Hello,
just traded in my 2015 F250 for a 2019 F250 and the tailgate step was working fine,, i had to order a new back up camera the next day because there was moisture under the lense cover, It was not like that when I checked it at the dealership. I'm guessing when they washed it up for delivery the moisture got in as by the time I got home it was really foggy and barely usable. Anyways, I got the camera in and went to put it in, but of course, the step gate will not deploy (its required in order to install the back-up camera. It will not release ,no matter how I push the button, I have been combing the forums and all I can find is people complaining about it not popping out far enough, but not one saying it will not unlock. Has anyone had this issue and if so, were you able to fix it on your own, or was it somthing that you had to take it in for? Thanks for any help.
gene

 

The one on my 19 F150 worked smoothly, the one on my 20 F350 was a pain. I would have to push the release in and use it as a grab point to wiggle and pull it out. Was going to have dealership look at it, but didn't want to deal with the hassle. After some Google searching and looking how it is installed, I decided to see what I could do. Loosened the bolts that hold it in place and it dropped down just a hair. Tightened them back up and it works as it should now.

If it won't release at all, I would be inclined to make Ford fix it.

Erik

 

The step on my 2017 stopped popping out when I hit the release button and Ford replaced the step. The new one works, but it's not popping out very far. Just far enough that I can grab it. Keep the inside of the tailgate clean and the slides lubricated.

 

I had the same issue on my 17. I could use a screw driver to pry on the step to get it out but could never find the point of friction that wouldn't let it come out. Turns out it's a weak spring (according the the Ford tech) but they replaced the whole unit. As HRTKD said, keep it clean and lubed (I used silicon grease) but I'd have Ford replace it first.

 

Mine was refusing to deploy. I brought it to the dealership. They adjusted it. It seems that it was binding on the lower plastic frame and hanging up.

 

Yeah its locked in and will not unlock, I'm trying to see if I can slip somthing in between the top to trip the locking arm but so far no luck. I'm going to have to make time to slip by the dealership I suppose. The crazy thing is, I got my replacement camera and then only then the tailgate decided to lock up. Talk about bad luck🙄

 

I got it to open after some WD40 and some yanking, it finally popped open, so while there I pulled out the back up camera and installed the new $400 Ford part 🤑 soon as I went to put away the step it of course is stuck shut once more 😝 oh well at least I can see the back side when I'm backing up better now. I will have to go to the dealership and have them fix it as it still have warranty.
thanks all for the help and comments.
Happy 🐣 Easter

 

Can anyone post a picture of the locking mechanism inside the tailgate? My push button doesn't work and it seems theres no latch inside the tailgate for it to lock to..

 

This is the catch in the tailgate. With the tailgate down and step pulled out some, its easily seen.

 

Thanks I'm going to go check in a min and see if I have that.

 

I think I'm missing a piece

 

Oh wow, it is missing that piece.

 

People have posted the static portion of the latch -- I'm posting the active (problem) portion, looking skyward from under the step surface.

I found the problem on my step assembly and got it open.

I was pushing and pushing that center button and prying on all the slide edges. Then I tried probing the underside of the slide under the button with a thin strip of spring steel, and managed to break the slide free.

The active portion of the latch is a hook with a spring that slides ALONG it (pivot end to tip) as you push the button. If it doesn't slide, the button doesn't go in all the way, and the latch doesn't open. Hay had gotten down into mine and dried the assembly out so that the spring wasn't sliding, and as a result the button wasn't going in all the way and the latch wasn't opening. I managed to goose the spring with all my probing. Once it was open, I cleaned the muck off the hook and spring and gave it a good lubing, and now it works great.

In the photo, I have the button partially depressed and the spring is about halfway to the tip end. The hook is located under the button, just on the driver side of center, and opens to that side. Behind and to the left of the hook, you can see the hollow rear of the plastic button, so you know where to tube the lube through if it's jammed.



My advice would be, if your button is going in only about 3/4", it's not activating -- it has to go in about twice that much. Shoot some lube through the crack on the bottom (assuming an open tailgate) side of the button and keep pushing until it gives.