Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My airbag light is on and the dealership says I have no active recalls but when I ask about recall number 11V-107 no one can confirm the when and where for this recall. I would like it repaired at no cost and the criteria of this recall number.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to lock into it's buckle. The buckle fails to activate the lock and release the seat belt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH when a vehicle slipped on ice in front of their vehicle, in order to avoid crashing, the contact ended up steering into a nearby ditch crashing into trees. The seat belt buckle failed to secure the seat belt causing it to swing and hit the contact. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not towed. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the seat belt caused his teeth to be fractured and medical attention was needed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who had not diagnosed anything regarding the seat belt as of yet. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,00.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. While reversing at 50 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own and crashed into the front of one vehicle and the driver's side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the crash scene to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Takata recall---my driver side air bag deployed around oct of 2015. I started the vehicle in a parking lot, put my seat belt on, put the transmission in reverse and the bag exploded before even letting off the brake. It startled me beyond belief, the horn would not shut off, the cloud of ignition was all over me and filled the cab, and the ignitor bruised my hand. I called Ford and they said it was a recall and I had it towed to leif johnson Ford in austin tx. The vehicle sat in their lot for one week as the dealer and myself went back and forth with Ford hq in michigan. I finally ended picking up the truck because I need it for work. Ford said they sent me recall notices in the mail...I never received any. They would not pay for repairs or new airbags. Had I been driving on a road or highway I could have easily crashed. I can't believe they can get away with this.
Dt: the contact stated while traveling on the highway going at 55 MPH the vehicle hit something in the middle of the highway with the left front tire. The brakes were applied but they did not work. The consumer then lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle traveled into the median and collided with the retaining wall. This was a frontal impact. The seat belts failed to properly restrain the consumer and the air bags failed to deploy which resulted in injuries to the occupant. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop a couple of weeks prior to the accident for an ABS problem. They were unable to duplicate the problem with the brakes. Updated 1/25/2006.
In a three car accident. The 1st car turned on their signal at the same time attempted to turn into their driveway, the 2nd car hit the 1st car from the rear, as my f-150 approached the 2nd vehicle, I applied the brakes to stop before colliding into 2nd vehicle and the brakes became soft and did not slow the f-150, the f-150 was traveling at well below the posted speed limit, air-bags did not deploy, there fore hitting the 2nd vehicle in the rear causing almost no damage to 2nd vehicle and causing an almost totaled front end to the f-150 with close to $13000 in damage to f-150. No major injuries were reported, only minor back pain to both persons in f-150 were concurred.
Just purchased vehicle air bag light flashes and turns on when driving looked into issue. Found recall for airbag that causes this. Recall 11s18b. Contacted Ford they said recall had not been performed and set up appointment to have it done. Ford completed recall. Picked up vehicle drove 1000 feet airbag light came back on. Turned around and informed service department. They told me the recall has nothing to so with the airbag or light and that if I pay 100 they will diagnose vehicle. I informed them that it shows right on for that the recall causes light to flash and possibly airbag to deploy. They told me it does not and I was wrong and sent me on my way
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at a 15 MPH, the air bags deployed without impact. The contact sustained lacerations to the face and a black eye, however no medical attention was sought. There was no police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V107000 (air bags) however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the recall had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,450.
Front end collision into the rear of another truck. Whole front end damaged through radiator, hood, headlights, bumpers etc. Airbag never deployed and upon return of vehicle after repairs, I am now getting a code 42 that the sensor is bad and after research find out there is a recall on this but for the opposite reason but also now understand there are corrosion issues with the connection of the sensor also. Hope this helps. Please advise what to do, will Ford fix this whole problem and replace with a new sensor and the wire chaffing problem? Thank you in advance!
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. While driving 35 MPH in fair weather conditions, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bag light illuminated on the instrument panel, but the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries; however, the contact was concerned about the air bags not deploying. The current and failure mileages were 32,684. Updated 05/13/09 the consumer stated it was a minor fender bender and the police were not called. Updated 05/20/09. Updated 06/17/09 updated 06/17/09. Updated 06/24/09.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 f-150 pick up trucks as well as certain model year 2006 Lincoln mark lt vehicles. If the clockspring jumper wire comes in contact with the driver side frontal air bag lower horn plate, the wire insulation May become chafed, creating a potential for a short circuit.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer to have a new clockspring jumper wire installed that incorporates a protective mesh cover.
NHTSA investigations
Inadvertent airbag deployment
Ford reports that the inadvertent airbag deployments are most likely caused by the airbag horn mounting plate's sharp metal edge that eventually can chafe/cut the airbag clockspring jumper wire leading to a short-to-ground condition.one hundred eighty two (182) of the 230 reports were for airbag deployments resulting in 56 injuries with remaining 48 reports for an airbag light illumination condition.injuries include…
Inadvertent airbag deployment
ODI opened this investigation based on reports of inadvertent airbag deployment.Data provided by Ford indicated that the airbag clockspring jumper wire, which is situated inside the steering wheel assembly, was installed in a manner that would allow it to rub (abrade) against a sharp metal edge on the nearby horn plate.Because the horn plate is electrically grounded the abrasion of an airbag wire on the sharp edge…
Airbag complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Ford F-150, 9% of the model year's 1,112 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-150 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-107 (inflator module, Feb 23, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-150 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 21 crashes, 0 fires and 38 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.