2005 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 568 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 27 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 20 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
164 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Feb 24, 2014
THERE'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, THE 7 X 55 PANEL, THE ONE WITH THE FORD LOGO IN IT. IT CRACKS. IT DID IT TWICE ON OURS, WE REPLACED IT ONCE COSTING US $500. OUR REPAIRMAN SAID HE'S SEEN THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MANY FORD'. WE LOOKED INTO IT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER EXPERTS AGREE ON THE DEFECT. THE FIRST TIME WE TRIED TO BRING ATTENTION TO FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY BLEW US OFF, NOT EVEN HAVING THE COURTESY TO GET OUR LETTER TO THE PERSON IT WAS ADDRESSED. AS HUMAN NATURE, FORD TRIED TO MANIPULATE THE PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION ACTUALLY CONVINCING THEMSELVES AND TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WE LIKE TO KEEP ALL OUR STUFF NICE BUT CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE DOESN?T LOOK NICE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO THROW AWAY OUR MONEY ON A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. AGAIN, IT IS DEFECTIVE, ANYONE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE INDUSTRY AND BODYWORK, WITH ANY SENSE, CAN REALIZE THE PROBLEM. ON OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO PROPOSE FORD?S RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM WE DIDN?T DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME WE?RE READY TO GO AT IT IN FULL FORCE (ATTORNEY GENERAL, BBB, LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS, AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION) IF FORD DOESN?T FIND A FAIR WAY TO COMPENSATE US. THE ISSUE BEING THE FIRST PANEL BEING DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED ALLOWING US TO DRIVE AROUND IN A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; REPLACING THE PRODUCT FOR $500 WHICH STILL HAD THE ISSUE AND ONCE AGAIN WE?RE DRIVING AROUND WITH A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; RESALE VALUE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION IN HOPEFULLY RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Feb 24, 2014
I AM THE 1 AND ONLY OWNER OF 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, AND THE REAR UPPER TAILGATE HAS A VERTICAL CRACK RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD LOGO THAT SPANS FROM WINDOW TO BASE 2CM IN WIDTH. *TR
Structure, Feb 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Jan 13, 2014
DRIVER SIDE FRONT EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD BEEN BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. ON THE LAST PULL TO GET IN, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE THE DRIVER. *TR
Structure, Dec 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TAIL SILL PLATE ON THE LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Structure, Nov 5, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE LIFT GATE UNDER THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Structure, Nov 4, 2013
THERE IS A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTING UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. LENGTH OF ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES. JUST SEEMED TO APPEAR. WAS NOT THERE ONE DAY THEN THERE THE NEXT. *TR
Structure, Nov 4, 2013
CRACK UNDER REAR WINDOW ON REAR HATCH DOOR. *TR
Structure, Oct 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FENDER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE RUST SO THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE WHAT CAUSED THE RUST BUT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW METAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FENDER REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Structure, Oct 20, 2013
2005 FORD EXPLORER: I AM WORRYING ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORERS REAR END AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE TO BE REAR ENDED. THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED: I SHUT THE TAILGATE AND THE AREA ABOVE AND BELOW THE EXPLORER EMBLEM CRACKED VERTICALLY. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR AND HERS CRACKED EXACTLY LIKE MINE A YEAR AGO. NOW I JUST SAW AN EXPLORER PARKED AT THE STORE AND IT WAS CRACKED TOO!!! *TR
Structure, Oct 9, 2013
HTTP://WWW.TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/967-FORD-DEFECTIVE-CRACKED-TAILGATE-CLASS-ACTION. *TR
Structure, Oct 3, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Structure, Sep 30, 2013
I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND THERE IS A CRACK IN THE BACK ON THE HATCH THIS IS NOT ONLY ON MY VEHICLE THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE FROM THE YEAR 2000 AND UP THAT HAVE THE SAME CRACK IN THE BACK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED I CALL FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO CONTACT THE NHSM I FEEL THAT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND THERE ARE SO MANY FORD EXPLORERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME THING I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD FIX THIS. *TR
Structure, Aug 15, 2013
FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW THE PAINT PEALING OFF THE BODY AFTER WASHING IT, FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLES, AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING FIGHT WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT THEY WILL ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY THAT IT WAS A BAD PAINT JOB. AND THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THERE WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Jul 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH BACK PANEL DEVELOPED A FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Structure, Jun 21, 2013
DRIVER SIDE HINGE DISCONNECTED,THE BOLT WAS MISSING. THE SHIFTING, UNBALANCE WEIGHT CAUSED PASSENGER SIDE HINGE TO CRACK. THE WINDOW FELL STRIKING THE BACK OF THE HEAD OF THE OWNER,UNLOCKING AND REACHING IN TO THE CARGO SPACE. A SMALL CHILD WAS WITH HER WHO COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED,. HAD THIS TOP OF THE LIFTGATE FALLEN OFF IN TRAFFIC IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY AND CAR DAMAGE. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAVE BEEN FILED AND RECALLS WERE IN EFFECT FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS. *TR
Structure, Jun 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE PANEL AROUND THE REAR GLASS OF THE LIFTGATE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Jun 5, 2013
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS WAS CRACK FOR NO REASON, JUST BECAUSE THE TEMPERATURE WAS 90S. WE HAVE OTHER CARS AND ALL ARE FINE. I BELIEVE IS THE METAL WHERE THE REAR MIRROR IS MOUNTED. BASED ON MY FORENSIC CLASS, CARS HAVE A LEAST 3 COATS OF PAINT, PRIMER, THE COLOR AND THE CLEAR COAT, THIS CAR ONLY HAS TWO COATS OF PAINT. *TR
Structure, Apr 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *TR
Structure, Apr 20, 2013
2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR PLASTIC TAILGATE PANEL CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AROUND FORD OVAL EMBLEM. *TR
Structure, Apr 1, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE FRACTURE UNDER THE REAR EXTERIOR LIFTGATE WINDOW PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,976. *TR.....UPDATED 05/09/13 *BF UPDATED 06/10/2013 *JS
Structure, Mar 11, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,300.
Structure, Mar 2, 2013
BELOW REAR WINDOW, TOP HATCH CRACK OUT OF NO WHERE. REASON FOR FILING COMPLAINT IS I JUST SAW ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD THE SAME CRACK. *TR
Structure, Feb 26, 2013
THE PANEL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW CRACKED THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. APPROXIMATELY 8 INCH CRACK. I HAVE SINCE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND A MERCURY SUV WITH THE SAME CRACK. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS A PROBLEM WHICH THEY ARE NOT MAKING GOOD ON. *TR
Structure, Feb 26, 2013
THE PAINT IN THE VALLEYS ON THE ROOF HAS ALL FLAKED OFF AND IS RUSTING. PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO AND FIRST NOTICED IT LAST YEAR. *TR