2005 Ford F-150 Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SHIFT INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH AND ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WATER WAS PENETRATING THE ACTUATOR. VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
LIMITED SLIP REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACK HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 25,000 MILES. FAILURE OF COMPONENTS CAUSES HARSH VIBRATION AND CONTROL PROBLEMS IN TURNS AND CURVES. *KB
2005 FORD F150 TRUCK 4X4 AUTO TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL FAILURE WITH NO WARNING. LOST FORWARD LOW GEARS. ONLY HAS 57K MILES. TRUCK WAS ALWAYS DEALERSHIP SERVICED AND MAINTAINED AS RECOMMENDED. NO HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPERIENCED. NO HEAVY TOWING DONE. REPLACED WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION. OLD PART WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. *TR
I HAVE A 05 FORD F150 AND MY DIFFERENTIAL HAS GONE OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT I HAD THIS ISSUE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT FORD ALWAYS FOUND EXCUSES AND NOW THAT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY I STARTED TO RESEARCH AND I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS WHERE PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATIONS AT THE ABOVE SPEEDS OF 45MPH. *LN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH UPHILL WHEN THE ENGINE BECAME HESITANT AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,189.
2005 FORD F150, 139,000 MILES. TRUCK STARTED MAKING GRIND/BUZZ NOISE INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD STOP WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD 4WD VACUUM SWITCH DAMAGED FROM WATER AND DRIVER SIDE INDEPENDENT WHEEL END NEEDED REPLACED. NEW SWITCH HAS WATER SHROUD TO PREVENT WATER DAMAGE WHICH WOULD INDICATE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS CORRODED AND SPLIT IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
TRUCK WOULD IDLE EXTREMELY BAD, WHEN YOU CUT IT OFF IT WOULDN'T START. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO FIRESTONE AND THEY RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH AT THE TIME DID NOT SHOW THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME. HOWEVER, FIRESTONE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, DID A TUNE UP AND REPLACED THE BATTERY AND REMOVED THE GAS TANK TO CLEAN IT BUT THIS STILL DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THIS COST ME $369. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND ON THE WAY THERE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT DID COME ON. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED US AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT WE NEEDED A THROTTLE BODY AND ELECTRONIC EGR VALVE WHICH WILL COST $1330.00. *TR
1) DRIVING DOWN A PAVED ROAD GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. 2) HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN A METAL GRINDING SOUND. THE DRIVESHAFT FORCED ITS WAY AND BUSTED THROUGH THE CENTER CARRIER BEARING. IT ONLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN ONCE AND IT CANNOT BE FIXED. THE CENTER CARRIER BREARING IS SNAPPED. THIS PART HOLDS THE DRIVESHAFT. WITHOUT THE BEARING, THE DRIVE SHAFT WILL HANG DOWN AND GRIND AGAINST THE PAVEMENT AND THROW IT OUT OF BALANCE AND DAMAGE IT. EVENTUALLY THE DRIVESHAFT WILL BREAK IN TWO. THEN THE TRUCK WILL LOSE POWER TO THE WHEELS WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. 3) THE DRIVESHAFT FROM FORD IS NONSERVICEABLE. IF ANY 1 PART FAILS YOU ARE BUYING A COMPLETE NEW DRIVESHAFT FOR UPWARDS OF $1,200.00. NONE OF THE PARTS CAN BE REPLACED. THE DRIVESHAFT FOR MY TRUCK COSTS $1200.00 FROM FORD. THE CENTER CARRIER BEARING COULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE BEARING IS INSTALLED BEFORE TUBE WAS FRICTION WELDED (BAD) IN PLACE. THE BEARING CANNOT BE CHANGED WITHOUT CUTTING DRIVESHAFT APART, DESTROYING THE DRIVESHAFT. THIS PART IS ONLY $35.00 BUT YOU HAVE TO BUY A COMPLETE NEW DRIVESHAFT. I FOUND A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN DRIVESHAFTS AND MAKES SERVICEABLE DRIVESHAFTS FOR FORD TRUCKS. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM SO THIS IS A COMMON DRIVESHAFT DEFECT WITH 04-05 FORD F-150 TRUCKS. I BOUGHT THE NEW DRIVESHAFT FROM HTTP://WWW.DRIVESHAFTSPECIALIST.COM F OR $725 + INSTALLATION. THIS IS LESS THAN WHAT FORD CHARGES BUT IS NOT SOMETHING I FEEL SHOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A NEWER TRUCK WITH THIS MILEAGE AND THAT IS DRIVEN VERY LIGHTLY UNLESS THERE IS A DEFECT IN DESIGN LIKE THERE IS WITH FORD F-150 DRIVE SHAFTS. THIS IS SOMETHING THIAT IS SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE TRUCK. *KB
