Ford Power Tailgate Recall Failed, Alleges Class Action Lawsuit


Ford class action lawsuit alleges super-duty trucks have hatchbacks that suddenly open while driving.

July 5, 2021 – A Ford class action lawsuit claims that a recall of a Super Duty Truck Power hatchback failed to repair the hatchbacks, which can suddenly open while driving, causing everything in the trucks’ beds to be lost.

Ford’s electric hatchback lawsuit includes 2017-2021 Ford F-250, F-350 and Ford F-450 Super Duty Trucks equipped with electronic hatchback release switches.

In December 2019, a Ford electric tailgate recall was ordered for more than 231,000 Ford F-250, F-350, and F-450 Super Duty Trucks from 2017-2019 model years. Ford said the electric hatchbacks could open suddenly while driving.

“Water that penetrates the electrical system can cause a short circuit, which leads to the switch being activated unintentionally and the tailgate locks being released. This can lead to the tailgate opening unintentionally when the vehicle is not moving or is not moving.” – Ford

Ford also said that “upon inspection of the offending vehicle parts, evidence of water was found in various electrical components, including harness connectors, grommets, splices or the tailgate switch.”

Ford dealers have been directed to add jumper pigtails to isolate the tailgate release control circuits and install new handle release switches.

Ford’s electric liftgate recall followed a 2018 federal investigation into Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty liftgates that opened accidentally.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) completed its tailgate investigation in January 2020 due to Ford’s electric tailgate recall.

However, the NHTSA announced in January 2021 that Super Duty truck owners continued to report their suddenly opened hatchbacks, despite the trucks allegedly being repaired during the Ford hatchback recall.

The “recall query” remains open and includes around 300,000 Ford F-250, F-350 and F-450 Super Duty Trucks with electric tailgates from model years 2017-2020.

Ford owners claim tailgate recall is useless

According to the class action lawsuit, it is evident that the Ford hatchback recall was unsuccessful and the recall does not even include all of the affected super-duty trucks. The lawsuit alleges Ford ignored 2020-2021 model year super-duty trucks, despite owners complaining that the electric hatchbacks open while driving.

The electric tailgate may only open if a customer actuates the tailgate release switch, which can be activated by pressing a button on the key fob, in the truck’s cab via the emergency brake release switch or on the tailgate itself.

The two plaintiffs who filed the class action claim that in addition to water issues, there are also wiring errors or the tailgate latch is not strong enough to prevent accidental opening of the tailgate.

One of the plaintiffs also alleges that Ford did not inform them that their truck had been recalled. Additionally, the automaker has failed to reimburse Super Duty owners for tailgate repairs, which allegedly can cost thousands of dollars.

The Ford class action lawsuit for electric hatchbacks was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan: Cunningham et al., Vs. Ford Motor Company.

The plaintiffs are represented by Miller Law Firm PC, Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, PC and DiCello Levitt Gutzler LLC.

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