NHTSA Complaint #11502257 — 2016 FORD F-150

Over a year ago Ford announced a recall because of unintended back tailgate release. At that time there was no solution. In December 2022 Ford announced a solution, and requested owners to schedule an appointment for a fix that would take no longer than 1/2 day. The tail gate has indeed opened unintended 4 times, including once on CO Hwy 285; presenting a serious hazard as I lost half the load on a winding mountain road. When I attempted to schedule an appointment at Auto Nation Ford to fix, they could not get me scheduled until March 14, 2023, that the repair would take at least one week because of 158 steps involved. I was also told that Ford would not cover the cost of a rental vehicle while the F-150 is in for repair. I sent a letter to Ford (available on request) over a month ago, but I have received no response. This is a major safety issue. I have also had damage to the tailgate caused by unintended release in the garage. Gone unnoticed until I opened the garage door. By unknowingly opening the garage door I have scraped the tailgate. Ford is clueless. Their dealers have no campaign code as they call it. When they research the campaign number given in the recall notice, they don’t want to have anything to do with it. I’ve asked Ford to find a dealer that will fix the vehicle during the prescribed timeframe to no avail. I have asked Ford for relief by finding a Dealer to fix under recall warranty and to pay for vehicle rental during the elongated repair period.