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2005 Ford F-250 SDProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 295 owner complaints about the 2005 Ford F-250 SD, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

48
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the F-250 SD median · #6 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints29520 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage30kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 7, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Ford F-250 SD has problems

295 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension1184
Steering675
Engine and engine cooling374
Electrical system322
Power train163
Fuel system, diesel151
Service brakes, hydraulic121
Engine100
Vehicle speed control101
15 other systems525

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2005 Ford F-250 SD recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 05V-266 · Jun 9, 2005 · 78,675 vehicles

Risk. THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE AT THE CONNECTION TO THE MAIN FUEL BUNDLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

30kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 105 suspension complaints. 95% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
49under 30k miles100under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other F-250 SD year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the F-250 SD median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Ford F-250 SD, and the recalls they led to.

  1. VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATIONEA08007 · closed Mar 31, 2009
    No recall
  2. VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATIONPE07057 · closed Mar 14, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What F-250 SD owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10759624 · Aug 26, 2015 · 112,000 miles
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. DOING THE BEST I COULD I TURNED THE WHEEL JUST ENOUGH TO AVOID THE CAR PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET THEN I PROCEEDED TO RUN THROUGH MY…
Complaint 10667185 · Dec 18, 2014 · 344,000 miles
WHEN EVER THE TRUCK GOES OVER SOMETHING LIKE AN BULGED EXPANSION JOINT OR A POT HOLE WITH SPEED IN EXCESS OF 40-45, IT WILL REACT VIOLENTLY. OFTEN THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE OVER A FOOT OR TWO(DEPENDING ON THE SPEED OF THE TRUCK) IN THE LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE BOUNCING/SHAKING OF THE FRONT WHEELS IS OVER…
Complaint 10567363 · Mar 4, 2014 · 10,000 miles

Own a 2005 F-250 SD?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.