Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Ford F-150 problems

Owners filed 1,121 complaints about the 2005 Ford F-150 with NHTSA between Oct 2004 and May 2026. The most-cited component is visibility (261).

Complaints
1,121
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
50
Reported by owners
Fires
29
Reported by owners
Injuries
57
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility261
  2. Engine117
  3. Engine and engine cooling114
  4. Power train113
  5. Air bags101
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic90
  7. Structure77
  8. Electrical system74
  9. Vehicle speed control57
  10. Fuel system, gasoline54
  11. Suspension50
  12. Tires39
  13. Steering35
  14. Fuel/propulsion system25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20041
200553
200662
200739
2008119
2009155
2010176
2011118
201265
201348
201459
201549
201635
201732
201825
201926
202014
202112
20224
202312
20246
202510
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Visibility

261 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2019VisibilityODI 11164457

Engine

117 reports3 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2025EngineFire reportedODI 11704240

Engine and engine cooling

114 reports1 crash7 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2024Engine and engine coolingODI 11626719

Power train

113 reports1 fire
“customer states that the frame of the vehicle has been compromised by corrosion. the vehicle only has 163,844 miles on it and it has major holes in the frame. The chassis could break in half prohibiting the use of this vehicle on the roadway due to the safety of occupants. I advised the customer of this of which they bought a frame repair kit (Pre-cut over frame c-channel steel) to weld onto the frame to support a longer lifespan. The truck is now safe for the roadway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2025Power train, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11696954

Air bags

101 reports21 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2025Air bagsODI 11676188

Service brakes, hydraulic

90 reports12 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop sign, he had to pump the brake pedal to fully stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2023Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11504605
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.