The frame of the vehicle is rusted through in multiple spots. When I picked the vehicle up on the lift the weight of the vehicle crushed the bottom side of the frame upward 1/2" upon inspection below the front doors where the frame is welded together it is also rusted through. While looking up recalls I found images and videos of other same generation F-150's that have the same problem. 1 video the entire bottom side of the frame from the engine to the front leaf spring mounts was rusted through. U-haul is aware of the issue and doesn't allow certain Ford vehicles to tow their trailers due to this issue. It's only a matter of time before the frames start breaking like the Toyota pickups and accidents start to come in.
2005 Ford F-150 body complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 77, newest first, as owners wrote them.
This and many other trucks of this generation have major frame rot issues due to the box frame. The rest of my truck looks excellent but the frame is so bad its most likely not repairable. I am not the only one with this major safety issue. Its only a 16 year old truck. Thankfully I have not towed or put a large load in the bed or else it could split in half. I wash my car seasonally and pressure wash off rust every spring. Yet the frame has rotted so badly they could not put it on a lift to do the alignment. I love this truck and I'm a big fan of the f150 line as a whole. Ford should take responsibility as Toyota has and fix their customers frames from this generation. I love ford but its always interesting walking through a parking lot and seeing every 04-08 f150 with major frame rot. Without fail every single one has that issue. Seems to me like they didn't properly galvanize and protect the steel. I am now needing to do a bed off frame restoration since no shop will take it on. This truck that should be going for $5k with this insane used car market. (August 3rd 2020) yet it is max $200 in scrap. Bad / cheap engineering should not be the owners responsibility. Yet that is what it has come to. It was most likely an honest unforseen mistake on their part. Overengineering the rigidity but ignoring the long term effects. Short term strength for log term pain as is commonly said with these trucks. I'm sure in a few years time these will just start breaking in half over bumps on the freeway. I beg and encourage ford to fix this before people die. I doubt ford wants another pr fiasco like the pinto. Hopefully they will do a cost analysis and realize that a recall is a much better option. Seem like 250-500k a pop for settlements for the most popular truck of all time is much much more than 5k per affected vehicle. Not including the long term dip in sales. So unless they want the other brands to win the truck war they gotta fix it. Tldr: a recall is cheaper than death.
Frame rusting terribly and frame cracking near drivers side forward leaf spring mount. Truck has only 128,000 miles. Do not haul or tow any where near the trucks capacity. Normal driving and minor off road use.
Purchased vehicle feb 2021 from private owner. Took vehicle in for servicing. Service department informed me that the oil change could not be completed, because they were afraid to place the vehicle on the lift due to the fact that it might split due to the frame being rusted completely through. Further, I was told that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the extensive corrosion of the frame on both the passenger and driver side. I was informed that at any time, if I hit a bump or was hit from behind, the vehicle would fold in half. Complaint id #: odi 11413329
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. The contact stated that he learned that his vehicle was severely rusted on the passenger's and driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was rusted from the middle of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a certified mechanic as well as two body shops who stated that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
Complete frame under trunk is rusted to where the frame is getting ready to break in half I have looked at several other of the same make and model and they have the same similar problems so I'm not as bad as others but 90% of them are not safe to drive I live in the area there's not a lot of salt nore sand if this was a problem with just my vehicle I would understand but since it is a problem with a lot of these trucks something needs to be done buy ford manufactures.
Went to have truck lined up and was told it had rusted the frame almost into in the rear. In more than one place.
Had vehicle towed to a repair garage to have starter replaced.according to repair tech.while lifting truck a lot of cracking sound s inspection of frame reviled excessive rusting and cracks .they called and told me truck was un safe to use.have bills with statements made by repair shop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the local dealer mel ervin ford located at 15455 oakley rd, chesaning, mi 48616, it was discovered that the sub frame of the vehicle experienced rusting and corrosion under the cabin section of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. After replacing the tires on the vehicle, the contact heard a cracking noise when the vehicle was placed on a lift. The independent mechanic confirmed the frame was rusted through to the point that it was unsafe to place on the lift. The vehicle was taken back to frederick motor company (1 waverley dr, frederick, md 21702, (800) 734-9118). The contact was informed that they could not assist since the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 57,000.*bf
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle's frame was corroded, which caused the transmission line to become defective. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the transmission line was replaced. The contact was informed by the mechanic that, due to the corrosion, other parts of the vehicle could become defective. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The entire frame is rusting out. Everywhere I look theres rust. All of the cross frame from front to back down sides and across bottom of bed and where floor boards attach like was expensive truck ford has to know
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have front and rear shocks installed. The mechanic informed the contact that due to the severe rust damage to the subframe, it was not recommended to have the shocks replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle would not pass state inspection within the next few months. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. *ln
Extensive main frame rail rust rending truck unsafe to drive now. Started around 2010.
Bought truck least week took in for a oil change and was told that the front half shaft is rotten to the point it's pitting. The steering shaft is rusted out and the majority of the frame is rusted out near where all the important parts of the vehicle are held in place. As I do research on this problem I'm finding it is a common problem. The truck only has 61000 miles on it and it shouldn't have this much wear on the body of the truck. Ford really needs to look into a recall because there are thousands of trucks with this same issue. I have never owned a ford and never will again. The car is basically worthless and it's a matter of time when it rusts all the way thru. Stationary issue. I don't have any photos as of right now. I will be taking more the oil shop has pictures that he showed me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. While driving 55 MPH, the rear frame detached and was rotted out. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tony betten and sons ford (3839 plainfield ave ne, grand rapids, mi 49525, (616) 363-6841), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was 151,678.
