MYRModel Year Report

2005 Ford F-250 SD

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Ford F-250 SD
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
295
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

43% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1996 1997: 39 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2005: 295 complaints 2005 295 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 54 complaints 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2011 2012: 57 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2016: 14 complaints 2016 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2020: 11 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 37 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1994 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1997: 39 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 288 complaints 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2005: 295 complaints 2005 295 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 54 complaints 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2012: 57 complaints 2012 2013: 21 complaints 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 14 complaints 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2018 2019: 11 complaints 2020: 11 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 37 complaints 2024 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 8 complaints
1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1993 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1995 1996: 11 complaints 1997: 39 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2001 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2003 2004: 254 complaints 2005: 295 complaints 2005 295 2006: 274 complaints 2007: 54 complaints 2007 2008: 141 complaints 2009: 23 complaints 2009 2010: 32 complaints 2011: 122 complaints 2011 2012: 57 complaints 2013: 21 complaints 2013 2014: 26 complaints 2015: 23 complaints 2015 2016: 14 complaints 2017: 73 complaints 2017 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 11 complaints 2019 2020: 11 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 9 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2023 2024: 37 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints

2005: 295 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19911
19923
19934
19942
19959
199611
199739
19981
1999249
2000233
2001288
2002245
2003178
2004254
2005295
2006274
200754
2008141
200923
201032
2011122
201257
201321
201426
201523
201614
201773
201815
201911
202011
20217
20229
202343
202437
202517
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

43% · 126 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASHINJURY

Steering

23% · 67 reports

Most commonly citing pump and gear box (other than rack and pinion).

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Stopped at a stop sign, accelerated to make left turn,hit either a bump or patch of sand when steering took to left then right and could not get back. Hit a guardrail and landed in ditch. My truck is totaled but luckily I was not severely injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-25

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-09

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing diesel and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

5/13/06 I came home from about a 75 mile drive, pulling a horse trailer in my 2005 F250 6.0 power stroke. I went in the house and less than 10 minutes later, my girlfriend asked why is your truck steaming? I could tell it was smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-05-18

Diesel fumes came out of passenger air vents making myself nautious and sick from CO2 poisoning. Bought it in to the Ford dealer and service manager smelled the problem, said that there might be a problem with the y flange on exhaust manifold.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-06-13

Electrical system

12% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and front underhood.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was heading down my street in my neighborhood and just before the street bends to the left my truck stalled and I lost my power brakes and power steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-12-18

Also filed under Structure

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-07

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Service brakes

6% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

FIRE

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 295 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2005-06-20Fuel system, gasoline05V266000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2005-07-22Electrical system05V270000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2007-11-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-03-14 Violent front end oscillation
  5. I
    2008-03-14Engineering analysisClosed 2009-03-31 Violent front end oscillation
  6. R
    2008-04-16Equipment08E026000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2011-08-15Exterior lighting11V352000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2020-12-21Equipment, steering, suspension20E090000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Ford F-250 SD — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 126 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 67 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V266000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 05V270000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 08E026000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V352000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 20E090000 · Equipment, steering, suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Ford F-250 SD is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford F-250 SD?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford F-250 SD have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.