FORD F-SERIES · model year

2005 FORD F-SERIES

12 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005FORDF-SERIES carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 F-SERIES is engine and engine cooling with 3 filings, followed by power train (1) and visibility:rear window wiper/washer (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2005 F-SERIES. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

12
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

12 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
POWER TRAIN1
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER1
TIRES1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
SUSPENSION1
STEERING1

Recent Complaints

20111212SUSPENSION

OUR 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY, (WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES) CONTINUES TO HAVE INSTANCES OF EXTREME FRONT END SHAKING WHEN CROSSING BRIDGES AND GOING OVER ANY SIZE BUMPS IN THE ROAD, (BIG OR SMALL). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE IS 'OUT OF CONTROL'!!! THIS IS A SEVERE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A FATAL CRASH TO GET THE ATTENTION FROM THE FORD MANUFACTURER????? OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT???? THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS DENY THERE IS ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, HAVE PAID PRIVATE MECHANIC TO INSTALL STABILIZER, ETC., BUT PROBLEM IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. DUE TO THIS BEING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FORMAL RECALL PROCESS BEGIN. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20111212STEERING

OUR 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY, (WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES) CONTINUES TO HAVE INSTANCES OF EXTREME FRONT END SHAKING WHEN CROSSING BRIDGES AND GOING OVER ANY SIZE BUMPS IN THE ROAD, (BIG OR SMALL). WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLE IS 'OUT OF CONTROL'!!! THIS IS A SEVERE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A FATAL CRASH TO GET THE ATTENTION FROM THE FORD MANUFACTURER????? OR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT???? THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS DENY THERE IS ANY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE, HAVE PAID PRIVATE MECHANIC TO INSTALL STABILIZER, ETC., BUT PROBLEM IS ONLY GETTING WORSE. DUE TO THIS BEING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FORMAL RECALL PROCESS BEGIN. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20111114FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

STARTING WITH A SERVICE ON 2/19/2008 THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IDLING REALLY ROUGH AND MAKING A TICKING SOUND WHEN STARTED. AT THAT TIME THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE NOISE WENT AWAY WITH FACTORY OIL AND FILTER. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED UP TO AND INCLUDING WHEN WE TOOK IT IN LAST WEEK WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH THICKER OIL, AND TO RETURN WHEN IT IS TIME FOR OUR NEXT SERVICE. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS PERSISTED SINCE MID 2010, IT IS A FOUL FUEL SMELL COMING INSIDE THE CAB, THROUGH THE AC VENTS WHEN THE TRUCK IS STARTED IN THE MORNING AND WHEN IDLING. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER AGING THAT NOTHING CAN BE FOUND AND THEY CANNOT SMELL IT. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THEY DROVE THE TRUCK AROUND DURING A SERVICE ON 8/17/2011 TO SEE IF THEY COULD SMELL IT, YET OUR MILES IN AND MILES OUT ON OUR SERVICE RECORDS BOTH STATE 47,771. NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT WITHOUT CHANGING THE MILES. OUR TRUCK BARELY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS SERVICED REGULARLY YET IT IDLES

Mileage: 26,143

20111114ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

STARTING WITH A SERVICE ON 2/19/2008 THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IDLING REALLY ROUGH AND MAKING A TICKING SOUND WHEN STARTED. AT THAT TIME THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE NOISE WENT AWAY WITH FACTORY OIL AND FILTER. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED UP TO AND INCLUDING WHEN WE TOOK IT IN LAST WEEK WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH THICKER OIL, AND TO RETURN WHEN IT IS TIME FOR OUR NEXT SERVICE. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS PERSISTED SINCE MID 2010, IT IS A FOUL FUEL SMELL COMING INSIDE THE CAB, THROUGH THE AC VENTS WHEN THE TRUCK IS STARTED IN THE MORNING AND WHEN IDLING. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER AGING THAT NOTHING CAN BE FOUND AND THEY CANNOT SMELL IT. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THEY DROVE THE TRUCK AROUND DURING A SERVICE ON 8/17/2011 TO SEE IF THEY COULD SMELL IT, YET OUR MILES IN AND MILES OUT ON OUR SERVICE RECORDS BOTH STATE 47,771. NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT WITHOUT CHANGING THE MILES. OUR TRUCK BARELY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS SERVICED REGULARLY YET IT IDLES

Mileage: 26,143

20110917ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SPARK PLUGS CAME APART DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT. MY REQUIRE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF CYLINDER HEAD TO REMOVE BROKEN PIECES. DESIGN IS HORRIFIC AND GUARANTEED TO FAIL. *TT

Mileage: 54,240

20110903ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE A FORD 2005 F-150 THAT HAS A MISFIRE IN CYLINDER NUMBER 6 DUE TO A SPARK PLUG DEFECT ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS. THE SPARK PLUG CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING AS IT APPEARS TO BE FUSED TO THE HEAD. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT FORD MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS DEFECT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, AND JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THUSLY NOT A CONSUMER PROBLEM. THE SPARK PLUG DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED AT THE TIME OF EMISSION TESTING WHICH IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY UNDER GEORGIA LAW IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE A VEHICLE TAG RENEWAL. *TR

