2005 Ford F-250 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2005 Ford F-250 has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 439 complaints, led by suspension/wheels/tires (171, 39%) and steering (106, 24%), plus 5 recalls including a 6.0L diesel stalling issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 F-250 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 439
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Top 2005 Ford F-250 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires171 (39%)
- Steering106 (24%)
- Engine98 (22%)
- Electrical System46 (10%)
- Fuel System45 (10%)
- Brakes31 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain30 (7%)
- Structure & Body20 (5%)
- Other12 (3%)
- Airbags1 (0%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front tires have blown out or shredded at highway speed, sometimes causing the vehicle to veer into oncoming traffic or roll over.
- Owners describe a violent front-end shimmy or shake triggered by hitting a small pothole or dip at 55 mph or higher.
- Some trucks with 6.0L diesel engines have caught fire or produced smoke and bubbling hood paint after driving.
- The engine has bucked, lost power, or refused to shift properly, with some owners reporting the motor failed after a related repair attempt.
- Sudden stalling at low speed has been reported, in one case leading to a crash traced to the fuel injector control module.
- A transmission case has cracked on top, leaking fluid onto the exhaust system without any reported abuse.
2005 Ford F-250 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V352000Jul 13, 2011Electrical System26,715 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 09V026000Jan 26, 2009Other108 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 09V025000Jan 23, 2009Other111 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
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.
Risk: 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.
2005 compared with other F-250 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford F-250 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005 F-250 carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of the F-250.
- What is the top problem area for the 2005 Ford F-250?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 171 complaints, 39% of all complaints, and 4 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 35,000 miles.
- Does the 2005 Ford F-250 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 F-250, including a 6.0L diesel engine stalling issue and a fuel jumper line defect on 5.4L/6.8L gasoline engines.
- How does the 2005 F-250 compare to other years?
- The 2005 model (index 50, Caution) is less problematic than 2006, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, which all carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 75 or higher, but worse than years like 2013 (index 0, Best) and 2009 (index 10, Good).