VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford F-250 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Ford F-250 sits mid-pack among F-250 years: 207 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 145, with 5 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (44), steering (39), and suspension (37), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

207

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other F-250 years?

See all F-250 years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4421%
Steering3919%
Suspension3718%
Fuel System199%
Transmission157%
Electrical System136%
Brakes115%
Tires & Wheels115%
Other94%
Body & Structure73%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Speed Control10%

Does the 2005 Ford F-250 have recalls?

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

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

09V026000OtherJanuary 26, 2009 · 108 units

Defect

COMM TRANS IS RECALLING 108 MY 2005-2008 FORD E250 AND E350 VANS BUILT ON FORD 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

COMM TRANS 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 COMM TRANS AT 901-726-9394.

09V025000OtherJanuary 23, 2009 · 111 units

Defect

COMM TRANS IS RECALLING 111 MY 2005-2008 FORD E250 AND E350 VANS BUILT ON FORD 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 ON 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

COMM TRANS 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 COMM TRANS AT 901-726-9394.

06E087000BrakesOctober 17, 2006 · 450 units

Defect

CERTAIN HARSCO WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS CONTAINING ACCURIDE STEEL RIMS, P/NOS. 203237 AND 203738; ACCURIDE ALUMINUM RIMS, P/N 203712; AND GKN STEEL RIMS, P/N 203688, SOLD AS MODIFICATION EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 2005-2007 FORD F-250/F-350 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS TO MODIFY TRACK WIDTH OF FRONT AND REAR AXLES. THE RIMS PROVIDED IN THESE WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS WEAR THROUGH THE OEM BRAKE LINES.

Consequence

BRAKE FAILURE CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

HARSCO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARSCO AT 507-235-7112.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT UPON START-UP. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE STARTER WOULD TURN OVER BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT TO NO AVAIL. ADDITIONALLY, BLACK SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 24, 2014 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN AND THE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MOUNTAIN AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 27, 2008 · crash

towing a trailer, traveling at 70 mph, I hit a pothole and vehicle violently shook. The episode lasted for approx 30 seconds. It was very Difficult to maintain control and I almost ran off the road. It happened several times before I took it for repairs. The stabilizer bar was replaced, however the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 24, 2022

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL IT CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 11, 2011 · crash

NOTICED A CLOUD OF SMOKE BEHIND VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTION FOUND IT WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM HOLE IN TOP OF TRANSMISSION ONTO EXHAUST (EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN FORD BULLETIN 05B27) HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 57,265 MILES AT A COST OF $4,000.00.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 3, 2015

2005 Ford F-250 — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford F-250 reliable?

It is close to typical for the F-250: 207 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 F-250 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (44 complaints), steering (39 complaints), suspension (37 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford F-250 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford F-250. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-250 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-250 years to avoid are 2019, 2017, 1999, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2000, 2011, 2020, 1997, 2006, 2001, 2008, 1995, 2014. The cleanest record among F-250 years belongs to 1982.

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.