My new to me 2018 XLT has a tailgate latch that sticks open when I drop the gate. I assume there is a spring or something that is supposed to pull the latch closed when I release it? I searched this forum and google but didn’t see an answer. This is a manual tailgate with electronic lock.

 

it works similar to your doors. the latch retracts when the handle is released. your manual tailgate has 2 rods that´s attached to the handle that is pulled when you pull the handle up. is your

 

Looks like your answer didn't get completed. After watching a couple of videos, it looks like I might have to adjust the rod lengths or maybe just clean and lubricate a stick latch mechanism, either way I will need to open up the tailgate. I'll take a look when the weather warms up a bit.

 

Opening up the tailgate is pretty straightforward. Just need a torx 30 bit if I remember correctly.

 

And warmer temperatures outside. Our garage is unheated and we're at -2 F right now. Maybe a spring project along with installing the tailgate damper. I was leaning toward the Ford OEM part but after reading reviews and seeing the install, I think I'm going with the DeeZee. It's the simplicity of the install, not the cost. I live in a condo so I don't have my own garage to work in. I could just see myself dropping that tailgate on the cement floor doing the Ford install.

 

I know this is a bit of an old post, but did you get the sticking handle figured out? I am having the same issue. Took the panel off, sprayed it all with white lithium grease, but handle still doesn't return to neutral position (sticks out like in your picture).

 

Was anyone able to diagnose their 2018 tailgate handle/latch sticking open problem? Recently developed this same issue with a 2018 STX where the handle stays out & will not automatically retract.

 

Same issue here on my 2019. I have also noticed it takes quite a bit of force to pop the handle out when opening too then it stays open. It works, just a but cumbersome to have to push the handle back in.....someone here has got to have had the same issue with a remedy???

Thanks!

 

So I had time to mess with it this am. I took the tailgate cover off like many of you and sprayed and lubed the mechanism under the cover but the handle kept sticking. THEN, i sprayed some WD40 onto the backside (inner) part of the handle itself and it is now easy to pull and snaps back. So I believe the trick is that it is sticking up in the handle itself and not the mechanism that unlatches the tailgate. Hope I'm explaining well enough and it works well for a bit. Well see

 

When you say you sprayed the backside part of the handle, did you spray from inside the tailgate cover or from the handle? I tried spraying where the handle enters the tailgate and working it back and forth and couldn’t get it to work. I haven’t taken the tailgate cover off yet, plan to try that tomorrow.