Door Lock Actuator - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear door lock actuator on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost 4WD, including door panel removal and electrical connector access.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear door lock actuator assembly × 1 — Use OEM Ford specification or Motorcraft SW-6889
• Door panel trim clips (assorted) × 1 — Ford W714732-S300 or equivalent
• Door panel fasteners (as needed for replacement) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes for systems to power down
3. Open the rear door fully and support it in the open position
4. Roll down the rear door window completely using the manual release or a 12V jumper to the window motor
5. Gather all trim clips and fasteners in a magnetic tray to prevent loss

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove door panel screws
   Using a T30 Torx driver, remove the two screws located in the door pull/armrest area. Remove the Phillips screw behind the interior door handle trim bezel. Some models may have an additional screw in the lower rear corner of the door panel.
2. 2

   Remove door handle bezel and interior door handle
   Carefully pry out the interior door handle trim bezel using a trim removal tool, starting from the rear edge. Disconnect any courtesy light connectors if present. Pull the door handle to the open position and slide the bezel rearward to remove completely.
   ⚠The bezel has multiple clips; apply even pressure to avoid cracking the plastic
3. 3

   Disconnect door panel electrical connectors
   Locate and disconnect the electrical connectors for the power window switch (if equipped) and power lock switch. Press the locking tabs and pull connectors straight out. On models with power mirrors, disconnect that switch as well.
4. 4

   Remove door panel
   Starting at the bottom rear corner, use a trim panel removal tool to carefully release the retaining clips around the perimeter of the door panel. Work your way around the panel, releasing approximately 10-12 clips. Once all clips are released, lift the panel upward to disengage it from the window sill channel, then pull away from the door frame.
   ⚠Note the location of each clip type as some positions use different clip sizes
5. 5

   Remove or peel back water barrier
   Carefully peel back the plastic water barrier sheet to access the door internals. For better access, you may remove it completely by peeling it from the adhesive butyl sealant. If removing completely, ensure you do not tear the barrier as it must be reused or replaced.
6. 6

   Locate and access the door lock actuator
   Using a flashlight, locate the door lock actuator mounted to the door latch assembly near the rear edge of the door. The actuator is a black plastic module with an electrical connector and connected to the latch mechanism via linkage rods.
7. 7

   Disconnect actuator electrical connector
   Press the locking tab on the actuator electrical connector and pull it straight off the actuator. The connector may be stiff; use needle-nose pliers if necessary but do not pull on the wires.
8. 8

   Disconnect actuator linkage rods
   Using needle-nose pliers, carefully disconnect the plastic linkage rod clips connecting the actuator to the door latch mechanism. Note the orientation and position of each rod for reassembly. There are typically two rods: one for lock/unlock and one for power lock feedback.
   ⚠Linkage clips can break easily; work slowly and support the rod while releasing the clip
9. 9

   Remove actuator mounting fasteners
   Remove the three 8mm bolts or T30 Torx screws securing the actuator to the door latch assembly or door frame. Support the actuator while removing the last fastener to prevent it from falling into the door cavity.
10. 10

    Remove old actuator and install new actuator
    Remove the old actuator from the door. Position the new actuator in the same orientation as the old unit. Install the three mounting fasteners and tighten to 8.0 Nm (6 lb-ft) if using module mounting configuration. Ensure the actuator is properly aligned with the linkage connection points before fully tightening.
    Torque spec

    Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect linkage rods and electrical connector
    Reconnect the linkage rods to the new actuator in the same configuration as removed. Ensure each clip fully seats with an audible click. Connect the electrical connector to the actuator, ensuring the locking tab engages fully.
12. 12

    Test actuator operation
    Temporarily reconnect the battery negative terminal and test the door lock function using the key fob, door switch, and interior lock button. Verify the actuator cycles smoothly through lock and unlock positions without binding. Disconnect the battery again before continuing reassembly.
13. 13

    Reinstall water barrier and door panel
    Reposition the water barrier, pressing it firmly into the butyl adhesive around all edges to ensure a weathertight seal. Align the door panel with the window sill channel and slide it down into position. Press firmly around the perimeter to engage all retaining clips. Reinstall all door panel screws with appropriate torque.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect all door panel electrical connectors in reverse order of removal
2. Reinstall interior door handle bezel ensuring all clips engage properly
3. Verify all door panel screws are tightened securely but do not overtighten plastic fasteners
4. Reconnect battery negative terminal and tighten to 6.0 Nm (4 lb-ft)
5. Check door panel fit and ensure no rattles or gaps remain

Verification

• Test door lock operation from all control points: key fob, driver door switch, individual door switch, and manual lock button
• Verify door unlocks and locks smoothly without hesitation or unusual noise
• Confirm power door locks engage and disengage all doors when using the rear door switch
• Test that the manual lock knob moves appropriately when using power locks
• Verify door panel is secure with no rattles when closing the door
• Check that water barrier is properly sealed around all edges

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