KnownCarProblems2005 Ford F-150 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,112 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford F-150, most often about the visibility and wipers (24% of complaints, typically around 50,500 miles). It is 12th of 27 F-150 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Ford F-150 problems
Visibility and wipers
268 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, sun/moon roof assembly, windshield wiper/washer.
The driver side power window regulator has failed and the window will not roll up. It happened while I was out of town and it was raining. This is a huge safety risk. Apparently, after doing very little research on the internet, there are a lot of folks having the same problems. Not only did this leave my vehicle open…
The cable in the window regulator in my 2005 Ford F-150 completely stripped out. The part is impossible to find, unless I want to pay $330 at the Ford place. I have been unable to find the part anywhere. Many people with 2004-2005 f-150s seem to be having the same problem. Considering I can't fix my window since I…
Engine
228 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to jerk, backfire, and run badly. In addition, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle had to be towed twice. The fuel injectors were cleaned twice and the dealer stated that the catalytic converter…
I have a 2005 Ford F-150 (4.6l v8) and I recently had a spark plug blow out of the engine, for the second time. The first time it cost me $556.50 to repair it. This time it happened in a different cylinder. This time I had my 2year old daughter with me and was stranded along interstate 70 for over an hour. I didn't…
Brakes
119 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages.
Purchased truck new. Had highway speed shudders and vibration. Dealer said this is a common problem and it would go away by its self. On the third visit, they said that they fixed it and we left. Immediately, we turned around because the problem was not fixed. We found that the parking brake was dragging and that what…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. While driving 10 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but it would not move. As a result, the vehicle would not stop and ran a red light. The parking brake was applied and the vehicle finally stopped. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and they stated that the vacuum hose…
Transmission
112 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, manual transmission.
Brakes, rear, leakage of lubricant from real axle through seals to contaminate rear brake rotors, calipers, etc.. This was found by technician at a Ford dealership while truck was in for an oil change. The entire rear end was replaced. It was a matter of time before the brakes would be inoperative. They could not tell…
2005 F-150 driveshaft goes bad prematurely. The middle joint in a 2 piece drive shaft is cheaply made and unserviceable. It causes drivetrain vibration and could fail causing injury to passengers or other drivers though a accident. The part failure is a common occurrence in this vehicle and many have been already…
Air bags
101 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 79,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, on-off switch assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f150. The contact stated that his vehicle was stolen. While driving approximately 80 MPH, the thief crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was injured and a police report was filed. The contact could not provide additional information due to the fact that he was not…
Entered the truck to start the vehicle. I put the key in the ignition and the airbag deployed with no warning. Took it to Ford dealership and had the truck inspected both visual and on the computer. The computer was negative for any signs that would cause the deployment of the airbag. The Ford dealership suggested…
Fuel system
82 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, storage, delivery.
Proceeded to drive out of home driveway onto road, which is gravel and travels immediately downhill. I heard a pop and what sounded like exhaust/compression popping and experienced the engine skipping with slight loss of power. I turned around, as soon as it was safe to do so, and drove back to my own driveway. I…
My 2005 F-150 truck stalled right in front of my house just outside of my driveway, my neighbor and I had to push it in as to not block my street. Luckily it didn't die out on the highway which I was on five minutes before it died out. I was thinking the fuel pump went, but with only 68,000 miles that would not be…
Body and structure
77 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Fordmotor company on the 2005 Ford f150 there has been over 1000 complaints about the actuator on the four wheel drive there is a vacuum switch that operates them water runs down off the cowl contaminating the vac.line causing the actuator to go out therewas a service bulletin put out showing that they new of this…
Frame rusted and cracked, 72,000 miles. I'm the original owner. Note, all other underbody components appear normal for age and miles; though I don't have too much faith in rear drive shaft. Location is in front leaf spring attachment bracket adjacent to fuel tank.
Electrical
73 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, instrument panel.
