2005 Ford F-450 SD: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 40 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, diesel (30% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look 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 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. While driving 35 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel injection and motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,772.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2015
“Vehicle billowing white smoke when started. Not drivable. Towed to recommended local truck repair company. Much testing including cylinder heads themselves. #7 cylinder pushing coolant. Head gasket showing signs of leaking. Replaced. A month in shop. $4,000 repair bill. Ford needs to take responsibility for frequency of this issue at low mileage. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that while attempting to merge into traffic the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the inside of the fuel tank was delaminating and as a result, the fuel system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“I own two 2005 f450 mason dumps and the fuel tanks in both are flaking apart inside and destroying both of my engines !! The repairs and damage are endless and im sick to hear ford is aware of this and has not made any attempt to notify me. Had I known this was an issue I would have asked them to replace both with an approved plastic tank prior to my lines, injectors, filters and who knows what else getting clogged and destroyed by this flaw. The repair fees and lost wages due to this known problem is a disgrace and I would like to know my options against ford. I currently own 4 ford trucks, will all do the same ?? *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Dec 2012
“I own two 2005 f450 mason dumps and the fuel tanks in both are flaking apart inside and destroying both of my engines !! The repairs and damage are endless and im sick to hear ford is aware of this and has not made any attempt to notify me. Had I known this was an issue I would have asked them to replace both with an approved plastic tank prior to my lines, injectors, filters and who knows what else getting clogged and destroyed by this flaw. The repair fees and lost wages due to this known problem is a disgrace and I would like to know my options against ford. I currently own 4 ford trucks, will all do the same ?? *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the vehicle started to over heat and the check gauges warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that oil had sip into the coolant reservoir. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnose that the oil cooler was defective and needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 111,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate intermittently. The contact removed the fuel tank and noticed that the lining of the fuel tank had started to peel and become mixed with the fuel. The fuel filter was also full of the inside lining of the gas tank. The dealer was notified and admitted there was a problem with the tanks peeling however stated it was the type of fuel the contact was using. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 66,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. The contact was driving 45 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed home and the dealer was notified who informed him to check the fuel filter drain plug and then drain the fuel out. The dealer stated that if he should notice paint flakes, which would be the lamination of the inside of the fuel tank, he would have to replace the fuel tank, pump and clean out the fuel lines. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that the brake lights, turn signals and the hazard lights were inoperable. The dealer advised the contact to replace the wiring harness. The manufacturer informed the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id numbers: 11v352000 (exterior lighting:brake lights) or 11v352000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 121,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2011
“10/5/2010 brighton,mi my truck started to blow white smoke and the engine stopped running while driving down the road. I had it towed to my dealer and was told it has a delamination problem in the fuel tank and the cause was from bio-diesel contamination and I would now need to replace or reseal the tank and install a new fuel pump along with one new injector at a cost of $2643.00 plus tax. I had the repairs done because I need the truck for work I also saved the old parts. Hopefully ford(if they want to sell me another truck in the future) will participate in this repair. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Sep 2010
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN CHASSIS CAB TRUCKS, THE STEERING GEAR MAY HAVE SOME GEARS WITH A GEAR PISTON THAT WAS ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT RE-CIRCULATING BALL TUBE RETAINER. AN INCORRECT RETAINER MAY RESULT IN AN IMPROPERLY RETAINED RE-CIRCULATING BALL TUBE, WHICH MAY NOT KEEP THE RE-CIRCULATING BALLS IN PLACE DURING STEERING GEAR ACTUATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR FOR A SPECIFIC DATE CODE AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AT 1-800-392-3673.
How other years compare
Check your exact F-450 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-450 SD reliable?
NHTSA has 40 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Ford F-450 SD. The most complained-about area is fuel system, diesel (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-450 SD problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 53,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Ford F-450 SD have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. 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.