VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford F-350 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 170 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median F-350 year — the 2005 model ranks #17 of 53 F-350 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (37), engine (35), and steering (28), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

170

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other F-350 years?

F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted729 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 2 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 3 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 34 complaints1989: 55 complaints1990: 63 complaints1991: 34 complaints1992: 74 complaints1993: 129 complaints1994: 126 complaints1995: 191 complaints1996: 167 complaints1997: 188 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 531 complaints2000: 367 complaints2001: 181 complaints2002: 140 complaints2003: 100 complaints2004: 216 complaints2005: 170 complaints2006: 206 complaints2007: 56 complaints2008: 176 complaints2009: 55 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 204 complaints2012: 252 complaints2013: 110 complaints2014: 150 complaints2015: 289 complaints2016: 290 complaints2017: 729 complaints2018: 304 complaints2019: 721 complaints2020: 234 complaints2021: 119 complaints
F-350 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all F-350 years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System3722%
Engine3521%
Steering2816%
Suspension2515%
Electrical System1911%
Brakes74%
Transmission53%
Tires & Wheels42%
Other32%
Speed Control21%
Airbags21%
Lighting21%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2005 Ford F-350 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.

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.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

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 F-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DIESEL ENGINE OVERHEATED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED AFTER WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 24, 2010 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DIESEL ENGINE OVERHEATED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED AFTER WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 24, 2010 · fire

“I HAVE A FORD F350 HEAVY DUTY 1 TON, I HAD EXPERIENCED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN TRAVELING WITH SPEED AROUND 50-65 MPH, IF A BUMP (SLIGHT) DIP OR ANY SLIGHT VARIANCE IN ROAD MY TRUCK WILL BEGIN A VIOLENT SHAKE. I HAD RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE OF IMPROPER AIR PRESSURE AND CAUSE AND EFFECT. I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 12, 2009 · crash

“[XXX] who performs automotive work out of his residence [XXX] and [XXX] of [XXX] have worked on this vehicle to spite the customer and to gouge the customer in unnecessary fraudulent repairs. They have deliberately set this vehicle up to fail with the braking system, the 6.0 engine being rebuilt to…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 20, 2021 · crash · fire

“[XXX], [XXX] approx age 40 lives and works at [XXX].[XXX] can also control the computers to cancel out and delete the use of catalytic converters, delete the use of DEF intake, delete the use of DPF particulate filters, and not react to controls such as manual braking or acceleration because the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 13, 2019 · crash · fire

2005 Ford F-350 — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford F-350 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 170 complaints put the 2005 model at #17 of 53 F-350 years. It is one of the F-350 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 F-350 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (37 complaints), engine (35 complaints), steering (28 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford F-350 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford F-350. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Ford F-350 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-350 years to avoid are 2017, 2019, 1999, 2000, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2020, 2004, 2006, 2011, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2005, 1996, 2014, 2002, 1993, 1994, 2021, 2013, 2003. The cleanest record among F-350 years belongs to 2010.

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.