RoadVitals

2005 Ford F-150

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1,112
Latest May 26, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
14
Latest Feb 23, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
79
57 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1,112 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Ford F-150, most frequently naming the visibility, engine and brakes categories. 14 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 95 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

14 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 23, 2011
1,325,000 units potentially affected
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES. IF THE CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG LOWER HORN PLATE, THE WIRE INSULATION MAY BECOME CHAFED, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. IF THIS OCCURS THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT SERVICE IS REQUIRED.
The risk: THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL IF OCCURRING WHILE IN MOTION.
The remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND INSTRUCT THEM TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A FORD OR LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER TO HAVE A NEW CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE INSTALLED THAT INCORPORATES A PROTECTIVE MESH COVER. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SOME VEHICLES IN MARCH 2011. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THE EXPANDED POPULATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 11S18View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA10001ClosedEngineering Analysis

Inadvertent airbag deployment

Opened Jan 13, 2010
Closed Apr 25, 2011

ODI opened this investigation based on reports of inadvertent airbag deployment.Data provided by Ford indicated that the airbag clockspring jumper wire, which is situated inside the steering wheel assembly, was installed in a manner that would allow it to rub (abrade) against a sharp metal edge on the nearby horn plate.Because the horn plate is electrically grounded the abrasion of an airbag wire on the sharp edge could cause a short circuit condition.As a result the airbag light may illuminate and/or the airbag may inadvertently deploy.Inadvertent deployments are most likely to occur during the airbag system's self-diagnostic test that initiates when the ignition switch is turned on.Ford modified the vehicle design in late January 2006 adding a protective tape over the sharp metal edge of the horn plate.Ford made additional design changes on MY 2007 vehicles to the horn plate, the clockspring jumper, and the connector layouts to further address this issue.ODI identified 318 deployment incidents with 121 alleged injury reports from subject vehicles.All but one of the incident and injury reports occurred in vehicles built before the January 2006 modification.In addition, there was one incident and alleged injury reported in the MY 2006 Mark LT vehicles that share the same design. In letters dated February 21 and April 11, 2011, Ford announced a recall of all of the approximately 1.3 million MY 2004-2006 F-150 vehicles built prior to January 24, 2006, the date the initial vehicle modification was made.In addition, approximately 14,000 MY 2006 Mark LT vehicles built prior to January 24, 2006 will also be recalled.Vehicles built after that date, which contain the modification, are not within the recall scope.Accordingly the investigation is closed.

AIR BAGSLed to recall 11V107000
PE09046ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Sep 24, 2009
Closed Jan 19, 2010

FORD REPORTS THAT THE INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE AIRBAG HORN MOUNTING PLATE'S SHARP METAL EDGE THAT EVENTUALLY CAN CHAFE/CUT THE AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE LEADING TO A SHORT-TO-GROUND CONDITION.ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY TWO (182) OF THE 230 REPORTS WERE FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS RESULTING IN 56 INJURIES WITH REMAINING 48 REPORTS FOR AN AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION CONDITION.INJURIES INCLUDE ABRASION, CONTUSION AND CUTS TO THE ARM/HAND/FACE AND/OR UPPER BODY REGIONS.ONE OWNER REPORTED A BROKEN TOOTH AND TWO OWNERS REPORTED BEING KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.IN ADDITION, MY2004 AND MY2006 F-150 VEHICLES ALSO CONTAIN THE SAME DESIGN THAT RESULTED IN AN ADDITIONAL 89 REPORTS WITH 37 AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS AND NINE INJURIES. FORD MADE AN INTERIM DESIGN CHANGE TO THE HORN MOUNTING PLATE IN JANUARY 2006 AND THEN MAJOR CHANGES TO THE HORN MOUNTING PLATE, AIRBAG MODULE AND CLOCKSPRING JUMPER WIRE DESIGNS IN JUNE 2006 FOR THE MY2007 VEHICLES.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA10-001) TO INCLUDE MY2004-2006 F-150 VEHICLES AND TO FURTHER EVALUATE THE CONDITION.

