Tailgate won’t latch

[500LiterMin]

So, this might be an odd one. 2020 Max Limited and we live in the Southwestern US. Wife noticed awhile ago that sometimes her tailgate closes but doesn’t latch and will show as ajar on the dash. No difference between the tailgate buttons or the remote. If she manually closes it by hand it will latch 95% of the time first try. The strange thing is it definitely happens more if the tailgate is parked in direct sunlight.

Our warranty expired a couple hundred miles ago and we could never make the fault happen at the dealer.

Anyone know what part I should replace or a fix?

 

[AWAR]

I don’t know if you get the same message if the glass only is open, I get the same message on both the 03 Navigator and the 04 Expedition if either is ajar. I have more problems with the glass opening by bumping the button of the fob.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

So, this might be an odd one. 2020 Max Limited and we live in the Southwestern US. Wife noticed awhile ago that sometimes her tailgate closes but doesn’t latch and will show as ajar on the dash. No difference between the tailgate buttons or the remote. If she manually closes it by hand it will latch 95% of the time first try. The strange thing is it definitely happens more if the tailgate is parked in direct sunlight.

Our warranty expired a couple hundred miles ago and we could never make the fault happen at the dealer.

Anyone know what part I should replace or a fix?

Purchased new? Ever in a rear-end accident?

I would check the rear hatch rubber bumpers (body or hatch mounted) to see if they are in place. If they are adjustable, perhaps adjust them inward slightly and close the hatch?

 

[500LiterMin]

Used from Ford but clean history. No accidents. This just started happening after we’ve owned the car for a few years.

I’ll look at the rubber bumpers and see what’s going on, they are all there.

 

[500LiterMin]

s was

I don’t know if you get the same message if the glass only is open, I get the same message on both the 03 Navigator and the 04 Expedition if either is ajar. I have more problems with the glass opening by bumping the button of the fob.

we never use the glass part. Only the entire door.

 

[500LiterMin]

nothing wrong with the rubber bumpers. I’m thinking it must be something with the locking assembly mechanism. Something to do with heat.

 

[500LiterMin]

Anyone know the part number for the latch mechanism? Tried to troubleshoot and it seems like the tailgate wants to latch and I can hear it actuating but it either stops last second or fails to.

 

[AWAR]

 

[500LiterMin]

View attachment 87798

Thank you!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Anyone know the part number for the latch mechanism? Tried to troubleshoot and it seems like the tailgate wants to latch and I can hear it actuating but it either stops last second or fails to.

You can go to FordPartsGiant.com, enter your VIN, and look up the latch assembly part number for your vehicle (parts are determined as VIN specific).