VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford F-350 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 269 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.8 times the median F-350 Sd year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 34 F-350 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (60), suspension (39), and steering (39), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

269

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

4

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other F-350 Sd years?

F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted269 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 5 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 169 complaints2000: 188 complaints2001: 188 complaints2002: 145 complaints2003: 164 complaints2004: 159 complaints2005: 269 complaints2006: 192 complaints2007: 35 complaints2008: 146 complaints2009: 25 complaints2010: 79 complaints2011: 63 complaints2012: 50 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 12 complaints2015: 26 complaints2016: 26 complaints2017: 118 complaints2018: 6 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 6 complaints2022: 158 complaints2023: 54 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 20 complaints2026: 12 complaints
F-350 Sd NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford F-350 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6022%
Suspension3914%
Steering3914%
Electrical System3011%
Fuel System2911%
Brakes259%
Tires & Wheels197%
Transmission135%
Speed Control31%
Body & Structure31%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Lighting21%
Other21%
Airbags21%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 2005 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

4 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.

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.

“2ND TIME WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT EXHAUST, THEN IT OVERHEATED AND OIL WAS MIXED WITH ANTIFREEZE, STRANDED FOR 5 HOURS, TOWED 18 MILES TO NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP, COST US 4 DAYS IN A HOTEL. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 21, 2007 · fire

“TO BRUCE YORK AND RICHARD BOYD I AM SO THANKFUL SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW FOR A FACT THIS SITUATION WITH THIS STEERING PROBLEM FAR EXCEEDS ANYTHING FORD IS WILLING TO ADMIT. MY CASE; I HAVE OWNED MY 2005 FORD F-350 KING RANCH 4X4, VIN #, SENSE FEBRUARY 11, 2005. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 11, 2005 · crash

“MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THE STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE TRUCK TO RUN INTO A POLE. THE TRUCK IS BEING REPAIRED USING A MUCH STRONGER STEERING BOX BY MY FORD DEALER. THIS IS BEING PAID FOR BY MY INSURANCE CO. EVEN THOW THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 26000 MILES ON IT AND IS UNDER FACTORY WARRENTY. I WILL GET THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 11, 2006 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN FAIL TO START AND ONCE STARTED, BLACK SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2007 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 9, 2006 · fire

2005 Ford F-350 Sd — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford F-350 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 269 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 34 F-350 Sd years. It is one of the F-350 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 F-350 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (60 complaints), suspension (39 complaints), steering (39 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford F-350 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford F-350 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-350 Sd under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-350 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 Sd years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2022, 2008, 2002, 2017, 2010, 2011, 2024, 2023, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2018, 2020. The cleanest record among F-350 Sd years belongs to 1996.

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.