AIR BAGSLed to recall 11V107000
PE08001ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

LOSS OF BRAKE POWER-ASSIST

Opened Jan 8, 2008
Closed May 9, 2008

BY LETTER DATED MAY 5, 2008, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-208) TO ADDRESS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN APPROXIMATELY 605,684 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 AND 2006 FORD F-150 AND LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH THE 5.4L DISPLACEMENT, 3-VALVE PER CYLINDER, V-8 ENGINE.THE RECALLED VEHICLES WERE BUILT FROM JULY 18, 2004 THROUGH MAY 31, 2006 AT THE DEARBORN TRUCK PLANT; FROM MAY 4, 2004 THROUGH MAY 31, 2006 AT THE KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY PLANT; AND FROM APRIL 19, 2004 THROUGH MAY 31, 2006 AT THE NORFOLK TRUCK PLANT.THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY UNIQUE TO THE 5.4L V-8 ENGINE.FORD F-150 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONALLY AVAILABLE 4.2L V6 AND 4.6L V-8 ENGINES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL ACTION BECAUSE THEY UTILIZE A DIFFERENT, ONE-PIECE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY THAT DOES NOT EXHIBIT AN APPARENT DEFECT TREND. THE RECALLED VEHICLES UTILIZE A TWO-PIECE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY COMPRISED OF A STANDPIPE ASSEMBLY AND VACUUM HOSE.THE STANDPIPE ASSEMBLY ATTACHES TO A FITTING ON THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD UTILIZING A FLEXIBLE RUBBER HOSE AND PLASTIC ELBOW.THE VACUUM HOSE ATTACHES TO THE OPPOSITE END OF THE STANDPIPE ASSEMBLY AND CONNECTS TO A CHECK VALVE FITTING AT THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.ACCORDING TO FORD, THE PORTION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY ATTACHED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MAY SWELL OVER TIME AND LOSE RETENTION FORCE, WHICH MAY ALLOW THE HOSE TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.SHOULD THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY BE DISRUPTED, APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY DEPLETE THE VACUUM RESERVE AND CONSEQUENTLY RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE POWER-ASSIST. TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT, FORD WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED DESIGN BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY THAT UTILIZES A HOSE CLAMP AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ATTACHMENT. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR ALL RECALLED VEHICLES.LATER PRODUCTION FORD F-150 AND LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER MAY 2006 WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A HOSE CLAMP AT THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE/INTAKE MANIFOLD ATTACHMENT AND ARE NOT AFFECTED. TO DATE, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AWARE OF 324 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS AND 14 NON-INJURY CRASHES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF 4,465 SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED ONE OR MORE WARRANTY CLAIMS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE ACTION TAKEN BY FORD IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSISTLed to recall 08V208000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed May 26, 2026
Fire reported

My sister's 2008 Hyundai Elantra burned completely nothing left my truck was parked next to it it also burned the entire driver's side It was ruled an accident by fire department but progressive has turned down any claim from me the said since there was no one at fault even though her car burned my truck it's my problem

NHTSA ID
11739978
Incident
Apr 13, 2026
Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2025
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact pulled the vehicle into a Home Depot parking lot, exited the vehicle, and discovered that the engine compartment was on fire. The Home Depot employees came out to the vehicle and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The Fire Department and Police Department were contacted; however, the contact was unsure if a report was filed for either department. The orgin of the fire was not confirmed however, the fire department informed that timing was critical because any longer the fire would have caused an explosion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 360,000.

NHTSA ID
11704240
Incident
Nov 26, 2025
Mileage
360,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2025

customer states that the frame of the vehicle has been compromised by corrosion. the vehicle only has 163,844 miles on it and it has major holes in the frame. The chassis could break in half prohibiting the use of this vehicle on the roadway due to the safety of occupants. I advised the customer of this of which they bought a frame repair kit (Pre-cut over frame c-channel steel) to weld onto the frame to support a longer lifespan. The truck is now safe for the roadway.

