VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford F-250 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 381 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 10.9 times the median F-250 Sd year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 36 F-250 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 126 reports (33% of the total).

381

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other F-250 Sd years?

See all F-250 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford F-250 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension12633%
Steering6718%
Engine4712%
Electrical System359%
Fuel System287%
Brakes216%
Transmission164%
Tires & Wheels113%
Speed Control103%
Body & Structure92%
Latches & Locks41%
Other21%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Seats10%
Airbags10%

Does the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

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

20E090000OtherDecember 9, 2020 · 102 units

Defect

Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC (Icon) is recalling all 05-UP FSD 2.5 Centerline Stabilizer Kits with part number 65050. The kits were sold as an accessory for certain 2005-2021 Ford F-250 4X4 and F-350 4X4 pickup trucks. The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.

Consequence

If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Icon will notify owners, and dealers will install a new shock assembly with a revised foam ring and steel support disc, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Icon customer service at 1-951-689-4266.

11V352000LightingJuly 13, 2011 · 26,715 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RANGER TRUCKS BUILT FROM JANUARY 25, 2011, THROUGH APRIL 25, 2011 AT THE TWIN CITIES ASSEMBLY PLANT, AND SERVICE PARTS DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS FOR CERTAIN 2004 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR RANGER TRUCKS, 2002 THROUGH 2005 MODEL YEAR EXCURSION VEHICLES, AND 2002 THROUGH 2007 MODEL YEAR F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS SHIPPED WITH A SUBCOMPONENT (SLIDER) THAT MAY EXPERIENCE DEFORMATION. A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WITH A DEFORMED SLIDER MAY MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TURN SIGNAL, TAIL LIGHTS, HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL FLASHERS AND/OR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO ACTIVATE.

Consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SWITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

08E026000OtherMarch 27, 2008 · 338 units

Defect

TRUXXX IS RECALLING 338 AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT WELDED 3" LIFT BLOCKS FOR REAR SUSPENSIONS, PART NO. 206073, INCLUDED IN SUSPENSION KIT NOS. 108035 AND 108036, SOLD BETWEEN JULY 26, 2007 AND MARCH 4, 2008, FOR USE ON FORD MY 2005-2008 F-250 SUPERDUTY 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. COMPRESSIVE FORCES OF THE WELDED LIFT BLOCKS RESULTING FROM FORESEEABLE AND EXCESS VEHICLE PAYLOADS AS WELL AS OVER-TIGHTENING OF THE U-BOLTS DURING INSTALLATION MAY DISTORT THE BLOCKS, REDUCING THE INTENDED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE U-BOLTS.

Consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW POSSIBLE SHIFTING AND DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT AND AXLE.

Remedy

TRUXXX WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS/INSTALLERS AND WILL REPLACE AFFECTED WELDED LIFT BLOCKS WITH EITHER NON-WELDED ALUMINUM OR CAST IRON BLOCKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRUXXX AT 1-800-381-8320.

05V270000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2005 · 180,104 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND VANS EQUIPPED WITH 6.0L DIESEL ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART.

Consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) WIRE HARNESS OR REPLACED, AND/OR HAVE A NEW INJECTION CONTROL PRESSURE (ICP)) SENSOR CONNECTOR INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

05V266000Fuel SystemJune 9, 2005 · 78,675 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND CHASSIS CAB VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FUEL JUMPER LINE MAY HAVE AN INCORRECT END FORM.

Consequence

THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE AT THE CONNECTION TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE. IF THE FUEL LINE SEPARATES, AN OPERATOR MAY NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR AND/OR FUEL ON THE GROUND, LOSS OF POWER, AND THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY STALL. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN EXTERNAL RETENTION CLIP AT THE FUEL JUMPER LINE TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE CONNECTION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

FORD F-250 SUPERDUTY- WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH OR HIGHER,AND YOU HIT A SMALL POTHOLE OR DIP IN THE ROAD, THIS VEHICLE GOES INTO A VIOLENT SHIMMY. THE VEHICLE IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I WON'T LET ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS RIDE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME AND CRINGE AT THE THOUGHTS OF HAVING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 23, 2009 · crash

STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, ACCELERATED TO MAKE LEFT TURN,HIT EITHER A BUMP OR PATCH OF SAND WHEN STEERING TOOK TO LEFT THEN RIGHT AND COULD NOT GET BACK. HIT A GUARDRAIL AND LANDED IN DITCH. MY TRUCK IS TOTALED BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT SEVERELY INJURED. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 24, 2014 · crash

I HAVE A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK SINCE JAN OF 2206 I BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN UPDATE AND IT HASN'T RUN RIGHT SINCE THEN. IT FIRST STARTED WITH SPEED BUCKING. SO BROUGHT IT BACK THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED ON MY WAY HOME IT STARTED AGAIN THEN IN HAS NO POWER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 26, 2006 · fire

I WAS HEADING DOWN MY STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND JUST BEFORE THE STREET BENDS TO THE LEFT MY TRUCK STALLED AND I LOST MY POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. DOING THE BEST I COULD I TURNED THE WHEEL JUST ENOUGH TO AVOID THE CAR PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET THEN I PROCEEDED TO RUN THROUGH MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 14, 2014 · crash

I HAVE A 2005 F250 DIESEL TRUCK. I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 WHEN I NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM BEHIND MY CAB. I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT IT WAS TO LATE. THE FIRE BURNED THE TRUCK COMPLETELY. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 15, 2006 · fire

2005 Ford F-250 Sd — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 381 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 36 F-250 Sd years. It is one of the F-250 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 F-250 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (126 complaints), steering (67 complaints), engine (47 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford F-250 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2004, 2001, 1999, 2002, 2000, 2003, 2011, 2008, 2017, 2012, 2007, 2023, 2015, 2018, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021. The cleanest record among F-250 Sd years belongs to 1998.

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.