almost 90,000 Vehicles in Canada Due to a Tailgate Latch Defect

Date of recall: January 27, 2020

Vehicles affected

This recall is specific to the 2015-2018 F-150 pickup truck, of which 89,472 are affected in Canada. Interestingly, the recall has not extended to the same vehicles in the United States as of yet. 

Affected vehicles were manufactured at two particular plants. Some were built at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan from July 28, 2014, to Oct. 22, 2018, while others came from the Kansas City Assembly Plant from Feb. 19, 2015, to Nov. 4, 2018.

Trucks built with manual tailgate latches are unaffected, and therefore, not part of this recall.

What’s the problem?

The affected trucks have the same issue that affected Ford’s Super Duty trucks recalled in December 2019. If water seeped into the wiring for the electric tailgate latch-release switch on the tailgate handle, it could short circuit and cause the switch to release the tailgate latch. If that happened, cargo could slide out potentially leading to collision or injury.

Ford hasn’t reported any accidents or injuries related to the defect. 

What’s the fix?

 Dealers will fix the issue in the same way they did with Super Duty trucks. They will use jumper pigtails to modify the tailgate frame wiring harnesses and then install a new tailgate handle release switch.

What do you do?

Ford will notify affected owners by mail with instructions on taking their vehicle to a dealer for repair. 

Enter your VIN at this link to learn more about this recall and find out if there are other Service Actions related to your vehicle. 

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