2005 Ford F-150: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Engine · 360,000 miles · KY · fire

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, while the brake pedal was depressed, the brakes failed to engage; the contact pulled the vehicle into a Home Depot parking lot, exited the vehicle, and discovered that the engine compartment was on fire. The Home Depot employees came out to the vehicle and extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher. The Fire Department and Police Department were contacted; however, the contact was unsure if a report was filed for either department. The orgin of the fire was not confirmed however, the fire department informed that timing was critical because any longer the fire would have caused an explosion. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence, and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 360,000.Â

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 114,000 miles · AL · fire

Fuse 14 controlling ABS module, dtr sensor, reverse lights, pcv heater, air conditioner compressor, cruise control deactivator switch and daytime headlights was repeatedly blowing. Truck was serviced by dealer on 3-23-16, replacing the A/C compressor. Replacing the A/C compressor did not resolve any issues. The truck was returned to the dealer on 4-6-16 for the same issue with the same fuse. The dealership replaced the fuse and performed diagnostic tests on the truck, then informing me that they could not diagnose or locate the short. The dealership informed me that I would have to drive the truck until the fuse started blowing more frequently. The first time the truck was driven after work was performed the cruise control was not functioning properly. The truck engine would surge as the truck went down the road with the cruise control on. The issue with the cruise control happened on 4-9-16. On the morning of 4-10-16 the truck was driven approximately 4 miles and parked in the drive of my home. After entering the house the alarm was heard sounding on the vehicle, at which time I stepped outside to find the truck on fire. The fire seemed to have started on the inside of the truck.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 175,000 miles · KY · fire

On the morning of march 5th 2015 I started my truck to warm the inside and also melt the snow off my windshield. I got in the truck and backed out away from house. Due to having snow on the driveway I turned on the 4 wheel drive in high. My four wheel drive would not work so I tried to swicth to 2 wheel drive back to four wheel drive but the 4 wheel drive would not turn on. I grabbed the gear shift to put the truck back in park when I noticed my gear shift could float to park to 1st gear freely and would not shift. At this time I noticed smoke starting to come inside cab from under dash and thru the vents. I jumped out and opened the hood. A 1 foot section of a wiring harnes mounted to the firewall had caught fire. I made attempts to put out the fire but within a few seconds the engine compartment was engulfed. In 2 to 3 minutes the entire inside of the cab was also completely on fire. My wife who was watching me immediatly called 911 to get the fire department. After 3 minutes the truck was already a total lose. Due to the truck being only 60' from my house and burning so hot I was concerned about my house catching fire. Two gentleman from the rescue squad arrived but it was too late for anything to be done. I was able to get a backhoe and put the fire out with snow. Unfortunately I had liability insurance only which meant a total lose. I never dreamed that the truck would burn up sitting in my driveway!!!! I know there have been some recalls for f150 due to fire hazards with the cruise control for other year model close to 2005. A vehicle catching fire while its sitting in a driveway running is totally unacceptable. The truck was in excellent shape and had no after market parts or work performed. I have no ideal why the wiring harness caught fire.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Engine · 93,000 miles · NC · fire

I had just changed the oil and checked the fluids and had to run some errands up town about a mile and a half up the road the engine started making a knocking noise, I was close enough to the garage I use so I pulled in there to see what was going on the oil pan was on fire oil and what looked like anti freeze was coming out of a hole from what use to be the oil pan or what was left of the pan, the fellow that ran the station told me it had hydro locked and bent a rod and pushed it thru the oil pan, he went on to say he had seen several of the 4.2 do this and it looked like ford would have done something when they were aware of the problems with the 4.2,I talked to ford about it and got the run around from them, just couldn't believe it I had never pulled or hauled any heavy objects or mistreated it in any way, don't understand when the powers that be were aware of the problem with this engine the consumer was left holding the bag to a tune of thousands of dollars in repairs, now got to do with out to try and save the money to get it fixed, mostly used the truck to get my wife back and forth to the dr. She has m/s and a heart condition, the poor always catch it if there was anything to ford they would make it good and the same goes for the federal safety agency they know the problem is there just look at the ford forms, but god always makes a way just have to wait and see what his plan are, alot of folks like us have no family so we take care of or trucks, it sure wasn't abuse that cause the problem.

