Campaign 21V-983

Tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while driving

Defect summary

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles with manual and power release tailgates. The tailgate latches may unlatch unexpectedly while driving.

Consequence

Unexpected tailgate opening may allow unrestrained cargo to fall out of the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches, free of charge. An interim notification letter was mailed January 31, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S53.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 21V983000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

One product line is covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about latches and locks on these vehicles: 57, of which 1 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 21V-983
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Ford	F-150	2018	57

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

No NHTSA investigation is linked to this recall

Most recalls are started by the manufacturer. This one lists "Manufacturer" as its origin.

Before the recall

3 service bulletins on this component came first

Distinct manufacturer communications on the same component group, make, model and model year in the 24 months before the report date.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications file.

Service bulletins

25V-397 Jun 13, 2025
Left-hand rear door may be able to be opened from inside the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position
25V-303 May 9, 2025
Left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position
24V-189 Mar 8, 2024
Left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position
23V-775 Nov 17, 2023
Component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving
23V-502 Jul 21, 2023
Front door latch pawl may crack and prevent the door from latching
22V-411 Jun 10, 2022
Passenger-side rear door may be opened from inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position