2018 Hands Free Liftgate not working
- Thread starter 719c6
- Start date
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Not missing much. It works about 40% of the time I try to use it. I have an '18 Max as well.
You can try disabling and enabling it in dash options. If that doesn't work, have you checked your battery? Random things stop working once your battery doesn't hold a high enough charge.
You can try disabling and enabling it in dash options. If that doesn't work, have you checked your battery? Random things stop working once your battery doesn't hold a high enough charge.
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Take a look and see if the previous owner unplugged the sensor. Many of us have done this because it's more of a pain than it's worth, especially if you do things with the hitch like bicycle carriers. I have a nice dent in my hatch thanks to something that fell and rolled under the truck while I had stuff on the hitch.
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
This forum. Post number 22 has pictures.
Hands-Free Liftgate Madness
2018 Limited with hands-free (foot-activated) tailgate...Never opens/closes when I try; Often opens/closes when I don't (like when hooking up or unhooking a trailer); Several times has opened when I'm simply walking by 3 feet away (feet nowhere near the bottom of car). Anyone else experiencing...
www.expeditionforum.com
How do you know it isn't working? Are you kicking under the bumper correctly? It's a crappy system. I probably look like an idiot trying to get it to open. Probably less than 50% rate as to whether it works or not.
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
This, it's easier to activate it accidentally when you don't want to than when your arms are full of stuff and you need it to work. Make sure you are kicking in the right place.
jwas1
Member
I have '18 XLT. Worked for a few months. Then lift gate started opening by itself. Caught me on the forehead. Dealer tried everything without success. Disabled kick to lift.
GixxerJasen
Full Access Members
Ford Expedition Shop/Service Manual
Here is a complete shop/service manual for whoever wants it. The link will be good for 7 days. I purchased this from eBay and it’s great! I’m willing to share. Merry Christmas! Agree and download https://we.tl/t-2c7whBMjqY
www.expeditionforum.com
I had an '18 and now a '21. Accidental activations aside, I could barely get the '18 to work when I wanted it to. I feel like I had to start more towards the driver side than center and kick at some weird angle for the times I did get it to work. The '21 works pretty flawlessly with a simple short kick starting at the center.
Also, if memory serves, there was some kind of TSB for the hands-free liftgate on the '18. It helped some w/ the accidental activations, but still wasn't great.
Johnb21
Well-Known Member
I know this may sound silly, but do you have your key fob in your pocket when you try to kick under the tailgate on the driver's side 2x?
I chased the tailgate not working when activated with my foot for many, many months. Dealer chased it too, but it worked for them....until they asked the question about the key fob. I have never had an issue since. Also, one other poster did mention battery voltage. I am currently having issues with door sensors and start-stop due to my battery not charging to the ideal voltage.
I chased the tailgate not working when activated with my foot for many, many months. Dealer chased it too, but it worked for them....until they asked the question about the key fob. I have never had an issue since. Also, one other poster did mention battery voltage. I am currently having issues with door sensors and start-stop due to my battery not charging to the ideal voltage.
wakeboarder
Full Access Members
There was a video somebody posted on how to get it to work 90%+ of the time. I think it was from a dealership in Salina Kansas. Basically start one to two steps back. Walk forward, kick under the bumper then back up those two steps.
Book2
Member
Hi I have '18 Limited since new and enjoying the car very much! It took me about 1 year to master the correct way to do it, thanks to one comment I received from someone at YouTube - I commented about the difficulty of foot operation and he gave me an advice - it really works! Now I think I can make the rear gate open by my foot at more than 95% success rate. Here is how - about half way between left side and license plate, kick in and out quickly - literally I am gently kicking the spare tire like a soccer ball, and my toe hits the tire. Sometimes it takes me 2 or 3 kicks but usually I can open / close the gate by one kick. When it works good, it's kinda fun, and I am using the hands-free operation very often. I hope you can make it work, too!