Filed May 19, 2012 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · DE · fire

The truck has been back to ford many times for draining the battery. If it is parked for 2 to 3 days I would have to jump start it. The dealers could not find the problem and keep replacing the battery. After it was out of warranty paid out of my own pocket to find the problem still could not find. I have a video of the truck in12/11 of the heater/defroster running after the truck was parked for 3 hours with no keys in the truck. On 5/16/2012 the truck was parked in my driveway and caught fire under the dash.

Filed Mar 5, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 78,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, a loud pop noise was heard and the vehicle erupted into flames. The vehicle caused extensive damage to a commercial building in which it was parked near. The police were contacted and a police report was filed. The fire department did not determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. Updated 03/28/12 *bf updated 03/30/12

Filed Sep 17, 2011 · Body, Electrical · 52,032 miles · IN · fire

The truck was not running. When the door was opened the flames , from the burning seat shot up and burnt the carpet and door panel , before it could be put out. The controls on the seat were completely melted. It still has a smell of an electrical fire.

Filed Aug 27, 2010 · Acceleration · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f150. The contact was driving approximately 5 -10 MPH when he smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was maneuvered off the roadway and the engine began to exhibit an unusually high increase in engine rpms. Suddenly, a fire ignited from underneath the hood. The engine was turned off and the contact immediately extinguished the heavy flames until the fire department arrived to assist. The entire front end of the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the fire was not determined. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 13, 2010 · Engine · 35,000 miles · IN · fire · 3 injuries

The f-150 was parked in the carport attached to my son's house. It had been parked and not running for at least 3 hours. A passerby noticed the truck on fire and tried to wake all occupants in the house(duplex). At 5 a.m on 9/11/2008. My son never left the house. His body was found just inside the house by the carport door. The fire was coming from someplace in the engine compartment. Due to my sons employment with the military at that time and living on post there has been extensive investigation into this incident. I can supply further data when asked. I hadn't been allowed to see any of the investigative info until the military completed their investigation. That is the reason for the long delay in reporting this incident.

Filed Apr 1, 2010 · Brakes · 72,599 miles · FL

Was driving my 2005 f-150 elt on 4 lane divided highway at approx 65-70 MPH. When applied the brakes felt slight pull to the right. Began smelling strong odor once entered town and was slowed to 35 MPH. Drove another 2-3 miles to home and smell intensified. Once exited the truck saw smoke coming from the driversfront tire. Front wheel was also extremely hot, was unable to touch it.

Filed Aug 26, 2009 · Lights · 53,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford f150. The contact stated his vehicle caught fire. The light bulb in the console where the shift lever is located fell out on the inside and burned a hole through the side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired and the bulb was replaced. Contact did not know his VIN number. The failure mileage was 53,000. Bl

Filed May 12, 2009 · Engine · 69,500 miles · CA

Regarding: 2005 ford f 150 truck purchased new from dealer, has been having problems with stalling. It has stalled in reverse and while driving on freeway. It is very dangerous. I almost got into an accident today on the freeway, which is why I am taking the time to look into this matter. I also know a few people with the same problem and have also seen many postings online for this issue. Many people have been injured in accidents and many trucks have caught on fire. All have started with these same problems. Ford recognized this problem until the made year of 2004. I do believe it also a problem with 2005, and maybe with other years. This really needs to be checked into. I have had my truck looked at by a mechanic, and he is not sure of the problem. I see a lot of problems with ford and fuel injectors and cruise control with my year of truck, but no recalls. This is a serious matter and I would appreciate that it be handled responsibly.