VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford F-550 Sd problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 41 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.2 times the median F-550 Sd year — the 2005 model ranks #5 of 34 F-550 Sd years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: fuel system issues account for 51% of all reports (21 of 41), far ahead of engine at 8.

41

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other F-550 Sd years?

See all F-550 Sd years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford F-550 Sd problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2151%
Engine820%
Electrical System512%
Tires & Wheels37%
Transmission25%
Brakes12%
Speed Control12%

Does the 2005 Ford F-550 Sd 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.

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.

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.

05V135000SteeringApril 6, 2005 · 481 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE SOME GEARS WITH A GEAR PISTON THAT WAS ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT RE-CIRCULATING BALL TUBE RETAINER. AN INCORRECT RETAINER MAY RESULT IN AN IMPROPERLY RETAINED RE-CIRCULATING BALL TUBE, WHICH MAY NOT KEEP THE RE-CIRCULATING BALLS IN PLACE DURING STEERING GEAR ACTUATION.

Consequence

IF THE RE-CIRCULATING BALLS BECOME DISLODGED A VEHICLE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE NOISE AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORTS THAT MAY EVENTUALLY PROGRESS TO IMPAIRED STEERING OR POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR FOR A SPECIFIC DATE CODE AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND IT STARTED TO LOSE POWER LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK JUST SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T GET THE TRUCK TO RESTART AT ALL. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. WHEN I LOOKED IN TO THE FUEL TANK I FOUND THE INSIDE OF IT WAS PEELING APART. I CHECKED THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 31, 2013

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-550. SHE STATED THAT ON JUNE 1, 2010, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND CONTACT HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE COOLANT FLUIDS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BECAUSE IT WAS NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 1, 2010

TRUCK STALLED I CHECK IT FUEL PUMP HAD STOP WORKING TOOK TO DEALER, NEXT TIME THE FICM WENT BAD I REPLACED IT DROVE GOOD FOR 1500 OR SO MILES THEN PROBLEMS AGAIN FORD SAID FUEL TANK RUSTING CAUSING FICM TO GO BAD AND CLOG INJECTORS FORD FIXED I ASKED ABOUT USE OF COOLENT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 9, 2010

WE ARE GETTING REPORTS THAT FORD F550 TRUCKS ARE LOSING THEIR DUAL TIRES BECAUSE OF BROKEN LUG BOLTS ON THE REAR DUALS. THESE ARE APPARENTLY HAPPENING ON OLDER MODELS THAT HAVE HAD EIGHT BOLT PATTERNS. I AM FORWARDING THIS INFORMATION ON BEHALF OF SEVERAL ELECTRIC UTILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 1, 2006

ON 2005 FORD F-550, THE REAR AXLE SEAL IN PASSENGER SIDE LEAKS. BRAKES ARE COATED WITH GEAR OIL WHEN HIS OCCURS. FORD TSB # 05124 HAS BEEN DONE BUT DOES NOT WORK. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD FOUR REPAIRS ( 3 SEAL REPLACEMENTS AND 1 ATTEMPT AS PER TSB ) AND ALL HAVE FAILED. TRUCK HAS @ 24,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 1, 2009

2005 Ford F-550 Sd — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford F-550 Sd reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 41 complaints put the 2005 model at #5 of 34 F-550 Sd years. It is one of the F-550 Sd years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 F-550 Sd problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (21 complaints), engine (8 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford F-550 Sd have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford F-550 Sd. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Ford F-550 Sd years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the F-550 Sd years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2015, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2019, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among F-550 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.