NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Ford F-250 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Ford F-250 SD has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 295 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Ford F-250 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2005 Ford F-250 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford F-250 SD, describing incidents dated October 3, 2004 to December 6, 2018.

Most-cited components

Suspension 118 complaints
Steering 67 complaints
Engine 46 complaints
Electrical System 32 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 26 complaints
Service Brakes 19 complaints

Of the 295 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 295 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11156780 · Filed December 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE…
ODI #11071927 · Filed February 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TO BILLINGSLEY FORD LINCOLN…
ODI #11044132 · Filed November 7, 2017
WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES WHILE DIRECTIONAL IS ON THE DIRECTIONALS STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE IN MOTION AND TURNING WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IM WONDERING WHY NHTSA 11V352000 IS ALLOWING FORD TO ONLY REPAIR CERTAIN VINS ESPECIALLY WHEN MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL ARE SPECIFIED IN THE SUMMARY.WITH THE…

Read all 295 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Ford F-250 SD mileage at failure

265 of the 295 complaints on file for the 2005 Ford F-250 SD give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Suspension	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 18,000–50,000 miles	Based on 104 complaints
Steering	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–60,000 miles	Based on 66 complaints
Engine	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–100,000 miles	Based on 41 complaints
Electrical System	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–115,000 miles	Based on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Ford F-250 SD in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA08-007: VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
Closed March 31, 2009
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-057: VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
Closed March 14, 2008

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Steering May Lock Up

NHTSA #20E090000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported December 9, 2020 · Icon Vehicle Dynamics, LLC

Potentially affected: 102 vehicles

Owners notified December 21, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

STEERING COLUMN MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #11V352000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported July 13, 2011 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 26,715 vehicles

Ford campaign 11C18 · Owners notified August 15, 2011

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S SAFETY RECALL NO. 11C18.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION KITS

NHTSA #08E026000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported March 27, 2008 · TRUXXX MANUFACTURING, LLC

Potentially affected: 338 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 08-01BLK · Owners notified April 16, 2008

Defect description

TRUXXX IS RECALLING 338 AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT WELDED 3" LIFT BLOCKS FOR REAR SUSPENSIONS, PART NO. 206073, INCLUDED IN SUSPENSION KIT NOS. 108035 AND 108036, SOLD BETWEEN JULY 26, 2007 AND MARCH 4, 2008, FOR USE ON FORD MY 2005-2008 F-250 SUPERDUTY 4X4 LIGHT TRUCKS. COMPRESSIVE FORCES OF THE WELDED LIFT BLOCKS RESULTING FROM FORESEEABLE AND EXCESS VEHICLE PAYLOADS AS WELL AS OVER-TIGHTENING OF THE U-BOLTS DURING INSTALLATION MAY DISTORT THE BLOCKS, REDUCING THE INTENDED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE U-BOLTS.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW POSSIBLE SHIFTING AND DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT AND AXLE.

Manufacturer remedy

TRUXXX WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS/INSTALLERS AND WILL REPLACE AFFECTED WELDED LIFT BLOCKS WITH EITHER NON-WELDED ALUMINUM OR CAST IRON BLOCKS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRUXXX AT 1-800-381-8320.

Notes

TRUXXX RECALL NO. 08-01BLK.THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION KITS AND HAS NOT RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON FORD MOTOR COMPANY VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ENGINE STALLING

NHTSA #05V270000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported June 10, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 180,104 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S34 · Owners notified July 22, 2005 · Vehicles built September 29, 2003 – May 31, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S34.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FUEL JUMPER LINE

NHTSA #05V266000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported June 9, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 78,675 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S33 · Owners notified June 20, 2005 · Vehicles built August 1, 2004 – May 9, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S33.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Ford F-250 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

295 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford F-250 SD.

