Several owners of the 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks have reported that the powered tailgates on their truck fold down by itself. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation as it may pose a safety issue and/or damage the tailgate or the trailer behind the truck.
2017 Ford Super Duty
The Super Duty was all-new for 2017 and higher-optioned trucks are equipped with a powered tailgate that can be released and fold down with a push of a button on the dash or via the key fob. This is a handy feature as it allows the truck owner easier access to the bed for loading or lower the tailgate before hooking up a gooseneck trailer without getting out of the driver’s seat.
Several owners have reported the tailgate lowering “by itself”. It can cause a safety issue as cargo may become dislodged, or the tailgate may hit the trailer jack or the trailer itself when towing.
Ford recently released a service bulletin, titled “Intermittent Electrical Concerns, Rear Parking Aid Camera Inop And/Or Uncommanded Tailgate Opening” includes the following service and inspection procedures:
2017 F-Super Duty 6.2-liter: “Inspect connectors and replace the wire harness and include the time to remove/install the fuel tank, evaporative emission canister and replace one of the female side connectors.”
2017 F-Super Duty 6.7-liter: “Inspect connectors and replace the wire harnesses and include the time to remove/install the fuel and reductant tanks and to replace one of the female side connectors.”
The issue seems to be with an electrical connection that affects the operation of the tailgate release and the rear camera.
There is no official recall for this issue, but Super Duty models manufactured before June 7, 2017 may be affected.
We have tested several 2017 Super Duty trucks with the powered tailgate, but we have never experienced this problem.
We use a removable trailer jack so that it does not get in the way. It decreases the potential for tailgate or trailer damage.
Watch the 2017 Ford F250 pull around 12,500 lbs up and down the Ike Gauntlet™ – world’s toughest towing test.
