2003 Ford F-150 Tailgate Lock Cylinder Replacement Cost

The lock cylinders on a vehicle are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. But, because today's vehicles are more often locked and unlocked with a remote key fob, with the lock buttons on the door panel, or automatically when shifting into gear, the lock cylinder gets little to no use. This state of disuse often causes a lock cylinder to seize up. The tiny tumblers inside the cylinder can no longer move freely and respond to the key. Most complaints about faulty lock cylinders are caused by this situation.

To diagnose a bad tailgate lock cylinder, a technician will attempt to insert and turn the key. If the key is difficult to insert or does not turn freely, the technician may try to lubricate the cylinder and get it to free up. If this is not possible, the technician will remove the latch handle assembly from the tailgate to access the cylinder, the inside of the latch, and the connecting linkage. The goal is to rule out any other components as the cause of the problem. The lock cylinder may be removed from the latch handle assembly to observe how it operates on its own. If the rest of the system is operating properly, the lock cylinder is replaced.

To replace a tailgate lock cylinder, a technician will need to remove the latch handle assembly that houses the cylinder. This may require removal of any panels or closures on the inside of the tailgate, which can present a challenge if an aftermarket protective lining has been applied to the truck bed and tailgate. The lock cylinder is removed from the handle assembly. A new lock cylinder needs to be "coded" by the dealer to fit the key before it is installed.

On today's cars, trucks, and SUVs, it is easy to neglect the lock cylinders on a vehicle, especially the one in the tailgate. But, should the battery die for some reason, a key is the only way to unlock the vehicle. RepairPal recommends that the lock cylinders, whether in the tailgate or in the doors, be operated with the key periodically as part of routine vehicle maintenance. This will help to prevent the cylinders from seizing up and failing prematurely.

Many truck owners have a sprayed-on coating, or bed liner, applied to protect the paint finish from abrasion. This coating also covers the inside of the tailgate. On some vehicles, gaining access to the inside of the tailgate or to the mounting hardware for the latch handle is more difficult because of the bed liner. It may be necessary to cut through the coating to remove hardware or closure panels. In these cases, the bedliner will need to be resprayed over the bolts to maintain the original appearance.

Replacement of the tailgate lock cylinder can usually be performed by someone with an intermediate level of DIY experience. It will be necessary to have the new lock cylinder "coded" to the key for the vehicle by the dealer or a qualified locksmith.