Two mechanics and one autobody technician inspected the truck and reported that the chassis is heavily corroded throughout for the vehicle's age and is not safe for towing. One mechanic reported that the rear end of the truck would require over $1,000 of welded steel reinforcements to make truck towe worthy. Also gas tank can fell due to the tank holder streeps are attached to the corroted chassis.
I notice numerous of f 150 like mine paint on hood and cab fading. All the rest of the body paint is great. There should be a recall on these items.ford should let customers bring truck in for a touch up or paint job.
I have a 2005 f150 fx4 that I bought in 2010. In 2017 with the truck being 12 years old. I had to remove the vehicle from the road because of frame rot! This was my baby and taken well care of. Both sides in front of the rear axle are rotted out to the point a jack just goes right through them. The inspection failed because if they would have lifted it, it would have folded in half. Also has a broken front left coil spring. I should have a vehicle worth around 8-10 grand that is going to sell for scrap metal priced. Why are american auto maker not held responsible for making defective vehicles? My previous vehicle was an 199o toyota tacoma that had a frame rot recall and mine was spotless. Fast forward, bought an american made vehicle that cost me 15 grand and got 6 and a half years out of and no one holding ford responsible! Sickening!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford-f150. The contact stated that the frame was rusted to the point that it could not be repaired. The rust could prevent the vehicle from passing inspection. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Extensive frame rust compromising vehicle integrity. Cracked frame.
Frame on f150 is rusting through causing frame to become vulnerable to breaking. Rusting and cracking taking place between back of cab and rear wheel mounts. Found during oil change at ford dealership and body shop did not even want to provide estimate to fix due to complexity of fix and legal implications.
I own a 2005 ford f-150 4x4 extended cab with just over 60,000 mi. For its age, the truck is in pretty nice shape except for the frame, it's gone, rusted! There is a section between the cab & engine bay that you can put your fingers through, not one but several fingers, let alone in other areas though out the frame that are also rotted through. It's a boxed frame with no inside coating made with what I read elsewhere was cheep steel, won't mention where from, but not us steel. Yes I live in ne, and it has tasted salt from the roads, but I also kept it clean all winter long. I paid a lot for this truck, bought it new and now feel that I have been cheated. I am now on my third new ford truck, a 2018, and I'm afraid to walk buy it with a salt shaker in my hand. My first was a 1984 f-250 that I drove for 21 years, put 100,000 miles on it, sold it in 05, and is still on the road to this day on it's third owner. I know where it lives. I'm reading on line that this is happening to a lot of these trucks, let alone I believe ford has already replaced frames in a mini van for this same reason. I also have a few pictures. There is a pic just showing the underside, which for the most part is in good shape, a little surface rust, no through rot. Now the frame pics, another story. These trucks also have an issue with the exhaust manifold as to where the bolts holding it in place rot out and now you have a noisy exhaust leak truck that has to have its motor taken out to have that repaired, got that going on also. Thank you for your time, from a not so happy ford owner ps: when I bought my new truck, nov of 2017, they evaluated my 05 for a trade in, which I wasn't going to do anyway, they only offered me $3000 on what I thought was a good truck, foiled again!
Paint on the roof and back of the cab is flaking off.
Premature frame corrosion and rust failure, during recent routine maintenance, my mechanic informed me that the frame on the rear half of my 2005 ford f-150 had rusted under the bed and rear wheel wells to the point of failure where the frame would no longer support the weight of the vehicle on his lift. Rust thru holes and longitudinal cracks had formed on the bottom and side frame surfaces at the stress point before the rear wheel bend. This seems extremely unusual because the truck has been generally been garage kept and maintained in good mechanical condition. The exterior body only exhibits light spots of surface rust on the visible body panels. Providing no hints of the degradation occurring below. My mechanic has told me that catastrophic failure of the frame structure was imminent and that the vehicle was no longer safe to drive. Which in itself is concerning in that I had been totally unaware of the vehicle's deteriorating condition. Had I not taken the vehicle in for maintenance I would likely continued driving the vehicle until one day being totally surprised when the back half of my truck separated from the front.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the exhaust pipe detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was discovered that the entire subframe of the vehicle was rusted and corroded, including the damaged exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe was repaired, but the subframe was not. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the local dealer was not. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Frame on my 2005 f-150 is rotted and has become a safety concern.
There is a current recall for this same issue but its till 2004, but should be expanded. I have a 2005 f150 with the same issues as a 2004 f150 and the chassis suffers from massive corrosion. My truck is deemed unsafe to drive. The frame is rotting through and very dangerous to drive. It can separate at any time. The truck only has 88k miles and it could separate at anytime. If involved in an accident it can be fatal. The federal safety agency you need to investigate and recall this serious issue right away and save peoples lives.
When changing the brakes on my 2005 f150 I found the frame completely rusted thru the exterior is in great shape with minimal corrosion.
Frame rusted and cracked, 72,000 miles. I'm the original owner. Note, all other underbody components appear normal for age and miles; though I don't have too much faith in rear drive shaft. Location is in front leaf spring attachment bracket adjacent to fuel tank.
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