RoadVitals

2005 Ford F-150 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
6
Reports on file since Oct 5, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 1,112 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Ford F-150. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 1,112 · page 1 of 45

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
Electrical
Filed Jul 18, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 122,180 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 216,350.

NHTSA ID
11674572
Incident
Jul 18, 2025
Mileage
216,350 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 28, 2025

I don't even have 150,000 miles on this thing. I get it serviced regularly. I've used the 4x4 when needed, as I live in the Sierra Nv Mountains area. I don't overdo it, I don't abuse it. One day with "ZERO" Clues or indications my truck popped out of drive into neutral ON ITS OWN I put it back into drive. Then as I tried to accelerate NOTHING, I got a code/msg saying faulty transmission, my O/D kept turning off and on. I pushed it to the side if the road. I eventually got reverse back, 1st gear, but that's it. And NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. Its Automatically you need a transmission. [XXX]!! You go online and this is happening to TONS of people. Are you saying WE ALL NEED NEW TRANSMISSIONS?? Kinda odd same trucks, same issues on the same part. What's the common denominator here ford??? Your [XXX] transmissions. Figure it out!!! My truck is paid off and I can't even drive the [XXX]. I'm walking because of a [XXX] transmission, on top of paying over 20,000 you want me to dish out another 3grand for your [XXX]?? Nah... Figure it the [XXX] out. Take care of your customers as you should!!! Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. Come on Ford. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11657151
Incident
Apr 11, 2025
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 19, 2025

My electrical fixtures have failed or blinks off and on, on its own.

NHTSA ID
11636851
Incident
Oct 6, 2023
Engine
Filed Nov 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11626719
Incident
Nov 21, 2024
Mileage
190,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 23, 2024

Issues with transmission/ over drive snap ring vehicle only has 145,000 miles. This truck has many complaints and many failures and flaws that need fixed.

NHTSA ID
11621430
Incident
Oct 23, 2024
Filed Jun 4, 2024

The DMV has a extended warranty coverage on the fuel injectors .. coming up a recall at DMV. What do I do.

NHTSA ID
11592517
Incident
May 24, 2024
Suspension
Filed Mar 3, 2024

Nothing has happened yet but frame of truck is rusting apart and suspension is going to fall off. This is not just this truck it’s lots of 04-06 f150

NHTSA ID
11575169
Incident
Mar 3, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2024

Frame started rusting through frame the inside out, first discovered in 2021. I had to have the frame repaired with no help from Ford in October of 2022

NHTSA ID
11571312
Incident
Dec 11, 2021
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 7, 2024

Frame on passenger and drive side by transmission, fuel tank, and rear leaf springs are rusted and have no integrity left. No structure integrity if in an accident. If fractures completely, will loose control of vehicle as the bed will contact cab, driveshaft will jamb into transmission, lock up brakes from pinched brake lines, loss of brakes from severed brake lines, lose control and go into on coming traffic or into roadside structures including pedestrians. NOTE: Your system will not let me upload pictures.

NHTSA ID
11564033
Incident
Dec 29, 2023
Airbags
Filed Dec 18, 2023

No incident FAR SOME REASON MY AIR BAG LIGT STAY ON

NHTSA ID
11560586
Incident
Dec 17, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Aug 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that when he had the vehicle serviced that the independent mechanic informed him that the front and rear frame of the vehicle was rusted and he should not be driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance but did inform the contact to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11536319
Incident
Aug 1, 2023
Mileage
170,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal fuel odor. Additionally, the contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11532998
Incident
Jun 15, 2023
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 9, 2023

the whole frame is rusting out and the bed dipped and looks like it will fold in half.

NHTSA ID
11521101
Incident
Nov 10, 2022
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 6, 2023

Pulled out of driveway and made it 50 feet and whole truck shut down right on the road. Could not make the vehical restart no click or anything dead right where it stopped. Could of caused an accident. Had to have truck taken to a shop they took a week to find out that the electrical fuel system harness had a dead short in it. So no fuel going to the feul injectors or to the key to start the vehical. Still have head lights and breaks and radio. Just no way to restart the vehical. They checked thw wires and after unplugging many wires to the fuel system and retesting it started. Left with the truck a day later the same thing happen but this time i had to jump a curb to avoid an accident and coasted into a parking lot. I got out and wiggled a few of the wires and the truck started back up. I made it back to where i was staying only 2 blocks up the road and it died in the parking lot in a stall. That has been over 3 weeks and cant find the parts to fix it even by talking to ford shops. There not able to get this harness due to they have been discontinued...truck has low miles on it and now i dont know what to DO. This is my daily driver for WORK. This shouldnt of happened with the wires being wrapped even the mechanic who has his own shop but also works for Ford as a mechanic he has seen this before and now having problems getting parts. I hope you can help with this matter. Due to its very disturbing to myself when its in good shape and was taken care of and NOW cant get parts..

NHTSA ID
11520789
Incident
Apr 7, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Apr 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the bed of the truck was lower than usual. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and became aware of rust underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was rusted and that the sub frame was cracking and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle needed to be inspected. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under recall and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11519249
Incident
Apr 13, 2023
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the subframe was severely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ID
11517030
Incident
Apr 13, 2023
Mileage
114,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 19, 2023

The undercarriage and frame is rusted .Ford said it was not under warranty and the truck was unsafe to drive. Most of the rust is mainly at the rear of truck and if the truck was hit in the rear it would be very unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID
11512628
Incident
Mar 19, 2023
Mileage
188,083 mi

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.

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