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Ford E-150Model year report

2005 Ford E-150 Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,879miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Ford E-150 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2005 Ford E-150. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine (4) and fuel system (4). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 43% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,879 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 48 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “I was driving down a hill and my brakes failed totally. I ran head on into a tree which caused me to blackout. Once rescued from truck I was told the air bag never deployed. So I feel there are two failures here the brakes and the air bag.”

NHTSA complaint #10231475, filed 2008-06, 52,500 miles

Engine: “I was crushing at 55 MPH and I heard a loud pop that was followed by a continuous popping obviously from lost compression. I took to a local Ford dealer and they stated that this is a common problem for this type of motor to blow spark plug . This happened without warning and is now a hardship for me”

NHTSA complaint #10936808, filed 2016-12, 134,000 miles

Fuel system: “I purchased a new 2005 Ford passenger van in may 2006 I have since put 45,000 miles on this vehicle. I have poor gas milage approximately 6 miles to the gallon pulling a trailer. I was told that this vehicle would get at least 11. I have black smoke blowing out the tailpipe. And I have had brake failure 5 times now during cold weather driving conditions. I have taken the vehicle in repeatedly for these problems but the dealership told me that I was imagining them, and Ford told me unless the dealership could verify my problem that they won't do anything about it.”

NHTSA complaint #10186163, filed 2007-03, 10,000 miles

Air bags: “I was parked at a gas station. I was about to reverse and my airbag exploded for no reason. I filled a police report with witnesses. I contacted my local Ford dealership about the incident and was informed I would have to pay for the damages. They stated they have sent letters to an undisclosed address. I stated I never received a letter and I have lived at multiple locations. I also stated that I have had my truck at the same dealership three times(one time for a wreck) since the recall and have never been informed of a recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10743928, filed 2015-07, 250,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

43% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,000 and 122,010 miles.

0%0–1021%10–2521%25–5021%50–757%75–10014%100–15014%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,879 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2006220082010220132201622023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Ford E-150. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
E-150 · wagon RWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Ford E-150 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
E150 Club Wagon RWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
E150 Club Wagon RWD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121513$5,150
E150 Econoline 2WD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
E150 Econoline 2WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Ford E-150 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 48 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 48 bulletins →

Other model years of the Ford E-150

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201686,5001———Not enough data
2015818,0001———Not enough data
2014616,7386—14—Not enough data
20131982,8006—14—Stable
20121260,0008—14—Not enough data
20112337,50011—14—Falling
20101042,5007———Not enough data
2009783,00012———Not enough data
20081166,32517———Not enough data
20071249,00018———Not enough data
20061744,37314—15—Stable
20051652,8792—15—Rising
20043365,0005—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20032116,3545—14—Stable
20022886,0003—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20013773,0004—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200050104,6026—15Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19998396,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19986089,1465—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1997102103,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199659120,0003—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19957195,0003—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
1994121129,5007—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199371135,0004—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199264100,0004—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19911575,0001—13—Stable
199017126,0003—13—Falling
19893194,0002—13Not compared (before 2008)Rising
198814—0—13—Not enough data
19871770,0000—14—Stable
19869—0—14—Not enough data

All Ford E-150 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Ford E-150 have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2005 Ford E-150 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Ford E-150 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2005 Ford E-150 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford E-150 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Ford E-150 (E150 Club Wagon, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Ford E-150 reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,879 miles and the middle half falls between 28,000 and 122,010 miles; 43% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.