VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford E-150 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 2005 Ford E-150 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other E-150 years?

E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted180 complaints1976: 3 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 3 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 20 complaints1988: 15 complaints1989: 37 complaints1990: 17 complaints1991: 20 complaints1992: 86 complaints1993: 95 complaints1994: 180 complaints1995: 104 complaints1996: 81 complaints1997: 122 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 115 complaints2000: 61 complaints2001: 52 complaints2002: 37 complaints2003: 31 complaints2004: 36 complaints2005: 24 complaints2006: 23 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 14 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 19 complaints2013: 29 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 10 complaints2016: 11 complaints2017: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2023: 0 complaints
E-150 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all E-150 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford E-150 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine521%
Fuel System521%
Brakes417%
Airbags313%
Electrical System28%
Transmission28%
Other14%
Steering14%
Visibility & Wipers14%

Does the 2005 Ford E-150 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11E047000Fuel SystemNovember 8, 2011 · 17 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS THAT COULD BE INSTALLED INTO MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 E-150, E-250, AND E-350 VANS AND WAGONS. THE AFFECTED FUEL TANKS HAVE AN EXTRA OBDII SENSOR HOLE ON THE TOP OF THE TANK THAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SEALED AND MAY LEAK FUEL.

Consequence

A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-800-232-5952.

09V100000OtherMarch 27, 2009 · 52 units

Defect

VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 52 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES," THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.

Consequence

A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

VAN CONVERSIONS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR VAN CONVERSIONS AT 610-837-0707.

09V102000OtherMarch 27, 2009 · 74 units

Defect

VAN CONVERSIONS IS RECALLING 74 MY 2004-2007 FORD E-150, E-250 E-350 AND MY 2006 GM SAVANNA 3500 VANS BUILT ON FORD AND GM CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.

Consequence

THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.

Remedy

VAN CONVERSIONS IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR VAN CONVERSIONS AT 610-837-0707.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DRIVING AT 35MPH, VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A BACKFIRING SOUND AND LOSING POWER. PULLED VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD TOWED TO FORD DEALER. FORD SERVICE ADVISER SAID #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. HE HAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN PULL OTHER PLUGS AND CHECKED GAP ON PLUGS TO FIND ALL PLUGS WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 21, 2013

“DRIVING AT 35MPH, VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A BACKFIRING SOUND AND LOSING POWER. PULLED VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAD TOWED TO FORD DEALER. FORD SERVICE ADVISER SAID #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. HE HAD SERVICE TECHNICIAN PULL OTHER PLUGS AND CHECKED GAP ON PLUGS TO FIND ALL PLUGS WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 21, 2013

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL AND MY BRAKES FAILED TOTALLY. I RAN HEAD ON INTO A TREE WHICH CAUSED ME TO BLACKOUT. ONCE RESCUED FROM TRUCK I WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED. SO I FEEL THERE ARE TWO FAILURES HERE THE BRAKES AND THE AIR BAG. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 15, 2008 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY, A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK JACKKNIFED AND THE CAB OF THE TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 14, 2006 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD E150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR IN REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 20, 2007

2005 Ford E-150 — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford E-150 reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 E-150 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (5 complaints), engine (5 complaints), brakes (4 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford E-150 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford E-150. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford E-150 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the E-150 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1999, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1998, 1996, 2000, 2001, 1989, 2002, 2004, 2003, 2011. The cleanest record among E-150 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.