EQUIPMENT; STEERING; SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
2005 Ford F-250 Sd
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 295 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Ford F-250 Sd, most frequently naming the suspension, steering and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 144 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2009 | 5 | 133 |
| Mar 2009 | 2 | 135 |
| Apr 2009 | 9 | 144 |
| May 2009 | 7 | 151 |
| Jun 2009 | 4 | 155 |
| Jul 2009 | 8 | 163 |
| Aug 2009 | 4 | 167 |
| Sep 2009 | 4 | 171 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 172 |
| Nov 2009 | 2 | 174 |
| Dec 2009 | 1 | 175 |
| Jan 2010 | 5 | 180 |
| Feb 2010 | 5 | 185 |
| Mar 2010 | 7 | 192 |
| Apr 2010 | 5 | 197 |
| May 2010 | 3 | 200 |
| Jun 2010 | 2 | 202 |
| Jul 2010 | 6 | 208 |
| Aug 2010 | 5 | 213 |
| Sep 2010 | 4 | 217 |
| Oct 2010 | 6 | 223 |
| Nov 2010 | 2 | 225 |
| Dec 2010 | 2 | 227 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 228 |
| Feb 2011 | 3 | 231 |
| Mar 2011 | 3 | 234 |
| May 2011 | 3 | 237 |
| Jun 2011 | 4 | 241 |
| Jul 2011 | 3 | 244 |
| Aug 2011 | 4 | 248 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 249 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 250 |
| Nov 2011 | 4 | 254 |
| Dec 2011 | 5 | 259 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 260 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 261 |
| Jun 2012 | 2 | 263 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 264 |
| Sep 2012 | 2 | 266 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 267 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 268 |
| Mar 2013 | 2 | 270 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 271 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 272 |
| Dec 2013 | 2 | 274 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 276 |
| Apr 2014 | 5 | 281 |
| Jul 2014 | 2 | 283 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 284 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 285 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 286 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 287 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 288 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 289 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 290 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 291 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 292 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 293 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 294 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 295 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Suspension11832.2%
- Steering6718.3%
- Engine4612.6%
- Electrical328.7%
- Fuel system267.1%
- Brakes205.5%
- Driver assistance102.7%
- Transmission92.5%
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
5 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.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
EQUIPMENT
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN SURFACE.ODI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THESE COMPLAINTS BECAUSE MANY OF THEM ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURREDAT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR.AT THE TIME THESE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, ODI WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE TSB 07-10-10 AND EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS THAT DISCUSSED THE SHIMMY CONDITION ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.SINCE OPENING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS CONFIRMED, BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, WARRANTY DATA, TESTING CONDUCTED BY VRTC, AND ODI INSPECTION OF COMPLAINT VEHICLES, THAT THE OWNERS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING SHIMMY EVENTS ON THEIR VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI HAS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT OWNERS TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN THEIR TIRES AT THE PRESSURES RECOMMENDED BY FORD ON THE TIRE LABEL.FURTHER, ODI HAS FOUND THAT IN ORDER FOR SHIMMY TO OCCUR, TIRE PRESSURES MUST BE SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW (AT LEAST 20%) THOSE SPECIFIED ON THE VEHICLE TIRE LABEL.ODI CONSIDERS THESE UNSAFE TIRE CONDITIONS TO BE THE RESULT OF ONE OF THREE TYPICAL SITUATIONS.THE TIRES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED, THE OWNERS ARE INTENTIONALLY SETTING THE TIRE PRESSURES LOW TO ENHANCE RIDE QUALITY, OR AFTERMARKET TIRES (NOT DESIGNED FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE) ARE INSTALLED TO CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OR FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE INTENDED AND DESIGNED TO BE USED AS HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND AS SUCH REQUIRE THAT THE TIRES BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE LOADS FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AND MARKETED.IN ORDER FOR THE TIRES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THESE LOADS, THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURE MUST BE MAINTAINED.IN LIGHT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS INVESTIGATION AND FORD'S AGREEMENT TO NOTIFY SUBJECT VEHICLE OWNERS (NOW AND EVERY TWO YEARS UNTIL THE VEHICLES REACH TEN YEARS FROM THEIR PRODUCTION DATE) ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURES ON THEIR VEHICLES, FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
VIOLENT FRONT END OSCILLATION
ODI HAS RECEIVED 78 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF SEVERE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY AND OSCILLATIONS COMMENCING AFTER THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH OR GREATER.THIRTEEN OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THAT THE VEHICLE CHANGED DRIVING LANES UNCONTROLLABLY.FOUR OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY ODI ALLEGE THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE AS A RESULT OF THE VIOLENT SUSPENSION AND STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATIONS.IN ONE CASE THE CONSUMER ALLEGES THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD SURFACE, IT CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA.ADDITIONALFACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPENING OF THIS EA WERE EARLY WARNING FIELD REPORTS,SUBMITTED BY FORD, DESCRIBING SUSPENSION SHIMMY / OSCILLATIONSAND A FORD TSB (07-10-10) DESCRIBING THE SUSPENSION SHIMMY ISSUE AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.FORD HAS DESCRIBED SHIMMY AS SELF-EXCITED OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEELS WITH ACCOMPANYING WHEEL TRAMP.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) TO DETERMINE IF THE SHIMMY CONDITION THAT OCCURS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CREATES A CONDITION WHERE THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL OR STARTLES THE DRIVER, THUS PRESENTING A SAFETY RISK.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11156780
- Incident
- Dec 6, 2018
- Mileage
- 220,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-250 SD. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TO BILLINGSLEY FORD LINCOLN OF LAWTON (8209 NW QUANAH PARKER TRAILWAY BLDG. 1, LAWTON, OK 73505, (580) 536-3325) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED MANY TIMES AND ADVISED HIM TO LEAVE A MESSAGE AND SPEAK WITH THE OWNER OF THE DEALER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED FORD ACTION BULLETIN NUMBER: 09L02 (STEERING: WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR, TIRES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11071927
- Incident
- Feb 15, 2007
- Mileage
- 35,000 mi
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???
