2005 Ford F-150 Air Bags Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 26, 2026 · 101 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the 2005 Ford F-150, 9% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 79,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “air bag” (50% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Air bag: mentioned in 50 of 101 complaints (50%)
  • Frontal driver side: mentioned in 13 of 101 complaints (13%)
  • Inflator module: mentioned in 13 of 101 complaints (13%)
  • Deployed without: mentioned in 11 of 101 complaints (11%)

At what mileage do air bags problems happen?

Based on 80 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles3 · 4%
10k–25k miles4 · 5%
25k–50k miles10 · 13%
50k–75k miles18 · 23%
75k–100k miles25 · 31%
100k–150k miles13 · 16%
150k+ miles7 · 9%

How serious are the reports?

Of 101 complaints, 21 mention a crash, 36 an injury.

Ford F-150 air bags complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 101 complaints
1995: 3519951996: 231997: 991998: 4219981999: 692000: 692001: 6620012002: 352003: 292004: 8520042005: 1011012006: 482007: 2720072008: 292009: 122010: 1920102011: 142012: 372013: 3920132014: 312015: 352016: 3520162017: 232018: 382019: 2420192020: 102021: 52022: 420222023: 12024: 42025: 12025

n = 1,089 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearAir Bags complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 F-15011%—
2024 F-15042%—
2023 F-15010%—
2022 F-15041%15,400
2021 F-15050%59,000
2020 F-150101%39,000
2019 F-150242%51,407
2018 F-150382%27,500
2017 F-150232%27,220
2016 F-150352%46,419
2015 F-150352%52,128
2014 F-150312%45,892
2013 F-150391%76,750
2012 F-150372%49,500
2011 F-150141%60,992
2010 F-150192%75,000
2009 F-150124%78,000
2008 F-150298%98,000
2007 F-150276%62,000
2006 F-150488%82,150
2005 F-1501019%79,500
2004 F-150854%68,500
2003 F-150297%90,000
2002 F-150354%84,000
2001 F-150665%62,000
2000 F-150696%91,000
1999 F-150697%108,450
1998 F-150423%165,569
1997 F-150994%142,000
1996 F-150237%100,000
1995 F-150356%100,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2011, with 22 complaints
2005: 2200522006: 332007: 4200742008: 10102009: 9200992010: 19192011: 222011222012: 662013: 3201332014: 662015: 2201522016: 332017: 2201722018: 332020: 2202022021: 332023: 1202312025: 11

n = 101 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleFeb 23, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V107000 · 1,325,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

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.

Received Jul 25, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11676188

No incident FAR SOME REASON MY AIR BAG LIGT STAY ON

Received Dec 18, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11560586

When starting the truck the airbag light is illuminated and flashes.

Received Dec 4, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11442647
Ford F-150
Ford F-150 (fourteenth generation) at Rutesheimer Autoschau 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2005 Ford F-150s have air bags problems?

No. NHTSA has 101 owner complaints about air bags for the 2005 Ford F-150 (9% of the 1,112 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Ford F-150 air bags?

Yes: 1 safety recall list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do air bags problems start?

The median reported mileage is 79,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about air bags problems on the 2005 Ford F-150?

The most frequent phrase is “air bag”, in 50 of 101 complaints, followed by “frontal driver side” (13).

Other 2005 Ford F-150 problems

See all 2005 Ford F-150 problems or air bags problems across all F-150 years.