Do you drive a 2005 Ford F-150? If so, then you should be aware of the number of safety recalls that have been issued by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration over the years. While many of these recalls affect only aftermarket parts, it’s a good idea to check and see if your vehicle may be affected by any open recall notice.
Premature Tire Wear
The first recall issued on the 2005 Ford F-150 affects the tires on up to 34,396 trucks. With this recall, it was found that certain Continental and General Grabber brand tires installed as original and replacement tires on the 2005 F-150 may experience premature wear. These tires thus fail to adhere to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards for pneumatic tires. Furthermore, driving on tires with premature wear could result in poor handling or tire failure, which can increase the risk of crash or cause damage to the vehicle itself.
The tire supplier, Continental, will replace all tired affected by this recall free of charge.
Instrument Cluster Error
Another recall was issued on the 2005 F-150 by the NHTSA in February of 2006. This recall, which affects up to 211,432 trucks, involves the interior lighting system. Specifically, it was discovered that on some vehicles, a software error in the instrument cluster may prevent the vehicle’s antilock brake system (ABS) warning light from coming on in the event of a problem with the ABS system. This, in turn, could allow drivers to unknowingly continue driving with a faulty ABS system, which may increase the risk of a crash.
On all recalled vehicles, Ford dealers will recalibrate the instrument cluster and fix the software glitch to ensure proper instrument cluster lighting.
Amber Side Reflectors
Several separate but similar recalls were issued on the 2005 F-150 between March of 2006 and May of 2009, with the total number of vehicles affected being in the hundreds of thousands. With these recalls, it was discovered that some Anzo brand headlight assemblies were manufactured without amber side reflectors, which are designed to make a vehicle more visible to other drivers in dark conditions. Without these reflectors, these headlights fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards and may increase the risk of a crash due to poor illumination.
It is worth noting that these headlights were sold as replacements for the 2005 F-150 and were not original manufacturer parts. Still, the supplier is replacing the headlights on all affected vehicles at no charge with new headlights that have the required amber side reflectors in place.
Similar recalls were also issued on certain AAI Motorsports, Tradesonic, and Dope Inc. replacement headlights.
Fuel Filter Connection
In a June 2006 recall on the Ford F-150, a fuel system defect was discovered that could impact as many as 58,640 vehicles. With this recall, it was found that some aftermarket Purolator brand fuel filters have a poor design that may prevent the quick connectors from properly seating with the tube interface, even when it looks and feels like the connection is secure. With a poor connection, a fuel leak could occur, which can create a fire hazard.
This recall is also related only to aftermarket parts and does not affect any of the original equipment sold on the F-150. The supplier is replacing the fuel filters on all affected vehicles at no charge.
Trailer Assembly Adapters
Another aftermarket parts recall was issued for the 2005 Ford F-150 in August of 2007. This recall, which only affects up to 175 vehicles, pertains to certain Cequent brand towing angle adapters. With this recall, it was found that improper harness wiring could prevent the trailer lights from functioning properly, which could increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Fortunately, this issue was discovered while the affected trailer assembly adapters were still at the distributor and before they were installed on any vehicles, so no action needs to be taken by F-150 owners.
Replacement Headlights
In September of 2007, the NHTSA issued a recall on 2,388 vehicles with certain Eagle Eyes replacement headlights after it was discovered that the thickness of the headlight covers inhibits the performance of the upper and lower light beams. This, in turn, prevents these headlights from conforming to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards and can create unsafe driving conditions due to a decrease in lighting visibility. Poor visibility when driving, especially in dark conditions, may also increase the risk of a crash.
The supplier, Eagle Eyes, is offering reimbursement on replacement headlights for all affected vehicles. This recall affects only aftermarket parts, however, and not the 2005 F-150’s original manufacturer headlights.
Brake Booster Vacuum Supply Tube
Another recall was issued on the 2005 F-150 in May of 2008. This recall, which affects more than 600,000 F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT models, was issued as a result of a braking/hydraulic system issue on vehicles equipped with 5.4L engines. On affected vehicles, the brake booster vacuum supply hose (which attacks to the intake manifold) can swell over time, making it prone to losing retention force and eventually detaching from the intake manifold completely. Once the tube detaches and the vacuum reserve becomes depleted, braking performance may be significantly affected, which can increase the risk of a crash.
On all recalled vehicles, Ford will replace the rubber hose on the brake booster with a new tube assembly to remedy the issue.
Driver Airbag Deployment
In February of 2011, the NHTSA issued a recall on more than 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks and Lincoln Mark LT models. On affected vehicles, the clockspring jumper wire located inside the steering wheel airbag assembly can become damaged over time, thus increasing the risk of a short circuit. If a short circuit occurs, the driver airbag could inadvertently deploy while the vehicle is in motion and increase the risk of injury and/or crash.
Ford will replace the driver airbag jumper cable on all recalled vehicles. A protective mesh cover will also be placed over each jumper cable to reduce the risk of damage.
