Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-FORD-F-350NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Ford
2005 Ford F-350 problems
The 2005 Ford F-350 has 114 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2005 Ford F-350 has 114 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 28 complaints, typically surfacing around 74,741 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 F-350?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Ford F-350? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 28 owner reports
· tends to show around 74,741 mi · ~$700 to fix
engine — 27 owner reports
· tends to show around 107,407 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
fuel system — 17 owner reports
· tends to show around 64,801 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
electrical — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 123,188 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 123,188 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 F-350· fuel system
While on I-95, my 2005 f-350 super-duty sputter and lost power. The truck went from 60mph with flow of traffic to 40mph in seconds. Making evasive measure from getting tag from behind, I was forced to the shoulder of the road which was taking up by snow. The truck crawled half…
I was driving my truck normally like any other day, was going down the road around 45mph when all of the sudden the front end shook so violently, that it pulled so hard to where I had to brake very quickly and stop the truck immediately. This problem that exist has not been…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Ford f350. The motor in the vehicle constantly fails. While towing a fifth wheel at approximately 65 MPH, the turbo charger blew out. The dealer installed a new turbo charger under warranty. Approximately three months later, the failure recurred…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f350. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the fuel filter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure…
Had a problem with your 2005 Ford F-350?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
Certain harsco wheel modification groups containing accuride steel rims, p/nos
Brake failure can occur, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Harsco will notify owners and provide a repair kit along with repair instructions free of charge. The recall began in september 2006. Owners may contact harsco at 507-235-7112.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Ford F-350 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Ford F-350 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Ford F-350?
The 2005 Ford F-350 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Ford F-350?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,741 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Ford F-350 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 114 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 74,741 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Ford F-350?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 74,741 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 74,741 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford F-350 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Ford F-350?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 114 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Ford/F-350.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
