NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls and 1,121 owner complaints for the 2005 Ford F-150. Most complaints involve visibility (261) and engine (117). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.
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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each F-150 model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 360 |
| 1997 | 2,855 |
| 1998 | 1,418 |
| 1999 | 1,121 |
| 2000 | 1,205 |
| 2001 | 1,340 |
| 2002 | 955 |
| 2003 | 464 |
| 2004 | 2,036 |
| 2005 | 1,121 |
| 2006 | 589 |
| 2007 | 492 |
| 2008 | 369 |
| 2009 | 324 |
| 2010 | 851 |
| 2011 | 2,137 |
| 2012 | 1,717 |
| 2013 | 2,796 |
| 2014 | 1,362 |
| 2015 | 1,425 |
| 2016 | 1,798 |
| 2017 | 1,148 |
| 2018 | 1,929 |
| 2019 | 1,021 |
| 2020 | 562 |
| 2021 | 1,042 |
| 2022 | 605 |
| 2023 | 419 |
| 2024 | 195 |
| 2025 | 119 |
| 2026 | 0 |
“REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE FOR SECOND TIME ALLOWING WINDOW TO FALL AND SHATTER INSIDE DOOR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE. VERY DANGEROUS, VERY EXPENSIVE.”
“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.”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F150 Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| F150 Pickup 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
14 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,121 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (261), engine (117), engine and engine cooling (114). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Ford F-150 at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).