Steering
NHTSA campaign 20E090000 · 2020 · reported 12/10/2020
If the steering locks, it can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2005 Ford F-350 SD Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
217Complaints
4Recalls
8Crashes
8Fires
4Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Steering (15.7% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 34 · 15.7% | Recalled | Recall 20E090000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel | 23 · 10.6% | not available | — |
| Suspension:front | 22 · 10.1% | not available | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 21 · 9.7% | Recalled | Recall 05V266000 |
| Electrical System | 16 · 7.4% | Recalled | Recall 05V270000 |
| Tires | 14 · 6.5% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 217 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 4 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
NHTSA campaign 11V352000 · 2011 · reported 07/13/2011
NON-FUNCTIONING LIGHTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:wiring
NHTSA campaign 05V270000 · 2005 · reported 06/10/2005
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 05V266000 · 2005 · reported 06/09/2005
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPERDUTY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL…”NHTSA complaint 10246537 — filed 10/23/2008 · STEERING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SUPER DUTY. IN JANUARY OF 2006, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIMMY…”NHTSA complaint 10244101 — filed 10/01/2008 · STEERING
“STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY/OSCILLATION (BACK AND FORTH MOTION), IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING FRONT OR REAR WHEEL IMPACTS (PAVEMENT JOINTS, FROST HEAVES, ROUGH ROADS, ETC). NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL…”NHTSA complaint 10243975 — filed 09/30/2008 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford F-350 SD?
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 34 of 217 NHTSA complaints (15.7%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel (23), suspension:front (22), fuel system, diesel (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2005 Ford F-350 SD have?
217 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2005 Ford F-350 SD have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20E090000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Ford F-350 SD's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