20110224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE TRUCK HAD SEVERAL CRANK-NO START PROBLEMS. IT CONTINUED OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW WEEKS. VEHICLE FINALLY GOT TO THE POINT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS A LITTLE HESITANT AT TIMES WHEN RUNNING AND I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD DIE ON ME IN TRAFFIC. WE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON VEHICLE IN BEGINNING AND RETRIEVED CODE FOR THE CAM SENSOR. WE REPLACED AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ONE WEEK. THAT'S THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD NOT START. WE HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND UPON THEIR DIAGNOSIS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE FICM TO PCM AND TO THE INJECTORS HAD SHORTS IN IT. I HAVE READ ON A PREVIOUS RECALL # 05V270000, WHERE THE FICM WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS RELATED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN US A PRICE OF $2600.00 TO REPAIR. I BELIEVE AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LAST LONGER THAN 6 YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

20110224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE TRUCK HAD SEVERAL CRANK-NO START PROBLEMS. IT CONTINUED OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW WEEKS. VEHICLE FINALLY GOT TO THE POINT IT WOULD NOT RESTART. IT WAS A LITTLE HESITANT AT TIMES WHEN RUNNING AND I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD DIE ON ME IN TRAFFIC. WE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON VEHICLE IN BEGINNING AND RETRIEVED CODE FOR THE CAM SENSOR. WE REPLACED AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ONE WEEK. THAT'S THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD NOT START. WE HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND UPON THEIR DIAGNOSIS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE FICM TO PCM AND TO THE INJECTORS HAD SHORTS IN IT. I HAVE READ ON A PREVIOUS RECALL # 05V270000, WHERE THE FICM WIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS RELATED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS GIVEN US A PRICE OF $2600.00 TO REPAIR. I BELIEVE AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO LAST LONGER THAN 6 YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

20100806FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

LOST OF POWER, THEN CRANK BUT NOT START THEN START A DEALER AFTER BEING TOWED TO THEM, EXCESSIVE SMOKING TO BLAME ON ERG VALVE AND COOLER, AND TURBO AIR CHARGER LEAK. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF ERG VALVE AND COOLER, AND REPLACEMENT OF AIR TURBO CHARGER (COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASE). *TR

Mileage: 46,000

20090909TIRES

I PURCHASED A SET OF MICHELIN 26570 17" CHAPARAL ON 5/08 FOR A F-250 . LESS THEN A YEAR LATER ONE TIRE HAS BIG LUMPS ON IT . THE TIRE STORE REPLACED IT IN 5/09 IN 8/09 ONE OF THE TIRES CAME APART AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK $3,000.00. *TR

Mileage: 78,234

20090723VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

IT SEEMS THAT THE FORD MOTOR CORP HAS BEEN INSTALLING DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATORS IN MANY OF THEIR TRUCKS AND LARGER SUV'S. THESE REGULATORS ALLOW THE WINDOW TO BE OPENED IN CLOSED AND OFTEN FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. ONCE THE PART FAILS, THE WINDOW CRASHES DOWN INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR AND CANNOT BE ROLLED UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO TWO OF MY FOUR WINDOWS ON MY 2005 F-150 TRUCK. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,000 FOR TOTAL. MANY OF THESE VEHICLES ARE USED IN THE SERVICE AND LAW ENFROCEMENT INDUSTRY AND SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH DEALERS. I REALIZE THAT VEHICLES COST MONEY OVER TIME BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT TWO WINDOWS WITHIN A THREE WEEK TIME PERIOD HAVE FAILED. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THE PARTS ARE MADE CHEAPLY OR ARE DEFECTIVE AND THAT A RECALL IS JUSTIFIED SO THAT THE CONSUMER CAN RECOUP SOME OF THE LOSS. IT MAY HAVE BEEN CHEAPER JUST TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR FOR THE $ 500 I SPENT ON EACH WINDOW. *T

Mileage: 43,000

20090315POWER TRAIN

TRUCK WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM 4HI AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS TURNED OFF IT WILL MAKE A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND, WHICH I THINK HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSFER CASE. THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN FOR 4HI, SO I AM ALSO THINKING THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE RELAY SWITCH.. ALSO OUR TRUCK VIBRATES, BUT HAS ONLY DONE IT TWICE, HOWEVER THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 68 THOUSANDS KILOMETERS ON IT, IT IS LIKE A BRAND NEW TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. ARE THEY ACTUALLY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE IN ONE OF THESE TRUCKS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? *TR

Mileage: 36,000

Compare 2005FORDF-SERIES to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 FORD F-SERIES have?
The 2005 FORD F-SERIES has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 FORD F-SERIES?
The most-complained component for the 2005 FORD F-SERIES is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER.
Is the 2005 FORD F-SERIES safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.