- NHTSA ID
- 11044132
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2017
- Mileage
- 43,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10971695
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2016
- Mileage
- 54,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10894721
- Incident
- Aug 6, 2016
- Mileage
- 133,600 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10817059
- Incident
- Dec 9, 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10783327
- Incident
- Oct 18, 2015
- Mileage
- 141,000 mi
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, JUST LEAVING TOWN I HIT 50 MPH AND THE TRUCK STARTS TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND VIBRATE TILL I SLOW DOWN TO UNDER 40 MPH. I GOT THE NOTICE FROM FORD TELLING ME IT ALL HAD TO DO WITH TIRE PRESSURE. I INFLATED THE TIRES TO THE REQUIRED PRESSURE AND IT ONLY MADE THINGS WORSE. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY REPLACING PARTS IN THE FRONT END OF THIS TRUCK. TIRES ARE NOW JUNK ON THE FRONT END. THE ONLY THING I COULD DO IS UNDER INFLATE THE FRONT TIRES TO GAIN BETTER CONTROL AND DRIVE SLOWER. STILL WOBBLES JUST NOT AS BAD. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM I HAVE EVERYDAY.
- NHTSA ID
- 10759624
- Incident
- Aug 21, 2015
- Mileage
- 112,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has replaced all versions of MERCON SP and can be used going forward. Mixing MERCON LV and MERCON SP in the same transmission is acceptable. After 30-Jun-2023, MERCON SP ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes.
EQUIPMENT
Some 2005-2021 F-Super Duty 4x4 vehicles operated in extreme dust, mud or tar sand conditions may exhibit accelerated 4x4 vacuum hub seal and or wheel bearing wear as a result of harsh operating conditions. A knuckle seal shield kit is now available for customer purchase. The kit is designed for severe duty and is non warrantable. The knuckle seal shield kit GC3Z-54024A38-A includes an installation instruction sheet
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; TRAILER HITCHES
These SKUs are Trailer Brake Control Modules. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to an internal software issue. The internal software issue leads to a false check trailer brake message and Trailer Brake Controller fault whenever the brake pedal is pressed. This will cause the part to be replaced, due to repetitive dashboard warning light, even though it sends signals to the trailer brakes properly.
SUSPENSION
Some 2005-2020 F-Super Duty 4x4 vehicles operated in extreme dust, mud or tar sand conditions may exhibit accelerated 4x4 vacuum hub seal and or wheel bearing wear as a result of harsh operating conditions. A knuckle seal shield kit is now available for customer purchase. The kit is designed for severe duty and is non warrantable. The knuckle seal shield kit GC3Z-54024A38-A includes an installation instruction sheet
EQUIPMENT
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product failure.
EQUIPMENT
This SKU is a Spare Tire Hoist. Test results identified that the pull force parameter was not within specification, as a precautionary measure unsold inventory was requested to be returned for testing and containment. We don't have evidence that these test results have contributed to a product failure.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 62.4 |
| 2024 | 37 | 4 | 0 | 59.5 |
| 2023 | 43 | 16 | 0 | 61.0 |
| 2022 | 119 | 17 | 0 | 59.8 |
| 2021 | 162 | 13 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 2020 | 260 | 15 | 3 | 64.7 |
| 2019 | 1,160 | 12 | 3 | 59.6 |
| 2018 | 397 | 10 | 3 | 58.4 |
| 2017 | 1,155 | 15 | 3 | 59.2 |
| 2016 | 287 | 4 | 1 | 56.6 |
| 2015 | 296 | 3 | 2 | 54.4 |
| 2014 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 46.2 |
| 2013 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 39.5 |
| 2012 | 57 | 1 | 1 | 38.2 |
| 2011 | 122 | 1 | 1 | 44.4 |
| 2010 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 38.1 |
| 2009 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 39.7 |
| 2008 | 141 | 2 | 1 | 50.3 |
| 2007 | 54 | 3 | 2 | 52.3 |
| 2006 | 274 | 3 | 2 | 53.8 |
| 2005Viewing | 295 | 5 | 2 | 55.6 |
| 2004 | 254 | 4 | 3 | 60.9 |
| 2003 | 178 | 6 | 5 | 61.4 |
| 2002 | 245 | 5 | 4 | 63.5 |
| 2001 | 288 | 4 | 8 | 62.9 |
| 2000 | 233 | 4 | 5 | 64.9 |
| 1999 | 249 | 5 | 5 | 63.4 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1997 | 39 | 2 | 3 | 60.7 |
| 1996 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 49.5 |
| 1995 | 9 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1994 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.