Tailgate hinge in upper left-hand corner is breaking away from body of the vehicle. Tailgate makes loud POP/CRACK noise when opening or closing now, also does not fit correctly, and must hold top left corner of tailgate firmly when closing to insure tailgate closes well enough to turn off "door ajar" light. It is getting worse with each opening, I now try not to open the tailgate unless I have to, and instead I open only the window part when practical.
This sure seems like a defect that should be fixed by Ford to me; something structural like that just should not break within 8 years.
I have been advised to take it to a body shop to see about having the mounting plate for the hinge (inside the body) re-welded.
Tailgate hinge in upper left-hand corner is breaking away from body of the vehicle. Tailgate makes loud POP/CRACK noise when opening or closing now, also does not fit correctly, and must hold top left corner of tailgate firmly when closing to insure tailgate closes well enough to turn off "door ajar" light. It is getting worse with each opening, I now try not to open the tailgate unless I have to, and instead I open only the window part when practical.
This sure seems like a defect that should be fixed by Ford to me; something structural like that just should not break within 8 years.
I have been advised to take it to a body shop to see about having the mounting plate for the hinge (inside the body) re-welded.
- Bob R., Burke, VA, US