2019 Ford F-350 SD Body Problems

23 owners have reported body & structure problems with the 2019 Ford F-350 SD to NHTSA — 5% of all 467 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 10,000 miles. That ranks #3 of 26 F-350 SD model years for body complaints (a typical year has 3). One related recall has been issued.

23complaints
10ktypical miles
1related recalls
2crashes
0fires
0injuries

Which parts fail

  • Body
    20
  • Body › Tailgate
    2

Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1165%
  • 25k–50k
    529%
  • 50k–75k
    16%
  • 75k–100k
    00%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Ford F-350 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while the vehicle was in the automatic car wash, water entered the vehicle from the front windshield. The water leaked into the fuse box and short-circuited the fuse box. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the seal around the windshield needed to be resealed and the fuse box replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle abruptly came to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred 2 additional times. The dealer diagnosed that the clutch plate failed and gear 1 and gear 2 were heat-welded together. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. …

30,000 miles · Feb 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the roof seam cover had lifted and detached. Additionally, the contact stated that while raining or washing the vehicle, there was water entering the headlight enclosures and the headlights became inoperable. While the vehicle was in park(P), the interior lights turned on without driver input, and turned off while shifted into reverse(R). There was no notification from Ford Pass. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact that there were no open recalls but diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Body · 10,000 miles · Jul 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-350. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the tailgate opened automatically. There were no warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a faulty tailgate. The tailgate was rewired; however, the failure reoccurred consistently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,473.

Body › Tailgate · 44,000 miles · May 2022

The truck tailgate opens unintentionally and with no notice. This has happened several times, seemingly randomly, and there is no notice from the driver seat that the tailgate has opened, other than visually looking via rear view mirror or from the outside of the truck. I am not able to reproduce the malfunction, as it happens randomly. So far, it appears to happen mostly when parked and/or when switching between park/drive/reverse. I have not positively confirmed the tailgate opening while the vehicle is in motion, but definitely have noticed it was open while driving after pulling into a parking space, reversing out, and then continuing to drive. The vehicle is available for inspection anytime. …

Body · Sep 2021

It had a tailgate recall, when recall first came out, they wouldn't look at it. It hadn't caused any damage, or wasn't bad enough. Then they didn't have the parts. Now when they have the parts, they will not fix it because it has to many miles on it. Well DUH! It is a work truck. Causing major insurance claims. and I can't get it fixed?

Body · Nov 2023

On or around June 4, 2022 I was driving my truck and had my enclosed trailer attached. I went to put my trailer up in storage and noticed my tailgate had opened on its own. This has caused damage to my tailgate and is a major safety concern that the tailgate is opening on its own.

Body · Jun 2022

Interior cabin Air Conditioning Unit leaks water inside the cab area. Water leaks below the passenger dash area, creating mold to the carpet and flooring. Water damage caused to the inside of the vehicle on multiple areas around the passenger front side inside the cabin.

Body · Jun 2024

2019 f-350 with 8' bed and approx 1000 miles. 1st occurrence: departed a campground towing a travel trailer (after doing 3 walk-around safety check prior to departing). Drove 10 miles to nearest gas station before getting on the highway where I discovered the tailgate was down and crushed by the travel trailer. Thinking back through my series of events; I was on level ground and did not reach down to disengage the parking brake below the gate release, I had a ground guide back me up out of my spot who confirmed gate was still up prior to departing, key was in the cup holder with no other objects. I reported this issue to the dealer(4 sept 2019). They reviewed current recalls on my model and none were reported. I filed a claim with my insurance and absorbed the repair expenses. Important to note, there was a heavy thunderstorm the night prior to departing. …

Body · 1,000 miles · Sep 2019 · crash

A Ford truck tailgate recall has satisfied federal safety regulators who opened an investigation in October 2018 following complaints about electric tailgates that suddenly opened. The investigation opened by the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) included electric tailgate problems in 2017-2019 Ford f-250, f-350 and f-450 super duty trucks." this recall has not fixed this issue and the tailgate continues to open and is a safety issue. We have attempted to work with Ford motor company legal division for compensation and a solution to this but they will not cooperate. Until NHTSA recognize the recall is a failure, owners will continue to be a safety problem on our highways. When did this happen? Multiple times! It has been to 5 dealerships trying to resolve this recall! The date listed below is the date we purchased our truck. …

Body · 38,000 miles · Jun 2019 · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Ford f-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate unlatched after the key fob was inadvertently depressed in his pocket. The contact stated that there was damage to the tailgate. The vehicle was taken to henry curtis Ford (1120 auto center dr, petaluma, ca 94952, [phone]) to be inspected. The contact was referred to napa county Ford (570 soscol ave, napa, ca 94559, [phone]). The contact was informed that the vehicle operated without the boundaries of how the vehicle was designed to operate. The contact stated that the mechanic agreed that there was a design flaw within the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer closed the case as per the manufacturer's request. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. …

Body · 5,000 miles · Oct 2020

Related recalls

Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields

NHTSA recall 22V-087 · Feb 16, 2022 · 247,445 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the driveshaft as necessary, and properly attach the underbody insulators, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 7, 2022.

NHTSA investigations

Power Tailgate Release Systems

NHTSA investigation RQ21001 · opened Jan 15, 2021 · closed Jan 10, 2024

In January 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (MY) 2017-2019 F-250/350/450 Ford trucks. Besides the recall remedy launched in January 2020, Ford also implemented a production update in November 2019.

Body complaints in other F-350 SD years

’97’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26561336311321111142452423123853
Body complaints per model year, Ford F-350 SD.

Frequently asked questions

How common are body problems on the 2019 Ford F-350 SD?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the body & structure of the 2019 Ford F-350 SD, 5% of the model year's 467 complaints. The component named most often is body (20 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2019 Ford F-350 SD body problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-087 (underbody shields, Feb 16, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2019 Ford F-350 SD body problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 65% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.