2005 Ford F-150 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 10%of 1,112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Ford F-150, 10% of the 1,112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was pulling out into traffic when the engine wouldn't respond. Luckily it wasn't on a highway the on coming traffic had enough time to avoid me. There was no warning I thought the truck had died and went to restart but the engine was idling. I then put the truck into low transfer and was able to move to a safe place by idling until a tow truck could remove it.”
NHTSA complaint #10550119, filed 2013-10, 96,809 miles“I have a 2005 Ford F-150 pick up with a 5.4 liter triton engine. While driving on the highway the number 1 sparkplug was spit out damaging the head. The vehicle immediately slowed down in the middle of traffic. Ford said this is uncommon, yet there are thousands of complaints already filed about this particular engine through the NHTSA. I have to completely replace the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10272675, filed 2009-06, 115,150 miles“Spark plugs breaking off in engine head because of poor design. Just happened to me and after looking around the internet it has happened to a lot of people and now the service department of my local Ford dealership says it common and now they are charging me becuase they broke it and its common.”
NHTSA complaint #10372733, filed 2010-12, 91,000 miles“#3 spark plug blew out while traveling away from home in another state. In driving two miles back to my son's house, I had two explosions from excess gasoline and spark plug firing. The spark plugs were original and blew out because of the fine threads and aluminum cylinder heads. This is a design defect and safety problem known to Ford. Towing and insert installation by a Ford dealer was $950. The engine is a 4.6 v-8 updated 05/17/12”
NHTSA complaint #10459412, filed 2012-04, 79,968 miles“Cross-reference Ford TSB 07-13-5: water leak from AC has flooded the passenger floor pan and all associated carpeting and padding. Significant health hazard exists in warm climates due to the proliferation of respiratory hazards including but not limited to legionnaire's disease. The item should be a recall for this reason. I have lost use of my truck due to the inability to sufficiently dry the padding - I have had the vehicle drying for one week in hot florida sun to no avail.”
NHTSA complaint #10458186, filed 2012-05, 59,977 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10172885Feb 7, 2020This SKU is an Oil Dipstick. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the dipstick tube. The dipstick tube inner diameter may be small enough…
- 10109070Sep 21, 2016The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to…
- 10029205Jun 1, 2009Ford/mercury/lincoln: vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: drive away hesitation, loss of rpm on deceleration, difficulty starting, and/or idle rpm less…
- 10024865Apr 1, 20081999-2008 7.3l/6.0l/6.4l/4.5l diesel f-super duty - clean the charge air cooler (cac) system after certain turbo or engine failures - service tip.
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10021048Feb 27, 2007Spark plug removal instructions - 5.4 3v.
- 10020792Jan 16, 2007Diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0340, p0344, p0345, p0349. Are found.
- 10019383Jan 1, 20065.4l 3v with p030x and/or p0316 accompanied by spark knock.
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10017806Oct 31, 2005Buck/jerk or surge - 6.0l vehicles built before 8/22/2005.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 4 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 19 | 2% |
| 2020 | 11 | 1% |
| 2019 | 62 | 5% |
| 2018 | 88 | 4% |
| 2017 | 70 | 5% |
| 2016 | 30 | 1% |
| 2015 | 25 | 1% |
| 2014 | 10 | 1% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 17 | 1% |
| 2011 | 33 | 2% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 22 | 6% |
| 2007 | 41 | 8% |
| 2006 | 77 | 13% |
| 2005 | 111 | 10% |
| 2004 | 167 | 8% |
| 2003 | 69 | 16% |
| 2002 | 196 | 24% |
| 2001 | 234 | 19% |
| 2000 | 135 | 13% |
| 1999 | 219 | 21% |
| 1998 | 174 | 13% |
| 1997 | 529 | 19% |
| 1996 | 23 | 7% |
| 1995 | 71 | 11% |
| 1994 | 52 | 8% |
| 1993 | 52 | 9% |
| 1992 | 37 | 8% |
| 1991 | 17 | 6% |
| 1990 | 21 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 6% |
| 1988 | 11 | 8% |
| 1987 | 9 | 10% |
| 1986 | 9 | 15% |
| 1985 | 4 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 13% |
| 1983 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford F-150
268 complaintsBrakes
120 complaintsEngine
117 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
112 complaintsAir bags
101 complaintsFuel system
82 complaintsBody and structure
77 complaintsElectrical system
73 complaintsVehicle speed control
57 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsOther or unknown
41 complaintsTires
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford F-150
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology