Howdy - new to the forum, and to Fords. Just purchased a 2018 XLT and one of the options is the integrated tailgate step. I bought the truck about two weeks ago, and about two days ago I started noticing a rattle in the bed. Turns out it's the tailgate step. It's loose and rattles almost constantly.

This morning I took it to the dealership where I purchased the truck and they took a look. Nothing appeared to be wrong so we walked out onto the lot and it turns out that every 2018 on the lot we tested (about 25) all had the same issue. The tech told me there is nothing that could be done to solve the issue. I suppose I could get the standard tailgate without the step but it's pretty handy.

I tried padding the step where it meets the bumper but what seems to be causing the rattle is the rails of the step rattling inside the housing, inside the tailgate. Additionally, it's only loose on the passenger side (same with all the ones on the lot we tested). See attached photo - arrows pointing to the offending rail and housing.

Anyone else experiencing this issue?

Does Ford address (recall or warranty) these kids of known problems once there is enough critical mass?

Any suggestions for dealing with this rattle?

Thanks for any info, advice, ideas.

I appreciate all the great info on this forum.

 

Wow you have great hearing, mine probably rattles as well but damned if I can hear anything from way back there.
.

 

Funny. My hearing is crap. Ask my family. "Huh? What's that? Say again?"

I guess I just key in on car rattles. Hate them with a passion, especially in a two week old truck!

 

X2
I haven't heard any rattling from the tail gate step on my 2014 or 2017. Not sure if it's from poor hearing or it's not rattling?

 

Have the tailgate step option on my 17 & don't hear any rattle / noise from that area..
.

 

Called the sales rep who I worked with on the purchase and he's talking to the service manager for me about the issue. Sales rep went on the lot while we were on the phone and was stunned that every 2018 he tried had the same issue. I told him if it could be repaired/replaced, great. If not, I told him I wanted a standard tailgate without the step.

Question - the step was a $375 option. If they replace with a standard tailgate, should I be entitled to a refund since the upgraded option was defective? Seems like they should reimburse me for the expense if I end up not having it on the truck, i.e. they replace the existing tailgate with a new one without the integrated step.

Thanks for any advice, insight.

 

seems to me perhaps the mfg got some parts out of tolerance ?

 

You might have better luck if you ask/gently demand they change out the tailgate AND install a AMP or Trek bed step.

 

 

Haven't noticed any tail gate step noises on my 2016 XLT but it had a severe binding problem so bad i had to use a screw driver to pry it out.
After a couple visits to the dealership they finally replaced it.
The new one still binds a little but is tolerable.

Could it be they fixed binding issue complaints by loosening up the tail gate mechanisms on the newer F150s?