Tailgate opens unexpectedly while driving. This has happened several times.
2018 Ford F-350 body problems
moderate 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 21 body complaints filed for the 2018 Ford F-350, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Ford F-350 in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint is the power tailgate dropping open without operator input. It happens at speeds from 15 to 60 mph, during highway driving, turns, highway merges, and while towing. Owners report the tailgate opens standing still, too. No in-cab warning tells them it's open—they learn about it when cargo spills into traffic or a motorist flags them down.
Twenty of the 21 complaints center on this tailgate failure. Early incidents occurred below 6,000 miles. Multiple owners had the official NHTSA recall repair (Campaign 18E021000) completed, then the tailgate kept opening—some for the first time post-repair, others continuing from before. Dealers consistently report inability to replicate or diagnose the issue; one case states Ford stopped trying.
Three owners had tailgate damage severe enough to puncture fifth-wheel campers and horse trailers. One owner removed the tailgate entirely to prevent further property damage. Another lost a generator and cable on an interstate, shutting down traffic lanes.
One complaint involves the rear bumper bracket snapping and detaching at 30 mph while driving, despite being covered by the same recall campaign.
A separate defect involves driver-side and other doors failing to close or latch in below-freezing temperatures. Moisture in the latch freezes, causing doors to swing open during driving. The factory service repair (18N03) has proven ineffective over years of attempts.
Same Ford F-350 body reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Tailgate opening unexpectedly while in motion
Power tailgate latch mechanism fails, causing the tailgate to drop open without operator input while the vehicle is being driven at various speeds (15–60 mph) or stationary. No warning indicator alerts the driver. Occurs during normal driving, highway travel, turning, and while towing. Multiple owners report the issue persists even after the NHTSA recall repair.
When: Mileage ranges from 3,700 to 115,000+ miles; onset as early as first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Tailgate drops open without button press or remote activation; No in-cab warning or indicator light when tailgate opens; Occurs unpredictably during motion and while stationary; Happens more frequently when towing trailers (fifth wheel, horse trailer, pintle hitch); Can be triggered by bumps, turns, or no apparent trigger at all; Continues after official recall repair work
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealers unable to diagnose or replicate the problem. Recall repair (NHTSA Campaign 18E021000) performed on multiple vehicles but failure persists post-repair. One owner had circuit breaker reset temporarily resolve tailgate unresponsiveness. Dealership responses range from 'no active TSB' to giving up diagnosis efforts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18E021000 (Structure) – tailgate recall issued and completed on multiple vehicles reported here, yet failures continue. Manufacturer instructed some owners to contact distributor website (readingbody.com/warrantyinfo) instead of dealer, leading to communication breakdown. Ford stated it has stopped attempting to diagnose the problem in at least one case.
Bumper bracket failure and detachment
Rear bumper bracket snaps and detaches from the vehicle body while driving at low speed, creating a roadside safety hazard.
When: 24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Bumper bracket snapped and detached from vehicle; Occurred while driving at approximately 30 mph
Repairs/costs cited: None completed. Owner was told to contact dealer instead of web distributor; vehicle was not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under NHTSA Campaign 18E021000 (Structure). Manufacturer stated contact should have gone through dealer, not the website distributor, and was not called back to arrange repair.
Door latch failure in cold weather
Driver-side and other doors fail to close, latch, or remain latched in below-freezing conditions. Moisture inside the latch mechanism freezes, preventing secure closure. Doors can swing open unexpectedly while driving, with no reliable visual indication the latch is engaged. Owner trapped inside vehicle with only window exit.
When: Occurs below freezing temperature conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Doors will not close or latch in cold weather; Doors open while vehicle is stationary or during turns; Driver-side door whipped open while making a turn at driving speed; No way to verify latch engagement while in motion; Risk of being trapped inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Ford assigned this a service designation: '18N03 Customer Service Advisor repair.' Owner reports the repair has been ineffective and the issue recurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford has issued a service repair (18N03 Customer Service Advisor) but owner reports this is an ongoing multi-year problem with Ford vehicles and repairs have been repeatedly ineffective.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2018 Ford F-350?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 21 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 7,000 and 36,000 miles, with the median around 24,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,000; a quarter make it past 36,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Ford/F-350.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.