How to disable hands-free liftgate feature???

[Rossi6998]

Is there a way to disable the hands-free liftgate feature? I looked through the owner's manual and read how to turn off the power liftgate through the vehicle settings on the touchscreen, but I want to disable the hands-free feature so the liftgate will not open when I kick my foot under the bumper. I also noticed a lock button near the close button on the inside of the liftgate, but I have not had an opportunity to play with the button. I am wondering if that is my solution, but I could not find anything in the manual about this button. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[S Cobb]

That lock button locks all doors!

 

[Rossi6998]

Makes sense. Anyone on disabling the hands-free liftgate feature?

 

[Dgoebel57]

Don't kick your foot under the rear bumper?

 

[Malpheus]

Don't kick your foot under the rear bumper?

I really am curious how this is being triggered unintentionally as well, sometimes I have to wave at mine like an idiot with my foot...

 

[Malpheus]

Is there a way to disable the hands-free liftgate feature? I looked through the owner's manual and read how to turn off the power liftgate through the vehicle settings on the touchscreen, but I want to disable the hands-free feature so the liftgate will not open when I kick my foot under the bumper. I also noticed a lock button near the close button on the inside of the liftgate, but I have not had an opportunity to play with the button. I am wondering if that is my solution, but I could not find anything in the manual about this button. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

that lock button locks the height in which the liftgate goes up I believe. old lady adjuster

 

[Rossi6998]

I really am curious how this is being triggered unintentionally as well, sometimes I have to wave at mine like an idiot with my foot...

I have a small garage with a lot of items stored along the walls. Every so often, I will walk by the vehicle and my foot will slide under the rear bumper causing the liftgate to activate. So far, the several unintentional openings have not caused any damage to the liftgate, but I want to prevent this in the future. So it's not as simple as Dgoebel57's response of "Don't kick your foot under the rear bumper?" Thanks!

 

[Mrwaug]

There is a option under setting, to turn off the hand free option

 

[Rossi6998]

There is a option under setting, to turn off the hand free option

Unfortunately, that setting will not turn off the hands-free option. It just prevents the liftgate from automatically raising. Not what I am looking for, but thanks!

 

[LAX_24/7]

Unfortunately, that setting will not turn off the hands-free option. It just prevents the liftgate from automatically raising. Not what I am looking for, but thanks!

Yes your right about that. I turned it off myself thinking it was to prevent the foot activation but when the wifey came home after grocery shopping, she was PISSED!

She said she didn't understand why non of the buttons were not working and had to hand lift the tailgate and said it was heavy af...

Was not happy!

Turned it back on... lol

 

[FordHousePDX]

I have a small garage with a lot of items stored along the walls. Every so often, I will walk by the vehicle and my foot will slide under the rear bumper causing the liftgate to activate. So far, the several unintentional openings have not caused any damage to the liftgate, but I want to prevent this in the future. So it's not as simple as Dgoebel57's response of "Don't kick your foot under the rear bumper?" Thanks!

You can program how high the lift gate opens. I had to do it to prevent mine from hitting too. Search for it in the manual, it's in there somewhere. I think i pushed the button on the tailgate to open it and then pushed-and-held it at the point where i wanted it to stop...something like that

 

[FordHousePDX]

"Setting the Liftgate Open Height 1. Open the liftgate. 2. Stop the liftgate movement by pressing the control button on the liftgate when it reaches the desired height. Note: Once the liftgate has stopped moving, you can also manually move it to the desired height. 3. Press and hold the liftgate control button on the liftgate until you hear a tone, indicating programming is complete "

 

[ChristianGMoore]

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to turn off the foot sensor. Maybe just put duct tape over it? COMPLETELY frustrated by it as it keeps coming down on my head. Very over sensitive.

 

[Vash610]

anyone find a way to disable the hands free liftgate yet? My wife was packing groceries and it just auto closed on her. I rather just disable it I barely use the feature.

 

[hbalek]

anyone find a way to disable the hands free liftgate yet? My wife was packing groceries and it just auto closed on her. I rather just disable it I barely use the feature.

At nearly 7,000 miles and 8 months of ownership, this had been an issue for me, the unwanted opening and closing, at random times. Recently, however, I noticed this is no longer happening and the sensor is not as sensitive as it had been from day one!

 

[FatGuyBuilds_YT]

even at a do it yourself car wash my rear door gets triggered

Don't kick your foot under the rear bumper?

 

[KegsBdry]

Does all STs come with this 'auto lift gate' feature or is it an add-on? Mine has never worked but I'm the second owner. Previous owner could have disabled it in forescan? Who knows.

I don't want feature due to my tiny garage.

 

[GTP]

Me: "Doctor, every time I sip my coffee I get a sharp pain in my eye. What is wrong with me?"
Doc: "Next time try removing the spoon first."

We occasionally program the liftgate height so that it doesn't hit the garage door when both are open. Then we bump our heads on it from then on because it's too low.

 

[Dgoebel57]

WOW, So many folks complain about NOT being able to get this feature to work when they want it.
I Do Sincerely apologize for being so flippant when I cracked unwise to Rossi...
I would love to find out how it works accidentally or unintentionally. I always believed I had to kick my big size 11 under the bumper at least 6 to 10 inches, to trigger the liftgate. After reading this I went and laid down in my garage with the ST backed in and discovered even a minor hand wave under and back to the left or right of the receiver hitch would open or close my rear liftgate. And While trying to flash photograph the area looking for ANY kind of sensor that could be blocked, my camera flash triggered the open/close cycle!
Apologies again Rossi (and others who are vexed), My wife has a '17 Escape with this feature and it's NO WHERE near as sensitive.

 

[hbalek]

WOW, So many folks complain about NOT being able to get this feature to work when they want it.
I Do Sincerely apologize for being so flippant when I cracked unwise to Rossi...
I would love to find out how it works accidentally or unintentionally. I always believed I had to kick my big size 11 under the bumper at least 6 to 10 inches, to trigger the liftgate. After reading this I went and laid down in my garage with the ST backed in and discovered even a minor hand wave under and back to the left or right of the receiver hitch would open or close my rear liftgate. And While trying to flash photograph the area looking for ANY kind of sensor that could be blocked, my camera flash triggered the open/close cycle!
Apologies again Rossi (and others who are vexed), My wife has a '17 Escape with this feature and it's NO WHERE near as sensitive.

I find that a shadow cast under the bumper as you walk by can trigger the door to open, especially if you walk really close to the bumper like at a gas station or in my driveway. And maybe it's just me but I noticed when the car is dirty it is less sensitive and after carwash, it gets super sensitive again.