2005 Ford F150 Transmission Problems: Here's Our List of Common Issues

The Ford F150 truck is a jewel model from Ford. In 2005, the F150 truck extended the 27-year legacy of being Ford's bestselling vehicle. This powerful truck affords the user great comfort, immense cargo capacity, toughness, and class. This American muscle car has won accolades and glowing reviews from all corners. But like every other vehicle on the road, the F150 has its fair share of problems.

F-150 automatic transmission highlights

• Average lifespan:150,000-180,000 miles
• Reliability Score:Low
• Prone to minor issues:Yes
• Price for repair after failure:$1,200-$1,500
• Price for replacement:$3,000-$4,500
• Availability of parts:Bad
• Common problems:jerking, poor torque converter, leaks, overheating, suddenn failure.

The 2005 Ford F150 transmission overview

The 2005 F150 falls under the eleventh generation of the F-series from Ford Motors. The 11th generation was around from 2004 to 2008. The F150 was also marketed as Lincoln Mark LT by Lincoln. The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator made during the same year are closely related to the Ford 150.

The transmission installed in the 2005 F150 can either be a 4-speed or a 5-speed gearbox. The 4R75E or the 4R70E transmission can be combined with the 4.2L Essex V6 engine, the more popular 4.6L Triton V8 engine, or the 5.4L Triton V engine. Ford made the 4.2L V6 F150 manual transmission available in 2005.

Ford Motors has invested heavily in making the F150 trounce and become a dream truck for young and old enthusiasts. It is a rear-wheel drive truck powered by 231 or 248 horsepower for the 4.6L engine, 210 Hp for the 4.2L, and 300 Hp for the 5.4L engine. The company upgraded and updated the transmission in the following years to help keep the F150 a top-of-the-range truck. 

The Ford F150 is a popular pick for drivers that have the stuff to haul or need a workhorse. The transmission is quite torquey, especially the 5-speed manual one. The truck does all the heavy hauling while ensuring the passengers enjoy maximum comfort. Even with all the jaw-dropping features of the 2005 F150, a few transmission issues make its star hazier.

The Ford F150 Transmission problems

1) The truck won't reverse

Many 2005 F150 owners have come forward concerning their trucks failing to reverse. As reported on several online forums, some drivers say there was no symptom prior to the reverse gear failing to engage. Other drivers report hearing a loud noise under the truck, while others report noticing a 'Trans Fault' on the dash first. The reverse gear issue may also include the 2nd gear failing or problematic to engage.

The F150 reverse gear problem is a leading problem affecting the 2005 model. Three factors are known to cause this problem:

• Dirty of low transmission fluid - In many cases, the 2005 F150 won't engage because the transmission fluid is either dirty or running low. This causes the transmission gears to fail to engage properly or at all.
• Faulty transmission components - There are lever and sensor components in the transmission which, if they fail, can make the reverse gear fail to engage. This issue is best identified using an ODB II, which will give you the correct error codes.
• A faulty transmission - The transmission can have internal damage that might require disassembling the whole transmission to solve the problem. The internal components of the transmission could be worn out, or the transmission fluid might have leaked, causing the transmission system to get damaged.

2) Lack of power after 1st - 2nd gear shift

The 2005 F150 can lack power after shifting the gear from the 1st to the 2nd. This is usually caused by the torque converter clutch (TCC) application giving erratic instructions. Both the 4R70E and the 4R75E transmissions are prone to this problem.

Engine braking may lack if the transmission to the 2nd gear is done manually. When the ball found inside the valve body that allows the TCC to engage 1-2 gear shifts wears out, this problem starts. Replacement of the ball should solve the problem.

3) Faulty Torque converter

The malfunction of the TC is another common issue affecting the 2005 F150. As stated above, its failure causes other issues, like the lack of power for the truck when shifting gears. The primary role of the TC is to convert engine power into a form that the vehicle's transmission can use.

Many 2005 F150 drivers have come forward about the TC failing. The main reason why this issue comes about is when the vehicle runs low on transmission fluid. Once this happens, the transmission will start slipping. It is for this reason you are advised to regularly check the transmission fluid. 

4) Broken transmission bands 

Transmission bands are made of steel and wrapped around the gear train's sections. The transmission bands connect the transmission housing and the gear train. As the bands tighten around the drum, the fluid is pushed out into the grooves around the band's surface.

The transmission bands join the different gears in the transmission to one another. When the transmission is neglected in maintenance, the transmission fluid runs low, and the bands wear. This causes the trans to slip. 

5) Slipping of gears

The F150 equipped with the 4R75E transmission has been reported to exhibit excessive slipping of forward gears. This problem is prevalent in the 2005-2006 F150. The gear tends to slip into neutral when doing a 3rd to 4th gear shift. When this happens, the transmission fluid will likely have a lot of metal shavings. The solution to the problem is to replace the forward clutch drum and update the ECU. 

How to maintain the F150 transmission

The 2005 F150 has won many accolades and is regarded as one of the best trucks produced that year. The transmission of this year for the truck is solid compared to the likes of the 10-gear transmission of 2017, which had numerous complaints and recalls. The 2005 F150 never got any serious transmission issues that would force Ford to issue a recall. This is not to say the highlighted issues affecting this model are any less frustrating and annoying. 

Tricks to employ to ensure that your 2005 F150 remains all-powerful and magnificent. 

• Regularly check transmission fluid - Many of the transmission issues affecting the 2005 F150 emanate from contaminated or low transmission fluid. The transmission fluid can be checked using a dipstick regularly, ensuring the engine stays healthy for many years.
• Flush the transmission - Many F150 drivers of the 2005 model report that their trucks fail to reverse or have difficulty doing so. A leading cause is dirty transmission fluid. Consult the service manual to know when and how the transmission should be flushed.
• Don't overload the vehicle - The F150 is a monster when it comes to towing. But when you tow more than the recommended weight, the engine and the transmission system strain and this causes transmission issues. In the case of the F150 XL, the recommended towing weight is 6,400 lbs.
• Let the engine warm before driving - You should allow the engine to warm up first to allow the engine oil and the transmission fluid to flow better, especially during winter.
• Use the right transmission fluid - The F150 engine uses a particular type of transmission fluid. The fluid specifics are indicated in the service manual, or you can ask the Ford dealer or a professional about it. The correct type of transmission fluid ensures the transmission components don't wear out prematurely, and that the transmission runs smoothly.

As noted above, the most common issue that dogs the all-powerful Ford F150 is the slippage of gears. This happens especially when upshifting from the 1st gear to the 2nd. Failure of reverse gear engaging is also something many 2005 F150 owners report. It is never easy or cheap to repair the transmission because, in almost all instances, you will require the services of an expert. 

The Ford F150 spare parts are not the cheapest, and before committing your money to buy the truck, consider the transmission issues affecting your preferred model. As the first owner of the truck, you most likely enjoyed driving the monster for tens of thousands without any transmission problems.

However, if you are considering buying a used 2005 F150, evaluate the above-highlighted transmission issues before writing that check. 

Conclusion

It goes without saying that the F150 is a formidable SUV and an all-road truck that has enthralled the hearts of many. Ford Company has equipped all the engines of the 2005 F150 with reliable transmission systems. You will rest easy knowing that the F150 of this year has never been recalled with regard to any issue relating to the transmission. 

We have looked into the various issues that affect the 2005 F150. The various online forums where owners of F150 report various issues affecting their trucks show that this is a sturdy vehicle to go for. It is, however, important that one considers the cost of repairing the highlighted transmission problems.