NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Ford F-350 SD Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Ford F-350 SD has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 217 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-350 SD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2005 Ford F-350 SD owner complaints

Owners have filed 217 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford F-350 SD, describing incidents dated October 19, 2004 to February 24, 2019.

Most-cited components

Engine 56 complaints
Steering 38 complaints
Suspension 38 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 29 complaints
Electrical System 28 complaints
Service Brakes 22 complaints

Of the 217 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 8 a fire; across all 217 complaints, owners report 4 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11182761 · Filed February 27, 2019
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-85 IN NORTH GA ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH TRAVELING 65MPH. REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD FLIES OFF. TRUCK ROCKS AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE. ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND MOVE TO EMERGENCY LANE. TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE PEELED APART LIKE A BANANA. *DT*JB
ODI #11124008 · Filed September 2, 2018
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES NOW AND TO MY PREGNANT WIFE 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP! VERY SCARY AND A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. EXTREMELY…
ODI #10909134 · Filed July 18, 2017
2005 FORD F-350. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE. *SMD ATTORNEY SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD UPDATED 07/18/2017 *JS

Read all 217 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Ford F-350 SD mileage at failure

198 of the 217 complaints on file for the 2005 Ford F-350 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
Engine	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–90,000 miles	Based on 45 complaints
Steering	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–70,000 miles	Based on 35 complaints
Suspension	Median 35,000 miles	Middle half 12,000–65,000 miles	Based on 37 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-350 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> .

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-350 SD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

217 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford F-350 SD.

Tires

ODI #11182761

Incident: February 24, 2019 · Filed: February 27, 2019

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-85 IN NORTH GA ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH TRAVELING 65MPH. REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD FLIES OFF. TRUCK ROCKS AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE. ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND MOVE TO EMERGENCY LANE. TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE PEELED APART LIKE A BANANA. *DT*JB

Steering

ODI #11124008

Incident: August 31, 2018 · Filed: September 2, 2018

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP AT 65MPH AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 TIMES NOW AND TO MY PREGNANT WIFE 3 TIMES IN ONE TRIP! VERY SCARY AND A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AT 60MPH+ OR ANY SPEED REALLY.

Engine

ODI #10909134

Fire

Incident: February 13, 2016 · Filed: July 18, 2017

2005 FORD F-350. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE. *SMD ATTORNEY SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD UPDATED 07/18/2017 *JS

Steering; Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #10824888

Incident: November 25, 2015 · Filed: February 8, 2016

I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE BACK ROAD AROUND 45 TO 50 MPH, AND MY TRUCK STARTED VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING. I WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING, AND HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES HARD TO GET THE SHAKING TO STOP. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 ON A CITY STREET AND 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THIS IS KNOWN AS DEATH WOBBLE. THE WOBBLE WAS SO BAD THAT IT LOOSENED THE TRACK BAR AND THE BOLT HOLDING THE POWER STEERING HARD LINE. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING FLUID WITHIN SECONDS. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT, TRIED REPLACING SEVERAL PARTS, LIKE TIE-RODS, AND IT HAS LESSENED A LITTLE BIT, BUT IF I HIT A BUMPY ROAD OR EVEN JUST A PATCH OF NEW PAVEMENT, IT STARTS SHAKING. I HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR TRUCKS.

Engine

ODI #10786465

Incident: March 11, 2014 · Filed: October 27, 2015

THE HEAD BOLTS HAVE A KNOWN DEFECT, WHICH FORD FILED A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE ENGINE MANUFACTURE NOVASTAR FOR AND WON. THIS DEFECT/WEAKNESS CAN CAUSE THE BOLTS TO FAIL/BREAK CAUSING MANY COMPONENTS TO BECOME DAMAGED. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY TO THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALL BECAUSE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH ALL OF THE 6.0 DIESEL ENGINES IN THIS YEAR/MODEL ARE AFFECTED.

Electrical System

ODI #10786312

Incident: September 4, 2015 · Filed: October 27, 2015

VEHICLE STALL/DIE WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES, UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NO POWER AT ALL. HAVE A RECALL NUMBER 05S34, BUT FORD DEALERSHIP WON'T REPAIR IT BECAUSE MY VIN ISN'T ON RECALL. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

Tires

ODI #10764486

Crash 1 injury

Incident: September 13, 2015 · Filed: September 17, 2015

TIRE FAILURE CAUSING ACCIDENT WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE AND MINOR INJURIES. TIRE WAS THE FRONT LEFT TIRE ON A 2005 FORD F350 4X4 SRW. TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL TOY HAULER TRAILER. TRAILER IS 25' LONG WITH AN APPROXIMATE EMPTY WEIGHT OF 5500 LBS. ALSO IN THE TRAILER WERE PERSONAL EFFECTS INCLUDING ONE MOTORCYCLE WITH AN APPROXIMATE WEIGHT OF 550 LBS. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AT 76 PSI COLD 3 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE 70S TO LOW 80S. SPEED OF VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 60-65 MPH. APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PRIOR TO INCIDENT, A STOP WAS MADE FOR FUEL WITH DRIVER DOING A WALK AROUND VISUAL INSPECTION WITH NO DEFECTS NOTED. LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW WITH NO ADVANCED WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY INTO THE MEDIAN. VEHICLE JACK-KNIFED AND OVERTURNED TO ITS RIGHT SIDE. GUARD RAIL STOPPED VEHICLE FROM ENTERING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER OVERTURNED ONTO ITS RIGHT SIDE. OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE, ONE ADULT MALE DRIVER AND ONE ADULT FEMALE PASSENGER SELF EXTRICATED VIA THE BACK WINDOW. DRIVER UNINJURED. PASSENGER NOTED MINOR CUTS, 'ROAD RASH', BRUISES AND PAIN TO LEFT WRIST. BOTH OCCUPANTS REFUSED TREATMENT AND TRANSPORT BY EMERGENCY RESPONDING UNITS. UPON INSPECTION, IT APPEARS, TO THE OPINION OF THE DRIVER, THAT THE TIRE FAILED AT THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE BEAD CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR AND SUBSEQUENT DELAMINATION OF TIRE STRUCTURE. THE TRUCK AND FIFTH WHEEL WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE FEMALE PASSENGER CONTINUES TO MONITOR INJURIES WITH NO MEDICAL ATTENTION SOUGHT AT THIS TIME. TRUCK AND TRAILER WAS TOWED BY A LOCAL SALVAGE AND RECOVERY COMPANY TO THEIR YARD. TRUCK AND TRAILER WERE RELEASED BY THE DRIVER/OWNER TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR INSPECTION, ALTHOUGH HE MAINTAINS OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLES.

Wheels

ODI #10750158

Incident: August 1, 2015 · Filed: August 20, 2015

THIS HAS TO DO WITH 19.5" WHEELS MANUFACTURED BY VISION WHEEL,SPECIFICALLY WHEEL # 81A-9770MBO. ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL THERE IS A RELIEF MACHINED AROUND EACH LUG HOLE THAT IS ABOUT 1/8"DEEP X 3/4" IN DIA. WHETHER THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN OR A FLAW I AM NOT SURE,BUT PREVIOUS WHEELS OF THE SAME MODEL NO. DO NOT HAVE THIS AND ARE FLAT ON THE BACK. SHOULD THE LUGS NUTS BE OVER TIGHTENED IT CRACKS THE RIM AROUND THE LUG HOLE AND STARTS TO PULL THROUGH. I FOUND THIS SHORTLY AFTER I GOT MY TRUCK BACK FROM THE TIRE SHOP AND WAS LOOKING AT THE NEW WHEELS.IT IS NOT READILY NOTICEABLE AND WAS JUST LUCK THAT I SAW IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN ANY TIME A WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF FOR SOME SERVICE OR ANOTHER. IF THE WHEEL LUG NUTS GET OVER TORQUED THIS OCCURS. THESE WHEELS ARE USED PRIMARILY BY PEOPLE THAT CARRY HEAVY LOADS AS THE 19.5 TIRES AFFORD BETTER STABILITY. SHOULD SOMEONE NOT BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LOOSING A TIRE. THIS COULD BE RESOLVED SIMPLY BY NOT MACHINING THE BACK OF THE WHEEL AS WAS NOTED ABOVE. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A HAZARD. CONTACT INFO CAN BE OBTAINED HERE: HTTP://WWW.VISIONWHEEL.COM/CONTACT.CFM

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10691382

Incident: March 1, 2015 · Filed: March 1, 2015

FOR THE PAST WEEK MY TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKING LONGER TO START THEN NORMAL TODAY IT STARTED TO STALL ON MY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME WHILE IT STALLED 4 MORE TIMES ON THE WAY. SHOPPED AT A FRIENDS SHOP ON THE WAY HOME AND HAD THEM SCAN THE COMPUTER FOUND OUT MY FICM IS NO GO MY IPR IS BAD AND MY STC FITTING IS BAD THEY FOUND THE STC WHEN THEY PULLED THE TURBO ASWELL AS MY DUMMY PLUGS. *TR

Engine

ODI #10680920

Incident: February 3, 2015 · Filed: February 3, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,723.

Other Ford F-350 SD model years

Check your 2005 Ford F-350 SD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford F-350 SD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Ford VIN