I had the same problem last fall. 2017 F350 TD. Low miles. Did not do the recall, but the tailgate button stopped working. Inside switch and fob worked fine but a complete PIA when you can’t open the tailgate at the tailgate.

took to the dealer -$400 later - they said it was a ‘short on a green wire behind the radiator reservoir’. It was working once again. Last week, stopped working.

I’ll look under the hood for the last repair and renew it. Failing that I’ll go complain to the dealer and see if they’ll look at it for free. I looked at new trucks but all electronic.

I came here searching for a hack to put in another tailgate or mechanical door switch. I’m guessing that ain’t happening.

it is completely unbelievable the tailgate doesn’t work! What the hell good is a truck without it! So much **** on this truck doesn’t work, it’s a joke! The radio AM never worked, FM quit in the last two weeks (just static). Sirius comes and goes now. Sunroof I can’t risk opening anymore, last two times it jammed open and just by chance and banging on it I got it closed. Auto running boards work when they want to and are addicted to PB Blaster. I hear of other truck makes not being much better, but this is ridiculous. I looked at a GM WT level truck but can’t tow anything.

Why can’t they just stick with stuff that works?

 

2017 F250 6.7L - I have the same issue with the tailgate button not working. Stopped working after truck endured extreme rain event. Have opened the tailgate panel and validated the harness wiring from the button switch to the harness connectors to the left of the spare (looking forward). The tailgate recall was done over a year ago. Checked and cleaned all connectors next to spare. At a loss of of what the cause could be. Dash button and key fob still work. Thinking it has something to do with the interlock that disables the tailgate button while the vehicle is in gear / moving. Thoughts?

 

I’m going to guess it was a poor repair bump the dealer and their fix up front went bad. When I got a minute I’m going to crawl under there and look.

 

Mine worked fine until Ford did the tailgate mystery opening recall. Now it works about 50% of time. It sounds like the solenoid operating the opener is weak. Don't know if it was related to the recall or coincidence. Of coarse dealer blamed it on everything but the recall and wanted to charge me to run it down.

 

This electric tailgate is possibly the stupidest idea anyone could have. Especially on that malfunctions and then there is no other way of opening it. Ford should send out a manual opener kit free of charge to all interested parties. Unbelievable.

 

As long as you don't have the bed locked up on top you can manually open the tailgate. I won't go into how but it is not rocket science.

 

Same problem as others. Rear electric tailgate button won't work. Replaced it still not working FOB and CAB mounted button work fine.
Where can I find a wiring diagram for this truck. Want to trace wires to see if there is a broken wire in the loom, or a bad relay/sensor wome lace.

 

I had the same issue on my 2020 last fall. Had a look at the connectors in front of the rear bumper and noticed there was a 2 pin connector that was broken. I think it was the lowest one on the drivers side. Replaced it and that fixed the issue.