Engine

ODI #11156780

Incident: December 6, 2018 · Filed: December 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Steering

ODI #11071927

Incident: February 15, 2007 · Filed: February 9, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TO BILLINGSLEY FORD LINCOLN OF LAWTON (8209 NW QUANAH PARKER TRAILWAY BLDG. 1, LAWTON, OK 73505, (580) 536-3325) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED MANY TIMES AND ADVISED HIM TO LEAVE A MESSAGE AND SPEAK WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD ACTION BULLETIN NUMBER: 09L02 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR, TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11044132

Incident: October 1, 2017 · Filed: November 7, 2017

WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKES WHILE DIRECTIONAL IS ON THE DIRECTIONALS STOP FUNCTIONING WHILE IN MOTION AND TURNING WHICH IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IM WONDERING WHY NHTSA 11V352000 IS ALLOWING FORD TO ONLY REPAIR CERTAIN VINS ESPECIALLY WHEN MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL ARE SPECIFIED IN THE SUMMARY.WITH THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS???

Service Brakes

ODI #10971695

Incident: November 2, 2016 · Filed: April 10, 2017

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY F250, SUPER DUTY 6.0 DIESEL BECAME SLUGGISH AND GAS MILEAGE SUFFERED IMMENSELY. THEN, WITH ONLY 53,000 MILES, MY LEFT REAR DISK BRAKE CALIPER WAS DRAGGING AND STARTED SMOKING. AT MY COST AND ON THE LEFT REAR, I HAD FORD REPLACE THE CALIPER, PADS, BRAKE LINE AND RESURFACE THE ROTORS. ALSO, THE RIGHT REAR ROTOR WAS RESURFACED. AT 54,000, I MAKE A 100 MILE TRIP AND THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER STARTED DRAGGING. I AM NOT SURE HOW TO FIX THIS SINCE NO ONE HAS THE SOLUTION.ADDITIONALLY, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THIS COULD CAUSE TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND A POSSIBLE FIRE RESULTING IN FATALITIES.

Tires

ODI #10894721

Incident: August 6, 2016 · Filed: August 10, 2016

TIRE BEGAN TO SHIMMY, PULLED OVER FOUND NOTHING WRONG, 25 MILES LATER TIRE BLEW AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL. TIRE BELTS DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. SAME TIRE AS NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 15T-061 BUT MANUFACTURED 4 MONTHS PRIOR TO EARLIEST RECALL PRODUCTION DATE.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10817059

Incident: December 9, 2015 · Filed: December 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FICM FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE (FICM) HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Electrical System

ODI #10783327

Incident: October 18, 2015 · Filed: October 19, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS PUSHED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #10759624

Incident: August 21, 2015 · Filed: August 26, 2015

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, JUST LEAVING TOWN I HIT 50 MPH AND THE TRUCK STARTS TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND VIBRATE TILL I SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 40 MPH. I GOT THE NOTICE FROM FORD TELLING ME IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH TIRE PRESSURE. I INFLATED THE TIRES TO THE REQUIRED PRESSURE AND IT ONLY MADE THINGS WORSE. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY REPLACING PARTS IN THE FRONT END OF THIS TRUCK. TIRES ARE NOW JUNK ON THE FRONT END. THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS UNDER INFLATE THE FRONT TIRES TO GAIN BETTER CONTROL AND DRIVE SLOWER. STILL WOBBLES JUST NOT AS BAD. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM I HAVE EVERYDAY.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10702688

Incident: January 10, 2015 · Filed: March 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE ON EACH VISIT. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAULTY FUEL INJECTION CONTROL MODULE AND FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V270000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,576. MA 08/10/15 UPDATED 11/30/2015 *JS

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10671613

Incident: January 1, 2005 · Filed: January 10, 2015

WHEN SPEED CONTROL IS ENGAGED--SOMETIMES WHEN THE DECREASE BUTTON IS PUSHED THE SPEED OF VEHICLE INCREASES. VEHICLE IS 6.0 L DIESEL. THE SAME EVENTS OCCURRED WITH ANOTHER '05 F 250 DIESEL. *TR

Other Ford F-250 SD model years

Check your 2005 Ford F-250 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-250 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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