I have a 2005 Ford f150 truck. The end of december 2009 the driver's side window fell down. It started with the electric window button sticking and ended up all of a sudden falling down. The Ford mechanics said this is not unusual and could happen to all 4 windows. This is not a covered service for repair.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. While the contact was driving approximately 10 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that updates needed to be made to the computer. The updates were made but the failure continued. The failure…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Ford F-150 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: The driver side frontal air bag could inadvertently deploy increasing the risk of injury or loss of vehicle control if occurring while in motion.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln/mercury dealer to have a new clockspring jumper wire installed that incorporates a protective mesh cover. Repairs will be performed free of charge. This safety recall began on some vehicles in march 2011. The recall campaign on the expanded population is expected to begin on or about may 9, 2011. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 f-150 pick up trucks as well as certain model year 2006 lincoln mark lt vehicles. If the clockspring jumper wire comes in contact with the driver side frontal air bag lower horn plate, the wire insulation may become chafed, creating a potential for a short circuit. If this occurs the air bag warning lamp may illuminate indicating that service is required.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Once the brake booster vacuum reserve is depleted, the driver will have foundation brake function, but with increased brake pedal effort. Reduced vehicle braking could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace a rubber hose on the brake booster vacuum supply tube assembly. The recall began on june 27, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling 605,684 my 2005-2006 f-150 and lincoln mark lt vehicles equipped with 5.4l 3-valve engines. The brake booster vacuum supply hose attached to the intake manifold fitting may swell over time and lose retention force. This condition could allow the hose to become detached from the fitting during an intake manifold backfire. Should the hose detach from the intake manifold, several brake applications with power assist will be available before the vacuum reserve is depleted.
Lights: interior lighting
Risk: This error could prevent the antilock brake system (ABS) warning light from illuminating if the ABS module ever became inoperative.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the instrument cluster in these vehicles. The recall began on february 27, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks fail to comply with either the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 105, 'hydraulic and electric brake systems' or fmvss no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' these vehicles were built with a software error in the instrument cluster.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Inadvertent airbag deployment
Summary
Odi opened this investigation based on reports of inadvertent airbag deployment.data provided by ford indicated that the airbag clockspring jumper wire, which is situated inside the steering wheel assembly, was installed in a manner that would allow it to rub (abrade) against a sharp metal edge on the nearby horn plate.because the horn plate is electrically grounded the abrasion of an airbag wire on the sharp edge could cause a short circuit condition.as a result the airbag light may illuminate and/or the airbag may inadvertently deploy.inadvertent deployments are most likely to occur during the airbag system's self-diagnostic test that initiates when the ignition switch is turned on.ford mo
Inadvertent airbag deployment
Summary
Ford reports that the inadvertent airbag deployments are most likely caused by the airbag horn mounting plate's sharp metal edge that eventually can chafe/cut the airbag clockspring jumper wire leading to a short-to-ground condition.one hundred eighty two (182) of the 230 reports were for airbag deployments resulting in 56 injuries with remaining 48 reports for an airbag light illumination condition.injuries include abrasion, contusion and cuts to the arm/hand/face and/or upper body regions.one owner reported a broken tooth and two owners reported being knocked unconscious as a result of the airbag deployment.in addition, my2004 and my2006 f-150 vehicles also contain the same design that res
Loss of brake power-assist
Summary
By letter dated may 5, 2008, ford motor company (ford) notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-208) to address a manufacturing defect in approximately 605,684 model year (my) 2005 and 2006 ford f-150 and lincoln mark lt vehicles originally equipped with the 5.4l displacement, 3-valve per cylinder, v-8 engine.the recalled vehicles were built from july 18, 2004 through may 31, 2006 at the dearborn truck plant; from may 4, 2004 through may 31, 2006 at the kansas city assembly plant; and from april 19, 2004 through may 31, 2006 at the norfolk truck plant.the vehicles were manufactured with the same defective brake booster vacuum supply hose assembly uniq
Questions about the 2005 Ford F-150
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford F-150?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (268 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles); engine (228 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); brakes (119 complaints, typically around 36,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Ford F-150 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 23, 2011 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Ford F-150?
- It is 12th of 27 F-150 model years by number of complaints, with 1,112 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.