Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford F-350 SD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle would often fail to start and once started, black smoke would emit from the exhaust pipe as the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the problem but replaced the fuel injection control module and fuel injector number four but to no avail. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the short block was cracked. The manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 05V270000 (electrical system:wiring). The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.
Vehicle stall/die while driving without any warning. When the vehicle dies, unable to turn the steering wheel and no power at all. Have a recall number 05s34, but Ford dealership won't repair it because my VIN isn't on recall. What should I do next?
I have a 2005 Ford f-350 with approximately 50,000 miles on it. Over the past 4 months my truck has been not starting after it has been driven and occasionally stalling while being driven. I have had the cam sensor, crank sensor, & fuel sending unit all replaced to no avail. I brought it to the Ford dealer and they were unable to "reproduce the not starting", told me to change all filters to Ford brand and change the oil. After spending $350 on just filters the truck is still broken, I can not drive it. There is a campaign for this problem #05V270000, unfortunately Ford says they can not fix my vehicle because my VIN# was not included. I had a friend look at my truck who has a computer to look up the codes, while the truck is plugged in. He reproduced the not starting while the computer was plugged in and the code came up for the ficm which is what the recall from NHTSA is for. …
Driving over a mountain pass in the snow, coming downhill at approximately 5% grade when the throttle became non-responsive. Very soon after the truck died completely-no power steering and no power brakes in snowy conditions. I managed to get the truck to the side of the road but wasn't able to get more than 6" off the fog line due to the snow. I was very lucky that an accident did not occur because roadway conditions were not good and the situation could have had drastic consequences. I was also very lucky that my wife was following close behind me and we were able to 1) get cell phone service on the pass and 2) wait for the tow truck in the other vehicle. We ended up waiting on the side of the road for 2 hrs in the dark waiting for a tow truck with my wife and three daughters and no food. Finally got the truck towed to the dealership on a Sunday and waited for them to open today. …
July 1, 2006 at approximately 10:30 am, I was traveling on I-81 at 65 MPH towing a 9,000 lb. Trailer and the truck stalled without warning. No check engine light and no hesitation. It simply died. Without power brakes or steering, the truck was completely uncontrollable. Luckily, we were on a section of highway with wide shoulders and light traffic. The truck died so suddenly that I couldn't even pull to the shoulder. The truck came to a complete stop in the left lane and would not restart. Drivers behind me swerved to the should to avoid a collision. The dealer did not find a problem and did nothing to prevent this situation from occurring again. After the truck sat at the dealer for 2 days (over the weekend), it started for the technician on the following Monday. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f350 SD. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH on a nine degree upgrade mountainous road. Unexpectedly, the wrench symbol warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel with a reduction in the engine power. Immediately, the vehicle was taken to a nearby dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was related to a broken wire in the electronic brakes. The technician secured the wire with tape. The identical failures recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions which there were no resolutions. NHTSA recall campaign id number 05V270000 (electrical system:wiring) was related to the failure. The VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and was unable to provide assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000.
The past three years we have had our Ford 350 superduty truck in the shop due to the "tow haul" light would come on. Last year it had stalled on me while crossing intersection at a four way stop. It did not happen until approx. Three weeks ago, the truck has stalled several times while driving without warning. It took the local dealer a week to find out that it was the fuel injection control module wire harness. If there was a recall on the 2003-2004 why is Ford not fixing our 2005 that is also stalling while driving it. And they could not really find the problem why the tow haul light was coming on often. Ford company told the local Ford service that they will not replace the parts free and the local Ford service told us that they would cut $400 off of $1700.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f350 SD. While driving at the speeds of 65mph , the vehicle lost power without any warning.the contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The failure continued to happen, also while driving the contact noticed that there was black smoke coming from the tail pipe. The dealer was contacted and they stated that it was the fuel injection control module that need to be replaced.the dealer stated that her vehicle was not included in recall :NHTSA campaign id number: 05V270000 component: electrical system:wiring ,even though the vehicle had experienced the failure. There had been no repairs. The failure and current mileage was 216,289.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350 super duty. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle would not restart. The contact had to apply starting fluid in order to start the vehicle. The failure was experienced approximately three times. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 05V270000 (electrical system: wiring) but did not confirm with the manufacturer if the vehicle was included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system wiring had malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired with a new wiring harness. The failure and the current mileage was 120,000.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Ford f-350 SD. While driving 65 MPH, the contact lost control of the steering and the vehicle swerved all over the road. When driving over rough pavement, a bridge expansion, or a slight bump, the steering worsens. He has taken the vehicle to the dealer four times and was informed that the tires needed to be rotated, the bushing needed to be changed, and the tire pressure was incorrect. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 36,674 and failure mileage was 10,000. The engine light illuminated. Updated 02-12-08
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
Certain pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans equipped with 6.0l diesel engines May experience stalling without warning while driving and May or May not restart.
Remedy: Dealers will upgrade the fuel injection control module (ficm) wire harness or replaced, and/or have a new injection control pressure (icp)) sensor connector installed free of charge. The recall began on July 22, 2005.
Electrical complaints in other F-350 SD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Ford F-350 SD?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Ford F-350 SD, 13% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford F-350 SD electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-270 (wiring, Jun 10, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford F-350 SD electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.