2005 Ford F-350: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 114 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (16% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle stalls while driving and wont start again suddenly while operating. Fuel injectors won't feed fuel line to restart or operate. Occasional start but then stalls continuously until battery dies from trying. Will start when priming the carburetor however will not stay running and stalls out.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2024
“Twice today, traveling at 75mph on highway [XXX] (northbound and then several hours later southbound) just north of Ardmore OK, I experienced a violent shaking of the steering wheel/front wheel shimmy. The vehicle was difficult to control due to the violent shaking that did not stop until the vehicle slowed to approximately 20mph. Once the shaking stopped the vehicle was okay to drive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2024
“My 2005 F350 Diesel Pick up has suffered from the Ford death wobble on and off for the last 15 years. While navigating a left hand corner at speeds over 40 it begins to shake uncontrollably after hitting a small bump or pot hole until speed is reduced to 30mph or less. I have replaced bearings, uppper & lower ball joints, torque arms and other suspension parts without finding a cure.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Multiple times driving the truck at speed limit and hit small bump or a little bumpy part of road triggers the death wobble. Have to almost come to complete stop on highway to stop wobble.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2022
“The all very common issues with the year f350 and the 6.0 l. Engines, are as such. The malfunctioning FICM. THE high and low oil coolers, the inter coolers and head studs. Also leaking break fluid .”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2022
“Oil leaking from more than 4 parts of the engine and was told it's normal for this model. Also, when driving over a bump or uneven pavement the trucks steering and suspension drives out of control.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2022
“When driving 50 mph or above and hitting a bump in the road such as a bridge apron the truck develops an uncontrollable shimmy in the front end. It requires a firm grip from both hands to control the steering and lasts until the truck is slowed to under 20 mph and often until it is completely stopped. Luckily there hasn't been another vehicle in the lanes next to me when this has occurred. If there had been it may have caused an accident. Tires are relatively new and the alignment is spot on. It feels like the same problem I had as a teenager in my 1959 Ford F100 when the king pins were worn.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2021
“Once I get up to 55-60 mph it just shakes really bad, I have had ball joints replaced bought new tires and it still shakes”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2020
“Death wobble. Truck shakes violently when traveling +50 mph, empty, or towing or hauling load in truck bed. Downhill braking is extremely dangerous. Turning while braking is the worst.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-350. The contact stated that the vehicle misfired and caused the steering wheel to seize. Also, while driving various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to immediately stop. The vehicle was taken to formula ford lincoln (4318 middle rd, rutland, vt 05701, (802) 773-9168) where the cam phasers were replaced; however, the failure recurred after 176 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN HARSCO WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS CONTAINING ACCURIDE STEEL RIMS, P/NOS. 203237 AND 203738; ACCURIDE ALUMINUM RIMS, P/N 203712; AND GKN STEEL RIMS, P/N 203688, SOLD AS MODIFICATION EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN 2005-2007 FORD F-250/F-350 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS TO MODIFY TRACK WIDTH OF FRONT AND REAR AXLES. THE RIMS PROVIDED IN THESE WHEEL MODIFICATION GROUPS WEAR THROUGH THE OEM BRAKE LINES.
Remedy: HARSCO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARSCO AT 507-235-7112.
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.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-350 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-350 reliable?
NHTSA has 114 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford F-350. The most complained-about area is steering (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-350 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 82,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Ford F-350 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, air. 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.