NHTSA ID
11696954
Incident
Nov 1, 2025
Engine
Filed Oct 31, 2025

Spark plug blew out no check enginge lite until after coil an plugs replaced now motor has a knocking sound 5/23 not 1969 like date happended onlys puts down even if i select present day

NHTSA ID
11696761
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
Filed Sep 8, 2025

While changing the spark plugs 7 of the eight broke off in the engine block, the threaded section came out but the ceramic bottom portion is what broke. I find that this is somewhat common because Auto Zone rents a spark plug extractor specifically for this. My safety isn’t at risk. Problem not reported to a dealership yet. No inspection yet. The check engine light was on

NHTSA ID
11685649
Incident
Sep 5, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact shifted the gear shifter into park and turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle rolled backwards again. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspecting under the hood, the contact became aware that the shifter cable had melted. The contact purchased a new shifter cable and replaced the shifter cable. The vehicle was started and driven to the residence. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred at night, which was dangerous for being on the side of the road. The contact stated that the shifter cable had melted again within 12 hours. The contact stated that the failure was the result of a design flaw. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

NHTSA ID
11683922
Incident
Aug 28, 2025
Mileage
260,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 25, 2025

My airbag light is on and the dealership says I have no active recalls but when I ask about recall number 11V-107 no one can confirm the when and where for this recall. I would like it repaired at no cost and the criteria of this recall number.

NHTSA ID
11676188
Incident
Apr 1, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Jul 19, 2025

This is an extended cab - 4 door - the rear doors are half doors with a a handle allowing entry and exit to and from the rear passenger seats. (It is not a crew cab 4 door). The doors LOCKED and the handles failed with a child in the rear seat. THe doors cannot be opened. The child and his mother had to climb over the center console to exit the vehicle. THe vehicle is at a mechanic who states no part are available to repair this faulty and unsafe door mechanism. Both rear doors are LOCKED. QUalified mechanic estimates the cost to rig a fix, in absence of any left door mechanism parts will be near or over $500.00. THe mechanic reports that the control cables from the handles to the door latch stretched and failed. If there had been a collision or engine fire, rear seated passengers would be trapped inside the vehicle. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED and REPAIRED BY FORD.

NHTSA ID
11674785
Incident
Jul 7, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 51536

STRUCTURE

For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using the correct VIN.

TSB 20-2233

STRUCTURE

This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.

DOR-N3Z7B-03

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough that it prevents installation of the OE dipstick.

SSM 48157

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2002-2008 F-Super Duty, F-150 and Mark LT vehicles may exhibit concern during or after programing the VSM. The programming may fail or vehicle symptoms such as inoperative door locks, dome lamps, door ajar indicators or auto lamps may occur after successful programing. To ensure the VSM is configured correctly, use the Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) scan tool and select the blue ball and socket icon in the upper left corner. Select the utility knife in the bottom left corner. Select Update/Special Function and enter 53061 in the blue box then press the tick mark. The screen will go back to the system utilities page. Navigate to the toolbox tab and run the Programmable Module Installation (PMI) on the VSM. The procedure will prompt you to manually enter the as-built into the VSM. Obtain the as-built data from PTS > OASIS > As-Built.

TSB 19-2026

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition

TSB 19-2026

STRUCTURE

Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-150 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026410
202510012062.6
202418310068.1
202339612060.7
202257423268.2
202197429163.2
202070911164.2
20191,3029164.0
20182,26519266.3
20171,40118370.1
20162,01014467.5
20151,67114568.3
20141,5158262.6
20132,9703361.0
20121,7764458.8
20112,1846458.8
20108421042.6
20093242050.5
20083681151.0
20074887159.4
200658514263.9
2005Viewing1,11214362.1
20042,02816460.6
200342211366.8
200282110366.2
20011,23619670.9
20001,07417474.6
19991,04418565.6
19981,381181165.5
19972,758261866.9
19963247267.6
19956267164.4
199467613266.4
199358613260.0
19924709867.2
199130461268.8
199027551168.3
19892244567.8
19881392670.4
1987913271.1
1986611461.0
1985281260.8
1984151255.9
1983101159.8
1982500
1981230
1980340
19792100
19784100
1977360
1976020
1975140
1973010
1968100
1966100
1955100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.