Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
I started the truck and then turned on the rear defrost, which I rarely use. It was about 55 degrees outside. After about 2 minutes I heard a hissing noise that lasted for about 5 seconds and then a heard loud pop and then the windshield shattered. Many other articles on the web indicate that this is a known defect with the rear defrost. I called Ford and they will not offer and compensation to have it fixed even though it is a known issue. My daughter was in the back seat and got glass in her hair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. While driving 35 MPH, the front driver's side window lowered without warning. The contact attempted to roll the window up, but it failed to close. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-150. While driving 60 MPH, the sun roof shattered. The vehicle was taken to the an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,740.
Normal use of my 2005 Ford f-150 in the past two years has lead to a few item I believe can be a safety issue. The latest is the drivers seat breaking its lower frame and seat pad tray. Ford has yet to fix this issue as they claim parts are not available at this time. The seat is "rocking" during normal driving and is a concern of mine if it should totally fail while the vehicle is in use leading to a crash. It is also at a slight tilt causing me to sit in a very uncomfortable position. It has been a month since I took the truck in to have it repaired, but the parts are still on order to fix it. This is a un-reasonable amount of time to have to wait. Also 3 out of the five windows of my truck have broken, this results in the window regulator breaking causing the window to drop to the bottom of the door. …
2005 Ford f150 supercrew 4 door truck-failed power window regulator (passenger side door/third regulator failure on this truck, different window). Driving down the road when I and my wife hear a loud bang. She is afraid as the noise was loud and for the moment we could not be sure that something had not been thrown or shot at my truck. As I tried to understand the problem, I remembered the other regulator failures and then noticed the passenger side window next to my wife falling into the door. This had happened before so I knew what to expect. The failure was once again a total surprise. The truck continues to be used only for light yard-related work and does not go off road. The windows are seldom operated as air-conditioning is typically running in the heat of florida. This was the third event for this vehicle. …
Like many other people driving f150s I closed my door and hear a loud pop sound from my door. I first believed that the door had slammed on something, so I opened the door and looked, there was nothing. About 2 minutes of driving later my driver side window suddenly and quite forcefully fell inside the panel. After I got home I took the door apart and found a tangle of wire and window at the bottom. After removing all the parts in acordance with the chilton's manual, and reconstructing the electric window on the kitchen floor because it was 20*f outside I discovered that the actual defect came from the mounting bracket that supports the window and slides up and down on the rail was the reason for the defect. I then tried to find the part by google-ing "f150 window repair glass mount" and found that there was a whole list of other people with the same problem as me. …
Within the last tree months (shortly after the 3 year warranty expiration) three of four power window regulators have failed in my f-150. The dealer indicates that this is one of the most common repair actions for f-150's. This is clearly a well documented and complained about product deficiency that is also a major safety hazard because when the failures occur the window drops into the door panel. My most recent failure was during a serious rain storm with my child sitting at the rear passenger window when it failed and fell into the door panel. Although this Ford defect is widely documented Ford motor company is doing nothing for it's customers. …
Owner of a 2005 Ford f150 supercrew 4x4. I cannot say that any particular event lead up to the failure of this issue. The passenger side rear power window fell inside the door due to a defect in the window lift assembly. Apparently a cable came loose that supports the window and it will no longer stay up. This creates a huge safety issue for my children in the backseat, not to mention theft and weather concerns. As far as repair, I contacted the local Ford dealership only to find out the replacement cost for repairs, which was close to $400.00. I balked at that having this repaired currently and simply duct taped the window up to at least prevent rain from entering the vehicle. I have not attempted to fix this issue myself (cannot without $200 part), but the part in question is still installed on my vehicle. …
While driving on the highway at a speed of 55-65. I thought I was shot at causing me to be distracted from my driving. When I pulled over to see if I was shot or if something hit my car I noticed my left hand rear window was down in the door. This occurred yesterday 9/27/10. When I returned home I pulled off the panel and found that the window regulator in my 2005 Ford f150 was not working. After inquiring about repairing this I noticed that this problem with Ford's window regulators is an ongoing issue and that there is a number of complaints by patrons replacing up to four windows in one vehicle. This is certainly a safety issue and an insurance issue regarding accidents and theft of vehicle and property. These windows fall at any given time while parked or driving. This issue needs to be investigated for sure! …
I was driving my 2005 Ford f150 fx4 and traveling at approximately 45 MPH when all of a sudden my front driver's side window came crashing down. I was shocked not knowing at all what was going on. I momentarily had little or no control of the vehicle due to my sudden shock and confusion. Once I had realized that the window had basically just fallen from its closed position, I was furious. Furious that something as simple as a window suddenly crashing open, almost caused me to crash into oncoming traffic, endangering my life as well as my wife's and others on the road. I know this May not seem very dangerous, but put yourself in the driver's seat and imagine your window being shot out while traveling 45mph. It was terrifying, and I am lucky not to have had a more serious incident. I immediately drove my vehicle to the nearest Ford dealer. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2005 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 267 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2005 Ford F-150, 24% of the model year's 1,112 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (181 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-150 window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2005 Ford F-150, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-150 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.