2005 Ford F-450 SD Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jan 14, 2020 · 40 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other F-450 SD years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford F-450 SD. That ranks 4th out of 32 F-450 SD model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel system, diesel (13 complaints, 33%), typically at around 50,000 miles. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2005 Ford F-450 SD problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Fuel System, Diesel13 · ~50,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System7 · ~44,000 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline6 · ~28,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling5 · ~86,845 mi
Engine4 · ~78,948 mi
Electrical System2 · ~91,500 mi
Steering2 · ~85,661 mi
Suspension2 · ~10,070 mi
Equipment1 · ~50,000 mi
Exterior Lighting1 · ~121,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Fuel System, Diesel1333%50,000——
Fuel/propulsion System718%44,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline615%28,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling513%86,845——
Engine410%78,948——
Electrical System25%91,500——
Steering25%85,661——
Suspension25%10,070——
Equipment13%50,000——
Exterior Lighting13%121,000——
Power Train13%97,105——
Structure13%53,500——
Visibility13%300——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 7 complaints
2005: 1200512006: 1200612007: 5200752008: 6200862009: 4200942010: 7201072011: 5201152012: 6201262013: 2201322015: 1201512016: 1201612020: 120201

n = 40 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 Ford F-450 SD recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Exterior lighting:brake lights; exterior lighting:tail lightsJul 13, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 26,715 vehicles

Problem: 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 year ranger trucks, 2002 through 2005 model year excursion vehicles, and 2002 through 2007 model year f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the multi-function switch was shipped with a subcomponent (slider) that may experience deformation. A multi-function switch with a deformed slider may malfunction causing the turn signal, tail lights, hazard warning signal flashers and/or brake lights not to activate.

Risk: Non-functioning lights could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the switches free of charge. The safety recall began on august 15, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical system:wiringJun 10, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V270000 · 180,104 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.

Fix: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on july 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsJun 9, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V266000 · 78,675 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The fuel line may separate at the connection to the main fuel bundle. If the fuel line separates, an operator may notice a gasoline odor and/or fuel on the ground, loss of power, and the engine will eventually stall. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will install an external retention clip at the fuel jumper line to the main fuel bundle connection. The recall began on june 20, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Steering:gear box:shaft pitmanApr 6, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V135000 · 481 vehicles

Problem: On certain chassis cab trucks, the steering gear may have some gears with a gear piston that was assembled with an incorrect re-circulating ball tube retainer. An incorrect retainer may result in an improperly retained re-circulating ball tube, which may not keep the re-circulating balls in place during steering gear actuation.

Risk: If the re-circulating balls become dislodged a vehicle operator may notice noise and increased steering efforts that may eventually progress to impaired steering or potential loss of steering which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the steering gear for a specific date code and replace if necessary free of charge. The recall began on april 4, 2005. Owners may contact at 1-800-392-3673.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and the dashboard illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer in nevada where a diagnostic test was performed. The technician stated that the engine needed to the…

Engine · received Jan 14, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11299334

Engine will shut off while driving and not restart or just not start.

Fuel/propulsion System · received Feb 9, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10825015

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. While driving 35 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel injection and motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate…

Engine · received May 7, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10715167

Vehicle billowing white smoke when started. Not drivable. Towed to recommended local truck repair company. Much testing including cylinder heads themselves. #7 cylinder pushing coolant. Head gasket showing signs of leaking. Replaced. A month in shop. $4,000 repair bill. Ford needs to take…

Engine · received Oct 29, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10549993

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-450 sd. The contact stated that while attempting to merge into traffic the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the inside of the fuel tank was delaminating and as a result, the fuel system needed to be…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Jan 2, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10490752

Other Ford F-450 SD years

← 2004 F-450 SD · 2006 F-450 SD →

See all Ford F-450 SD problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford F-450 SD?

Owners most often report fuel system, diesel, fuel/propulsion system, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, fuel system, diesel, accounts for 13 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Ford F-450 SD?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 Ford F-450 SD a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other F-450 SD model years, the 2005 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.