Ford Issues Recalls Over Faulty Tailgates, Daytime Lights, and Fuel Line Sleeves

Ford announced another batch of recalls for its F-Series Super Duty trucks for defective tailgates and daytime running lights.

A total of 231,664 F-Series Super Duty (F-250, F-350, and F-450) trucks in the United States, whose tailgates are inadvertently opening, plus 29,953 more in Canada, are affected. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reportedly opened an investigation into the problem.

According to the automaker, the electrical wiring system could be compromised when water seeps in. This wiring system operates the electric tailgate latch-release inside the tailgate handle. If water gets in, it could cause a short circuit in the system, causing the tailgate to open anytime, whether the vehicle is parked or moving.

Tailgates that open unintentionally can cause cargo to spill out from the truck, thus increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Ford advises owners of the affected Super Duty trucks to bring their vehicles to a dealer where modifications will be made to the tailgate wiring harnesses. A technician will also install a release switch at no charge to customers.

In addition to the recall of the Super Duty models, the Blue Oval is also issuing a separate recall for the 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. The problem with the SUVs involves a protective fuel line sleeve that may too short. The company said the problem only affects models equipped with the twin-turbo 2.0-liter V6.

If an SUV’s fuel sleeve is not long enough, there is a possibility for the fuel line to make hard contact with the convolute-protected vapor fuel line. If the plastic fuel line wears down, constant vibrations could create a gasoline leak, which increases the risk of a fire. Ford, however, clarified it is not aware of any injuries or fires related to the issue.

About 3,858 Explorers and Aviators are affected in the recall. Owners are advised to take their SUVs to a dealer where the sleeve length will be checked replaced with one in the correct length as well as a securing tie strap for free.

Also getting recalled are 86,296 units of the F-Series Super Duty due to glitchy daytime running lights.

According to documents filed with the NHTSA in November, some Super Duty trucks from the 2018 and 2019 model years may be equipped with unresponsive daytime running lights when the driver switches on the headlights. There is a possibility that the daytime running lights will not dim, potentially causing impairment of the driver’s vision and increase the risk of a crash.

Owners of F-Series Super Duty models with defective daytime running lights are advised to take their vehicles to a dealer where a technician will work on reprogramming the body control module at no cost to the owners. Ford said that the problem may have been caused by the incorrect calibration of the software at the time of production.