Recall 21V983 affects 57,591 2018 Ford F-150 trucks for tailgate latches that can open while driving. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 57,591 2018 F-150 trucks with manual and power release tailgates because the latches can open while driving. That lets unrestrained cargo fall from the truck bed and become a road hazard, increasing crash risk; Ford dealers will repair the tailgate latches free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The tailgate latch on the 2018 Ford F-150 is the lock mechanism that holds the tailgate closed while the truck is parked or moving. On trucks with manual or power release tailgates, the latch pawl catches against a mating catch so the tailgate stays shut until the release is used. That small mechanical hold matters when cargo is in the bed.
On affected trucks, the latch pawl sits perpendicular to the catch mechanism. Under certain road loads and tailgate movement, that design is susceptible to pawl walkout, which means the pawl moves out of its locked position and the tailgate unlatches. Ford identified the issue on trucks built with the suspect latch design at the Dearborn Truck Plant, and the recall repair replaces those latches with a different pawl design.
The warning sign is the tailgate opening before you get in the truck. If the latch releases while driving, the tailgate can open unexpectedly.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Ford F-150 | Latch |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 57,591 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected tailgate opening can let loose cargo fall from the truck bed and become a road hazard. This raises crash risk. If the tailgate is open before you enter the truck, secure it before moving the vehicle. Keep cargo restrained and schedule the latch replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free tailgate-latch replacement that fixes the unexpected tailgate opening.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V983 when you call.
- Secure cargo in the truck bed and avoid carrying loose items until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 21V983. Ford also provided its standard reimbursement plan for owners who paid for this repair before the recall notice. Reimbursement eligibility ended February 21, 2022, so bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk and ask Ford customer service how the plan applies to your claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 16, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 17, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| December 17, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 31, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 31, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V983?
Recall 21V983 covers 57,591 2018 Ford F-150 trucks with manual and power release tailgates. The tailgate latches can unlatch unexpectedly while driving, letting cargo fall from the bed and become a road hazard. Ford dealers will replace both tailgate latches for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 21V983. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule replacement of the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches. Reference recall 21V983 or Ford recall number 21S53 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy says dealers will replace the left-hand and right-hand tailgate latches free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is loose cargo falling out of the truck bed while the F-150 is moving. Under recall 21V983, an unexpected tailgate opening can let unrestrained cargo become a road hazard, increasing crash risk for your truck and nearby traffic.
What if I bought my Ford F-150 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2018 Ford F-150 is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall 21V983 or Ford recall number 21S53.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V983000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V983 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V983000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →