FORD F-150 2021 Owners Manual
Manufacturer: FORD, Model Year: 2021, Model line: F-150, Model: FORD F-150 2021Pages: 796, PDF Size: 13.89 MB
Page 121 of 796

4. Connect the two panels. Rotate both
knobs one-quarter turn clockwise to
secure the panels. 5. Insert the latch rod into the tailgate
hole.
6. Engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box. Grocery Mode
1. Follow steps 1-4.
2.
Before engaging the locking pins, rotate
the panels away from the tailgate.
3. Engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box.
4. Close the tailgate.
TAILGATE WORK SURFACE (IF
EQUIPPED)
The tailgate work surface is a durable and
functional surface on the inside portion of
your tailgate you can use to perform
various tasks.
To use the tailgate work surface, fold down
the tailgate.
117
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Manual TailgateE311524 E311520 E311519
Page 122 of 796

Tablet stand.
A
Tool inset.
B
Clamp pocket.
C
Standard and metric ruler.
D
Cup holder.
E
Tailgate anchors.
F The tailgate work surface contains clamp
pockets that allows you to secure work
material.
Note:
Damage could occur to the tailgate
if you overload the vertical clamp arm in any
direction.
Note: When you finish using the tailgate
work surface, make sure you remove all of
your belongings, then close the tailgate.
118
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Manual TailgateE308677 E336605
Page 123 of 796

TAILGATE PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: It is extremely
dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside
or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow
people to ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats and
seatbelts. Make sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and properly using a
seatbelt. Failure to follow this warning
could result in serious personal injury or
death.
OPENING THE TAILGATE
OPENING THE TAILGATE FROM
INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE
The vehicle must be in park (P) to operate
the power tailgate. Press the button on the
instrument panel.
Note: A tone sounds while the tailgate
opens.
Note: The tailgate stops and reverses if it
detects an obstruction when opening.
Note: An alert sounds if the electronic
tailgate is disabled.
OPENING THE TAILGATE FROM
OUTSIDE YOUR VEHICLE
1. Unlock the vehicle with the remote control or power door unlock control.
Note: If an intelligent access transmitter is
within
3 ft (1 m) of the tailgate, the tailgate
unlocks when you press the tailgate release
button. 2. Press the button in the top of the
tailgate handle.
OPENING THE TAILGATE USING
THE REMOTE CONTROL Press the remote control button
twice within three seconds.
CLOSING THE TAILGATE
CLOSING THE TAILGATE FROM
INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE Press the button on the
instrument panel.
Note: The tailgate stops and reverses if it
detects an obstruction when closing.
CLOSING THE TAILGATE FROM
OUTSIDE YOUR VEHICLE
You can close the power tailgate by:
• Pressing the tailgate button on your
remote control twice within three
seconds.
• Pressing the button on the instrument
panel.
• Pressing the button on the tailgate.
119
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power TailgateE308661 E346998 E191530 E308661
Page 124 of 796

Note:
The tailgate stops and reverses if it
detects an obstruction when closing.
Lift-to-Close
To close the tailgate automatically using
lift-to-close, lift the tailgate approximately
4 in (10 cm) and hold it for a few seconds.
Note: If the tailgate position is more than
halfway between open and close, it may not
close automatically.
Manual Close
You can close the tailgate manually when
you lift the tailgate in a continuous motion.
If you stop the tailgate motion, the
lift-to-close feature can engage and power
close the tailgate.
Putting the Tailgate in Manual Mode
You can put the tailgate in manual mode
through the vehicle settings in your
touchscreen.
Note: In manual mode, the tailgate only
functions by the tailgate release button and
messaging is reduced.
CLOSING THE TAILGATE USING
THE REMOTE CONTROL Press the remote control button
twice within three seconds.
REMOVING AND INSTALLING
THE TAILGATE WARNING: Always properly secure
cargo to prevent shifting cargo or cargo
falling from the vehicle. Failure to do so
could result in compromised vehicle
stability and serious personal injury to
vehicle occupants or others. 1. Put the tailgate into manual mode by
accessing the vehicle settings using the
touchscreen.
2. Open the tailgate.
3. Disconnect the power door locks in-line
connector. It is under the pickup box
on the right-hand side of the vehicle
near the spare tire.
4. Install a protective cap on the in-line connector portion that remains under
the pickup box.
Note: The protective cap is in the glove
compartment.
5. Partially raise the tailgate. Carefully feed the tailgate harness up through
the gap between the pickup box and
the bumper and place it out of the way
under the pickup box.
6. Fully lower the tailgate.
120
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power TailgateE191530 E189556
Page 125 of 796