THIS PAST MARCH, DURING A HEAVY SNOW STORM I TRIED TO ENGAGE MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE ON MY 2005 F150 AND IT WOULDN'T ENGAGE. SINCE THEN, I'VE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL (THAT'S SINCE PROGRESSED TO MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL). FOUND A TSB #06-8-15 THAT AFFECTS THE IWE SOLENOIDS ON 04-06 F150'S. REPLACED THE SOLENOID, AND STILL HAVE NOISE. NOW BEING TOLD BY A FORD MECHANIC THAT MY ACTUATOR HUBS ARE PROBABLY SHOT FROM WATER GETTING INTO THE OLD SOLENOID AND TRAVELING DOWN THE VACUUM HOSES TO THE HUBS. *TR
A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD, DESTROYING THE COIL ABOVE IT. NO HINT OF ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO BLOW OUT. *TR
2005 F150 STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES AT HIGHSPEED ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAPPENED VERY FREQUENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED REPLACING AT APPROX $750.00 AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL REPAIR FOR THIS VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. PRIOR TO REPAIRING I STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE LEFT HAND OF THE 4 LANE HIGHWAY WHICH I WAS FORTUNATE NOT TO BE HIT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
ON CERTAIN MODEL FORD VEHICLES USING THEIR 5.4 LITER ENGINE (WHICH INCLUDES FORD/LINCOLN MODELS) THE SPARK PLUGS ARE OF A 3 PART DESIGN WHICH WILL SEPARATE AND SHOOT OUT OF THE TOP OF THE ENGINE WHILE RUNNING CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL SERVICE MANAGERS BUT FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE FOR EVERY VEHICLE REPAIR IS A 1500.00 REPAIR BILL FOR THE DEALER/FORD. FOR PEOPLE WHOM DON'T HAVE 1500.00 TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS WHICH SHOULD BE A 50.00 REPAIR, THEY REMAIN AT RISK. *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD F150 5.4 AUTOMATIC W/ 63,000. UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION CAUSED BY, AS DEALER STATED, A DEGRADATION OF A BEARING WHICH CAME LOOSE AND BECAME LODGED IN SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. I REPLIED TO THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER DOES THIS MEAN THAT WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, HE ANSWERED YES AND GAVE ME THE QUOTE FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND OVER 6,000 CASES OF CUSTOMERS WITH SAME ISSUE( NO TOWING, PROPER MAINTENANCE INTERVALS AND DOCUMENTATION, ETC.) YET INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED TO FIND SOLUTION TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE. TALKED TO 3 NATIONALLY KNOWN TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITIES AND THEY ALSO HAVE STATED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE 4R75W AND 4R70E/W TRANSMISSION THAT FORD IS INSTALLING IN ITS VEHICLES, PRIMARILY WITH THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS OF 15-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT HARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO INSPECT AND DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT WATER WAS LEAKING THROUGH THE FRONT CHASSIS IN FRONT OF THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE AND CORRODING THE SOLENOIDS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE NECESSARY PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83,000. UPDATED 11/10/10
FRONT WHEELS DO NOT ENGAGE INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. INDICATOR LAMPS DISPLAY THAT SYSTEM IS ENGAGED AND FUNCTIONING PROPERLY CAUSING A FALSE SINCE OF SECURITY WHEN TRAVELING ON SNOW COVERED ROADS. MECHANIC REPLACED PART # 7LIZ-3C247-A (ACTUATOR). A COUPLE OF MECHANICS SAID IT WAS A POOR DESIGN AND THIS VACUUM SYSTEM WAS PRONE TO WATER AND DIRT AND WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *TR
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT ENGAGE. NO INDICATOR LAMPS. FORD HAD TO REPLACE 4X4 MOTOR. 34,000 MILES BUT 38 MONTHS SO WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
TRUCK ENGINE CUTTING OFF AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING ,LOSS OFF STEERING AND CONTROL OF TRUCK. MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT HAS 40,000MILES. IT HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE THE TIRES BEGAN TO SPIN AROUND AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN JAN 2009. . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48000. UPDATED 4/13/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIME IT WAS REPAIRED WAS IN MARCH 2000. UPDATED 06/18/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F150. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED ON AN ICY ROAD. THE BACK RIGHT TIRE HIT A CURB AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO SNAP AND THE TIRE TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE AXLE AND TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000.
