2005 Ford F-250 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 295 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (33% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“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???”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2016
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the contact noticed that the turning signals, brake lights, reverse lights and tail lights malfunctioned. The failure recurred once and the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they informed the contact that the VIN had not been included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 11v352000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-250 sd. While driving between 10 and 25 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v270000 (electrical system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 182,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“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. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-250 sd. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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 ON JULY 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-250 SD by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Ford F-250 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 295 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford F-250 SD. The most complained-about area is suspension (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-250 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 43,500 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Ford F-250 SD have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.