7. Remove the retaining screw.
8. Use a screwdriver to gently pry the
spring clip on each connector past the
head of the support screw. Disconnect
the cable.
9. Disconnect the other cable.
Note: To avoid damaging the tailgate, you
may need assistance when removing. The
tailgate weighs approximately 97 lb (44 kg). 10. Lift the tailgate to 45 degrees from
the horizontal position.
11. Lift the right-hand side off its hinge.
12. Lift the tailgate to 80 degrees from the horizontal position.
13. Remove the tailgate from the left-hand side hinge by sliding it to
the right.
14. Install the tailgate in reverse order.
Note: After reinstalling the tailgate it is
important to reinstall the retaining screw to
the recommended torque, 7 lb.ft (10 Nm)
.
Failure to install the retaining screw can
cause the tailgate to detach.
TAILGATE STEP
(IF EQUIPPED)
ACCESSING THE TAILGATE STEP
1. Lower the tailgate.
2. Push the button in the center of the step molding. The step pops out
slightly. 3. Pull the step out fully. Lower the step
to its lowest position.
121
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power Tailgate E310339 E311529 E187718
Page 126 of 796

4. Pull the yellow handle stop backward
out of the tailgate until it fully extends.
5. To lock the handle in place, rotate the handle up from the horizontal to the
vertical position until you hear a click.
Note: Do not tow with the step or grab
handle.
Replace the slip resistance tape or grab
handle molding if it appears as worn or
damaged.
To reduce the risk of falling:
• Only operate the step when your
vehicle is on a level surface.
• Only operate the step in areas with
sufficient lighting.
• Make sure you use the grab handle
when climbing on the step.
• Do not use the step with bare feet.
• Make sure the step is clean before use.
• Keep the step load below the total
maximum load of 350 lb (159 kg).
STOWING THE TAILGATE STEP
1. Press the yellow button on the handle to lower and then press the yellow
lever at the bottom of the handle to
unlock. Rotate the handle down from
the vertical to the horizontal position
and push it into the tailgate. 2.
Rotate the step up until it is horizontal,
then push it back into the tailgate until
the step is secure.
Note: Make sure to close and fully latch the
step before moving your vehicle. Do not
drive with the step or grab handle open.
Note: The power tailgate cannot close if
the step is opened. A warning message
appears and a chime sounds. After stowing
step the power close function is restored.
BED EXTENDER
(IF EQUIPPED)
BED EXTENDER PRECAUTIONS
Note: Do not use the bed extender when
driving off road.
Note: Make sure to engage the locking pins
and knobs fully before driving your vehicle.
Note: Make sure to secure all cargo.
Note: Do not exceed
150 lb (68 kg) on the
tailgate when your vehicle is moving.
Note: Do not keep the bed extender in the
tailgate mode when you are not using it for
restraining cargo. Always keep the bed
extender in the grocery mode or the stowed
position with the tailgate closed.
122
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power TailgateE189557
Page 127 of 796

USING THE BED EXTENDER
1. Pull the locking pin toward the center
of your vehicle. 2.
Open the latches to release the panels. 3. Rotate the panels toward the tailgate.
Repeat steps 1-3 on the other side of
your vehicle.
123
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power TailgateE311521 E311522 A
B
A
12
203A
A E311523
Page 128 of 796

4. Connect the two panels. Rotate both
knobs one-quarter turn clockwise to
secure the panels. 5. Insert the latch rod into the tailgate
hole.
6. Engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box. Grocery Mode
1. Follow steps 1-4.
2.
Before engaging the locking pins, rotate
the panels away from the tailgate.
3. Engage both sides of the locking pins into their holes in the pick-up box.
4. Close the tailgate.
TAILGATE WORK SURFACE (IF
EQUIPPED)
The tailgate work surface is a durable and
functional surface on the inside portion of
your tailgate you can use to perform
various tasks.
To use the tailgate work surface, fold down
the tailgate.
124
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power TailgateE311524 E311520 E311519
Page 129 of 796

Tablet stand.
A
Tool inset.
B
Clamp pocket.
C
Standard and metric ruler.
D
Cup holder.
E
Tailgate anchors.
F The tailgate work surface contains clamp
pockets that allows you to secure work
material.
Note:
Damage could occur to the tailgate
if you overload the vertical clamp arm in any
direction.
Note: When you finish using the tailgate
work surface, make sure you remove all of
your belongings, then close the tailgate.
TAILGATE –
TROUBLESHOOTING
TAILGATE – WARNING LAMPS Illuminates when the tailgate is
not completely closed.
TAILGATE – INFORMATION MESSAGES Action
Message
The tailgate is not completely closed.
Tailgate Ajar
Reminder to check if tailgate is closed securely. If messagepersists contact an authorized dealer.
Power Tailgate System
Fault Service Now
You need to stow the tailgate step before the power tailgate can close.
Power Tailgate Stow
Step
125
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power TailgateE308677 E336605 E311338
Page 130 of 796

TAILGATE – FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Why won't my power tailgate open?
Make sure the transmission is in park
(P), ensure nothing is obstructing the
tailgate path and or causing resistance
(tonneau cover or other aftermarket
accessory, freezing conditions or being
parked downhill). If you have
continued issues, the battery voltage
may be low or other system issues.
See an authorized dealer.
Why won't my power tailgate close? Your vehicle speed is at or above
2.5 mph (4 km/h), the tailgate
encountered an obstacle or freezing
conditions. After removing the
obstacles, manually close the tailgate
to resume normal operation. If you
have continued issues, the battery
voltage may be low or other system
issues. See an authorized dealer.
126
F-150 (TFD) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202104, Second-Printing Tailgate - Vehicles With: Power Tailgate