2005 Ford F-250 SD

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Ford F-250 SD
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford F-250 SD Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1991: 1 complaints 1991 1992: 3 complaints 1993: 4 complaints 1994: 2 complaints 1995: 9 complaints 1996: 11 complaints 1996 1997: 39 complaints 1998: 1 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 288 complaints 2001 2002: 245 complaints 2003: 178 complaints 2004: 254 complaints 2005: 295 complaints 2005 2006: 274 complaints 2006 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: 22 complaints 2016: 10 complaints 2016 2017: 73 complaints 2018: 15 complaints 2019: 9 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 3 complaints 2023: 43 complaints 2024: 34 complaints 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 7 complaints 2026
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
201522
201610
201773
201815
20199
20203
20210
20223
202343
202434
202515
20267

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 23%

23% of complaints: suspension — 68 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
STEERING 22%

22% of complaints: steering — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20140325

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, 20180209

SUSPENSION 16%

16% of complaints: suspension — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
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, 20141218

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, 20171107

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 4%

4% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 13 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2005 — complaint volume: 295
R 20050620 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 05V266000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050722 — electrical system

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 BEGAN

Campaign 05V270000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20071115 — PE (closed 20080314)

VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION

I 20080314 — EA (closed 20090331)

VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION

R 20080416 — equipment

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,

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 AP

Campaign 08E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110815 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 11V352000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201221 — equipment, steering, suspension

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.

Campaign 20E090000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Ford F-250 SD — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (68 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (65 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V266000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V270000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E026000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V352000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20E090000 (equipment, steering, suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2024 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ■ 2006 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

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:front, accounting for 23% 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.