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. FRONT BEARING WENT OUT ,ROOT CAUSE OF FAILURE ACCORDING TO AAMCO MECHANIC. TRUCK ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES. TRUCK HAS ALWAYS HAD A VIBRATION . LANCE CUNNINGHAM FORD ALWAYS POINTED TO TIRES, DRIVE SHAFT. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRUE PROBLEM HAS NOW CAME TO LIGHT. UNFORTUNATELY THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY WAS FOR 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. *TR
2005 F-150 DRIVESHAFT GOES BAD PREMATURELY. THE MIDDLE JOINT IN A 2 PIECE DRIVE SHAFT IS CHEAPLY MADE AND UNSERVICEABLE. IT CAUSES DRIVETRAIN VIBRATION AND COULD FAIL CAUSING INJURY TO PASSENGERS OR OTHER DRIVERS THOUGH A ACCIDENT. THE PART FAILURE IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND MANY HAVE BEEN ALREADY REPLACED. MY 2005 F-150 HAS 72000 MILES ON IT. THE DRIVESHAFT IS BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. MANY OTHER TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS. I PAID A DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT TOOK THEM AWHILE TO FIGURE IT OUT. UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR THE REPAIR. I COULD NOT SEE SPENDING 900 DOLLARS FOR THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR A REASONABLE AND QUALITY REPLACEMENT. DRIVE SHAFTS HISTORICALLY LAST A LOT LONGER THAN THE ONES FORD IS PUTTING OUT . THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE DEFECT. PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MONEY TRYING TO FIX A VIBRATION AND OVERLOOKING THE DRIVESHAFT BECAUSE IT IS SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVESHAFT IS BAD. SO IT IS OVERLOOKED FOR SOME BY THE TIME THEY FIGURE IT OUT IT COULD BE TOO LATE FOR THE PASSENGER OR A INNOCENT MOTORIST SHARING THE ROAD WITH THEM. DO THE RIGHT THING MAKE FORD PAY FOR OR REPLACE THESE DRIVESHAFTS. TIME IS TICKING AWAY AND THE MILES ARE CLICKING OFF ON ALL THOSE TRUCKS WITH THESE DRIVE SHAFTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE NOISE WAS HEARD INTERMITTENLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE LATER LOCKED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE SOLENOID AND THE SWITCH FOR THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT PAID $185 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS UNSURE IF THE REPAIR WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 37,217. UPDATED 08/11/09.*JB
TRUCK WILL NOT DISENGAGE FROM 4HI AND EVEN THOUGH IT IS TURNED OFF IT WILL MAKE A TERRIBLE GRINDING SOUND, WHICH I THINK HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSFER CASE. THE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON WHEN FOR 4HI, SO I AM ALSO THINKING THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE RELAY SWITCH.. ALSO OUR TRUCK VIBRATES, BUT HAS ONLY DONE IT TWICE, HOWEVER THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 68 THOUSANDS KILOMETERS ON IT, IT IS LIKE A BRAND NEW TRUCK. WE HAVE HAD IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. ARE THEY ACTUALLY WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE IN ONE OF THESE TRUCKS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? *TR
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Quick Summary
The 2005 Ford F-150 has 73 Power Train complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.