The Lemon Index2005 Ford F-150.
The 2005 Ford F-150 is about average by owner complaints: 544 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 86, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about suspension, it has 19 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Ford F-150 year is 2007.
Covers the whole F-Series (F-150 plus the F-250/F-350 Super Duty): Ford reports their sales together.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,958 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford F-150 year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 32K to 94K miles on the car (1,723 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 20K–70K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 36K–70K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 32K–94K miles
Recalls 19
- steering 2020
The foam ring inside the stabilizer "through shaft" may block the piston ports, possibly causing the steering to lock up.
- lights 2011
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 …
- airbags 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 F-150 PICK UP TRUCKS AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES.
Show all 19 recalls
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
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.
- brakes 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 605,684 MY 2005-2006 F-150 AND LINCOLN MARK LT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L 3-VALVE ENGINES.
- equipment 2008
TRUXXX IS RECALLING 338 AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT WELDED 3" LIFT BLOCKS FOR REAR SUSPENSIONS, PART NO. 206073, INCLUDED IN SUSPENSION KIT NOS. 108035 AND 108036, SOLD BETWEEN JULY 26, 2007 AND MARCH 4, 2008, FOR USE ON FOR…
- lights 2007
CERTAIN SPYDER HEADLAMP REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLIES SOLD FOR USE ON 2004 THROUGH 2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES IMPORTED AND SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT BY SONAR AUTO PARTS FOR USE ON 2004-2007 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCKS.
- lights 2007
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS.
- equipment 2007
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.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- interior lighting 2006
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH EITHER THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 105, 'HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS' OR FMVSS NO. 135, 'PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.' THESE VE…
- tires 2005
CERTAIN CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TR OWL, CONTITRAC TR BSW, GENERAL GRABBER TR BSW, AND CONTITRAC BSW TIRES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 29 AND JUNE 11, 2005, AND SOLD AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON CERTAIN FORD TRUCKS AND SOLD AS REP…
- electrical 2005
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2005
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 215 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ticking noise from upper engine
- Engine vibration during netural run up
- Cooling fan clutch noise - vehicles built prior to 10/1/2004 - 5.4l and 4.6l engines
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedInadvertent airbag deployment2010–2011
- ClosedInadvertent airbag deployment2009–2010
- ClosedLoss of brake power-assist2008
- ClosedViolent front end oscillation2008–2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
I have a 2005 f250 when I hit a bump on the high way at 50mph or higher the truck front end and steering wheel shake violently and feels like you are going to loose control of the truck. Very dangerous.
2005 Ford F-150 owner · NHTSA complaint 10241384
More owner reports
2005 Ford f-250 truck front end wobble. Has done it since about 20,000 miles. Driving 55+ miles per hour, turning to the left, front end and steering wheel shakes violently.
NHTSA complaint 10231489
1. Annual virginia state safety inspection. 2. Front ball joints failed inspection, 2005 Ford f-250 4x2 super duty pick up with 50,000 miles. 3. Ball joints replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10210700
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Ford F-150 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 86; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford F-150 year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2005 Ford F-150 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (19%), engine (19%) and brakes (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford F-150 have?
19 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford F-150 get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-150 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 32,000 and 94,000 miles. The middle report was at 57,000 miles, from 1,723 complaints.
Does the 2005 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Ford F-150 cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Ford F-150 have?
4.2L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl.
What Ford F-150 year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works